| The Evening Bulletin. (Maysville, Ky.) 1887-1905, May 22, 1894 | RAILROAD AND CITY AT WAR. |
|---|
| An Officer Beaten to Death and Several Other People Injured. |
| Oklahoma City, O. T., May 22. -- Great excitement prevails over the capture of a Rock Island train by officers of the city of Enid for violation of the city ordinance against running faster than six miles an hour within the city limits. In a fight between the crew of the train and the city officers, one of the officers was beaten to death with a couplingpin in the hands of a trainman. The Enid authorities retaliated for alleged discrimination by passing the ordinance. A freight train, running 30 miles an hour through the city, was compelled to stop by an accidental breaking of a coupling. The officers boarded tho train for the purpose of arresting the crew. A fight ensued between the trainmen and officers, couplingpins, clubs and revolvers being freely used. During the fight the train started again, carrying three officers who were trying to arrest the train men. The officers were overpowered and ejected, bruised and bleeding at the next stop. One of them has since died of his injuries. There is strong talk of using dynamite. The company will be held responsible for its acts by the Enid officers. |
| Perrysburg Journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, May 26, 1894 |
| KILLED BY A TRAIN CREW. |
| Fight Between Officers at Enid, O. T., and Rock Island Men. |
| Oklahoma City. O. T., May 21. -- Great excitement prevails over the capture of a Rock Island train by officers of the city of Enid for violation of the city ordinance against running faster than 6 miles an hour within the city limits. A fight occurred between the crew of the train and city officers, in which one of the officers was beaten to death with a coupling pin in the hands of a trainman. The railway company has refused to stop trains at Enid because of a preference for North Enid, 2 miles distant, where the company owns much property. The Enid authorities retaliated by passing the ordinance. A freight train running 30 miles an hour was passing through the city when a link pin broke and the caboose came to a standstill. The officers boarded the train for the purpose of arresting the crew. A fight ensued between the trainmen and officers, coupling pins, clubs and revolvers being freely used. During the progress of the fight the engineer backed down and the caboose was attached to the train, the throttle was thrown open and the train went tearing away, carrying three officers who were trying to arrest the trainmen. The officers were overpowered and ejected, bruised and bleeding, at Hennessey, the next stop. One of them has since died of his injuries. |
| The Evening Bulletin. (Maysville, Ky.) 1887-1905, June 06, 1894 |
| A Mayor Fails |
| South Enid, O.T., June 6. -- James O. Fuqua, mayor of this city, has failed, attachments aggregating $8,000 having been served upon him. His failure has caused the Farmers and Merchants Bank, of which he was president, to temporarily close its door. Is is said that all liabilities will be met. |
| St. Paul Daily Globe. (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, June 19, 1894 |
| Enid Townsite -Fight. |
| North Enid, Okla., June 18. -- Jacob Guthrie, president of the North Enid town camp, has issued a proposition to the citizens of the government townsite to remove every building in South Enid to North Enid and. give i every citizen the same number of lots in North Enid with warranty deed if the citizens of South Enid would join with North Enid in building up one town and bring the fight to a close. A meeting of the citizens of South Enid has been called, and the famous town fight may be ended. |
| The Morning Call. (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, June 24, 1894 |
| BLEW UP A BRIDGE. |
| Round Pond Residents Still Harassing the Railroad. |
| North Enid, O. T., June 23. -- The south bound passenger - train was passing through Round Pond last night, when several shots were fired into it without damage. A short time afterward a bridge was blown up with dynamite and 300 feet of the track torn up. The Rock Island brought suit in the Oklahoma District Court against individuals in Round Pond to recover damages of $75,000 for the wreck two weeks ago, and the blowing up of the bridge last night was no doubt for revenge. |
| The Morning Call. (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, June 26, 1894 |
| GETTING MORE SERIOUS. |
| Round Pond Rioters Bombard a Passenger Train. |
| North Enid, O. T., June 25. -- The trouble at Round Pond is getting more serious. Last night a mob attacked the south bound passenger train with a hot fusillade of bullets. More than a hundred shots were fired. Mr. Fossett of Kingfisher, standing on a car platform, had his hat shot off and received scalp wounds. Another passenger was struck in the throat by the bullet. A newspaperman named Johnson was hit in the leg with a heavy charge of buckshot. The Deputy Marshals did not fire a shot. Marshal Nix says all the power of the Territory will be required to put down lawlessness. |
| Fort Worth Gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, June 26, 1894 |
| LAWLESS AT ROUND POND |
| Several Persons Received Wounds Yesterday |
| North Enid, O. T., June 25. -- The trouble at Round Pond is getting more serous every hour. The presence of United States marshals has not had the quieting effect desired. The crowd of citizens blew out the cattle guards on the outskirts of the town Saturday night and warped the rails so that trains could not pass for several hours. That trains were not ditched is due to the vigilance of the deputy
marshals. Last night three people were shot. The mob attacked the
southbound passenger train that came through the town flying, with a hot fusillade of bullets from their Winchesters. More than a hundred shots were fired at the train and some of the cars were perforated. A Mr Fossett of Kingfisher, who was standing on the platform had his hat shot off and received a slight scalp wound, and another passenger was struck in the throat by a bullet. Johnson a news dealer of Round Pond was hit in the leg with a heavey charge of buckshot. During this delay the deputy marshals did not fire a shot. Marshal Nix said he wished It possible to avoid a conflict which would surely result in considerable loss of life. Marshal Nix is here today and says all the power of the Territory will he required to put down the lawlessness in Round Pond. |
| Fort Worth Gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, June 28, 1894 |
| BLOODSHED FEARED |
| Rock Island Asks Marshal for Protection |
| Special Dispatch. |
| Guthrie, O. T., June 27 -- United States Marshal Nix tonight received a telegram from the officials of the Chicago and Rock Island railway stating that as a result of the report of a large number of forged circulars received by citizens of South Enid and Round Pond, declaring it to be the approved policy of the railway company to destroy those towns by never stopping railway trains there or building depots all courts or laws to the contrary notwithstanding, the people of those two towns were worked up to a high pitch of excitement to destroy the railway property and wreck trains. It therefore asked for protection of property and aid to run the United States mails. Marshal Nix sent orders to all deputies of Enid to protect the property of the company and also dispatched an extra force for the scene at once. There will be bloodshed before morning. |
| The Morning Call. (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, June 28, 1894 |
| The Killing of a Constable. |
| South Enid, O.T., June 27. -- Mr. Hutchinson, a constable of North Enid township, was shot and instantly killed last night. It is not known who did the killing, but it is likely the result of the town-site fight. He has been very active in instituting criminal prosecutions, and these may have had something to do with the killing. |
| The Morning Call. (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, July 13, 1894 |
| VIOLENCE FEARED |
| Because a Railroad Company Gets a Suit Delayed a Year |
| Guthrie, O. T., July 12.— In the case of the town of South Enid against the Rock Island Railroad, in the Supreme Court, the railroad raised questions of fact and demanded a jury trial, consequently the case was remanded to the District Court for trial. This gives the railroad the advantage of a year or more of delay, and it is now feared that the people of South Enid will resort again to violence. |
| The Morning Call. (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, July 14, 1894 |
| NOT STRIKERS THIS TIME. |
| Wreck of a Train by Dynamite on the Rock island. |
| Wellington, Kans., July 13.— The adverse decision of the Oklahoma Supreme Court upon the applications of the towns of South Enid and Pond Creek to compel the Rock Island Railroad to build depots and stop trains has been quickly followed by an outrage. At 4:20 o'clock this morning, a mile south of Enid, the Rock Island bridge was blown up with dynamite and a freight train demolished. The engine and a couple of cars had passed safely over when the dynamite exploded, hurling the train from the track. Thirteen cars were piled in the ditch and Brakeman Cordry and Larry Lyon, a tramp, were badly injured. The dynamite was evidently intended for the regular northbound passenger train from Texas, which reached the scene thirty minutes later, and which but for the accident of the freight blockade caused by the strike, necessitating the running of extra freight trains, would have been the first train on the bridge. The outrage is supposed to be the work of men concerned in the bitter fight between the Government townsites and the Rock Island road, which has been raging ever since the opening of the strip, owing to the refusal of the railroad to stop its trains at the Government town. At 11 o'clock this morning Fawcett, the chief of the Rock Island road's detectives, wired to Vice-President Lowe that he was compelled to stand by powerless and see two citizens of Pond Creek tearing up the company's tracks through the city. In the crowd were both men and women. The company had until last week kept a large force of guards along the track at Pond Creek, and ever since June 6, when the track was before torn up and a freight train wrecked. Only a few guards are now stationed in the place and they are unable to do anything. The United States authorities have been notified of the destruction and the Government is expected to hereafter protect the company's property and deal with the citizens. By order of the Governor an armed troop from El Reno, under charge of Deputy United States Marshal Marsden, left for the scene late this afternoon. The citizens are becoming more threatening and serious trouble is feared. South Enid is heavily patrolled to-night by extra police, deputy sheriffs and deputy United States marshals. There are no demonstrations of any kind and it is expected no further trouble will occur to-night. The wrecking train has arrived from the south with 100 men and the timber to rebuild the bridge. It is possible that trains will be running over it by morning. |
| Fort Worth Gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, July 14, 1894 |
| THEY BLEW UP THE BRIDGE |
| ENRAGED CITIZENS RESORT TO A TERRIBLE REVENGE. |
| A ROCK ISLAND BRIDGE NEAR ENID, O. T., BLOWN UP WITH DYNAMITE AND SEVERAL PERSONS KILLED--OUTGROWTH OF A BITTER FIGHT |
| Guthrie, O. T., July 13 -- The day has been one of great excitement here. At an early hour this morning the following telegram was received at the governors office: Topeka Kan July 13 1894--W. C. Renfrow, governor of Oklahoma, Guthrie, O. T.: At 4:25 this morning bridge 3118 three and a half miles north of Enid was blown up completely wrecking the bridge and a freight train of thirteen cars went down with the bridge. I again ask you to protect the company and its property against these outlaws and if the local authorities cannot afford protection it seems to me that President Cleveland ought to be asked to send troops there. (Signed) M A LOWE,Attorney The governor at once telegraphed the sheriff of O county to use every means in his power to apprehend those engaged in the blowing up of the bridge. The telegram was as follows: Guthrie, O. T., July 13-- To G. W. Johnson Sheriff, Enid: Summon enough force to protect property and arrest all parties violating laws. Report situation promptly. (Signed) THOS J. LOWE, Secretary and Acting Governor At noon another dispatch was received as follows: Topeka Kan July 13 William C. Renfrow, governor, Guthrie, O. T., A mob at Round Pond is blowing up and tearing up our tracks. The local authorities are giving no protection. Please take immediate action to protect the property of the company. (Signed) M A LOWE The governor at once wired the sheriff of L county to protect all property and arrest all violators of the law. The following dispatches were received by United States Marshal Nix: El Reno, O. T.m July 13 -- United States Marshal Nix, Guthrie, O. T., Bridge blown up by dynamite this morning and a train of twelve cars ditched. All passengers and mail delayed. Three men killed or injured. Will go there at once to see what, if anything, we have to do and will then go direct to Guthrie. (Signed) C. MADSEN, Deputy Pond Creek, O. T., July 13 -- E. D. Nix Marshal: Eighty foot bridge north of Pond Creek was wrecked about 10:30 this morning. Two shots were fired, one on each end. (Signed) W. O. DUNCAN, Deputy United States Marshal S. S. Nix left for the scene at noon to assume charge of the marshals' forces. . Tonight an important consultation is being held between the United States territorial officials and the territorial militia and United States troops will undoubtedly be called out to quell the disturbance. |
| Call for Troops |
| Guthrie, O.T., July 13 -- All Is quiet at Round Pound and Enid tonight but there will be open warfare again the moment the railway company attempts to run trains through the towns without stopping. The county authorities can do nothing, and the railway company's guards are driven away. The company again called upon the governor to-night for troops and they will likely be sent. |
| Calls on the President |
| Guthrie, 0. T., July 13 -- Governor Lowe to-night called upon the president to take action towards sending troops to Enid and Round Pond to quell the riots there. |
| New-York Tribune. (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, July 16, 1894 |
| MORE VIOLENCE AT SOUTH ENID |
| Wichita, Kan., July 15. -- Another outrage was attempted on the Rock Island road at South Enid just before daybreak this morning, some unknown men exploding a charge of dynamite under the bridge just north of town. The guard stationed under the bridge was fired at and retired to secure reinforcements, when the dynamite was planted and was discharged without doing much damage. The telegraph wire between the Government town site and the station at North Enid was cut in the night. Several deputy marshals from North Enid were chased out of south town early this morning, a large body of citizens attacking them with clubs. Several of the citizens of South Enid also have been ordered to leave town on pain of death, because of the stand they have taken against the outlawry. Round Pond is peaceful for the moment, but all indications point to an outbreak and further attacks on railroad property as soon as the troops are withdrawn. Two troops of regulars from Fort Reno are at South Enid and two at Round Pond. |
| St. Paul Daily Globe. (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, July 16, 1894 |
| TO BLOW UP A BRIDGE. |
| An Explosion Which Did But Little Harm. |
| South Enid, 0. T., July 15.-- An attempt was made at 2 o'clock this morning to blow up the bridge which crosses the creek at a distance of about 150 yards north of this town." The bridge was guarded by soldiers. The explosion did but little harm. Two carriage loads of deputies from North Enid came into Enid between 11 and 12 o'clock last night, when a number of men attacked them with sticks and stones and chased them out of town. The greater part of the soldiers stationed here were sent to Pond Creek this morning by special train. Last night some party or parties unknown cut and destroyed the telegraph wire of the Oklahoma Telephone company in North Enid. |
| The Salt Lake Herald. (Salt Lake City [Utah) 1870-1909, July 17, 1894 |
| TROUBLES IN OKLAHOMA |
| The People Order United States Troops to Move |
| Guthrie, O. T., July 16. -- The war between the towns of Round Pond and Enid and the Rock Island railway broke out today again. United States Marshal Nix received a telegram this afternoon from Enid stating that the company of regular soldiers stationed there to protect the Rock Island have been ordered by the people to leave and also some citizens who sympathize with the road were given so many hours to get out of town. One soldier is reported to have been killed in a skirmish between the troops and citizens. Two bridges between Kremlin and Round Pond were fired early this morning, putting a complete stop to all traffic while the telegraph wires were cut and attempts made to use dynamite at other points. Unable to cope with the situation Enid's mayor today made a requisition upon Governor Renfrow for additional troops. The request was immediately granted. When the soldiers arrive trouble may ensue. Governor Renfrow has decided to offer a reward of $500 each for the conviction of persons engaged in the burning of bridges and will demand of the Rock Island people that they do their part toward abating trouble by complying with the city ordinances of Enid and Bound Pond in regard to depot location. |
| The Morning Call. (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, July 18, 1894 |
| FIGHT THE ROCK ISLAND. |
| The People of Pond Creek and Enid Want More Troops. |
| Pond Creek, O. T.. July 17.— Mayor C. B. Frank has wired to acting Governor Lowe that on Saturday, the 21st, the city authorities proposed to put into effect the ordinance requiring the Rock Island trains to stop at the principal street of the city and flag the crossing. He wished the Governor to call for the assistance of United States soldiers to make the city ordinance effective, the local force being inadequate. The Mayor added that the Government had established the city and was in simple justice bound to afford it protection from the tyranny of any railroad company and to assist it in enforcing its laws for the benefit and protection of its
citizens. No answer has been received from the Governor. The Mayor of Enid has wired the Governor and United States authorities that the local authorities are unable to keep down insurrection or to apprehend the men who have been destroying the railroad property, and asks for an increase of the number of United States troops now stationed in the city. The Governor bas signified his intention of complying with this latter request. Two explosions of dynamite occurred at the south outskirts of the city as a special train carrying troops of A Cavalry from Enid to Pond Creek station passed to-day.One shot exploded under the train, but did no damage. The other blew out the cattle guard and would have demolished the train had it exploded a few seconds earlier. |
| The Morning Call. (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, July 19, 1894 |
| RAILROAD BRIDGE BURNED. |
| Oklahoma Townsite Rivals Are Still at War. |
| North Enid, O. T., July 18. -- The 90 foot bridge near Waukomis station was burned at midnight, just after the passage of the passenger train. The railroad has abandoned freight traffic. Another company of United States troops from Fort Leavenworth will arrive this evening. Acting Governor Low has wired the Mayor of Pond Creek: "I have requested the Rock Island Railway Company, its attorney and president to obey your ordinance. I think the application for a mandamus to compel the company to stop in accordance with your ordinance would be granted." Guthrie, O. T., July 18.— A large body of men are organized in Enid, and they are loudly proclaiming to-night that they will destroy with dynamite the first train that attempts to pass through the town without stopping. Company 11, Thirteenth Infantry, from Camp, Supply, 0.T., reached Wellington, Kans., to-night and were started to Enid in haste. |
| Fort Worth Gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, July 20, 1894 |
| Governor Lowe Goes to Enid |
| Guthrie, O. T., July 18. -- No reports of further trouble were received from Enid or Round Pond today, though the situation is still a serious one. Acting Governor Lowe, United States District Attorney Brooks and United Staters Marshal Nix left at noon for Enid to meet the people and try to induce them to stop their unlaeful acts. |
| The Situation at Enid |
| Enid, O. T., July 19. -- The United States troops and marshals are still guarding the property ot tho Rock Island Railroad company here. Early this morning another bridge, 110 feet long, was burned six miles south of this city. Nothing is known as to the men who did the work. Brass bands are promenading the streets tonight and are cheered at every corner. The feeltng here is "No railroad if no depot." |
| The Morning Call. (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, July 21, 1894 |
| FREE SPEECH RESTRICTED. |
| Serious Status of the Railroad War in Oklahoma. |
| Wichita, Kann., July 20. -- A clash and interchange of shots occurred between United Sates soldiers guarding the Rock Island Railway property and a body of men from South Enid, O. T., near that town early this morning. The Enid men attempted to surprise the troops who were guarding a railway bridge, presumably intending to destroy the structure. They were discovered, however, and in the melee which followed Corporal Gleaves was seriously wounded by a bullet in the left side. The firing brought up a detachment of the soldiers who dispersed the mob and arrested several rioters. Acting Governor Lowe of Oklahoma, who is on the scene, to-day served restraining orders on 150 citizens of South Enid preventing them participating in mobs or discussing the situation publicly. Richard Corwin was arrested today charged with participating in the recent wreck at Round Pond. |
| Fort Worth Gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, July 22, 1894 |
| More Trouble Expected |
| Guthrie, O. T., July 21. -- Advices from Enid and Round Pond today indicate that there will be more serious trouble there tomorrow as the citizens are greatly enraged at teh troops and threaten to attack them if they do not move tonight. Governor Renfrow arrived tonight from Chicago and will at once assume charge of affairs and attempt to quiet the trouble. |
| New-York Tribune. (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, July 23, 1894 |
| MALTREATED BY BOTH SIDES |
| Perry, Okla., July 22. -- D. H. Nourse, editor and proprietor of "The Wellington (Kan) Evening Mail," who had been sent to Round Pond and Enid, the seats of the railroad and Government townsite war, by a Kansas City paper, arrived here yesterday in a terrible plight. Nourse says the tone of the dispatches did not suit either the railroad or the townsite people. Accordingly hewas arrested Wednesday morning and put in jail, and his driver was hanged. Nourse was liberated yesterday morning on his promise to leave town immediately. He went to a restaurant to get his breakfast, and while waiting for his meal to be prepared was engaged in writing dispatches to his paper. He was thus engaged when he was attacked by two high railroad officials and badly beaten. |
| The Morning Call. (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, July 24, 1894 |
| MAKE AN UGLY CASE. |
| Charges Against an Officer of the Army. |
| Complications Growing Out of the Settlers' War on the Rock Island Road. |
| Wichita, Kans., July 23.— J. C. Moore, Mayor of South Enid, O. T., the scene of the present disturbances between the citizens and the Rock Island, has prepared and forwarded to the Secretary of War charges and specifications under the Articles of War against Captain Mackey, who is in command of the Federal troops in that city. The specifications agree that in the dead hour of night Captain Mackey
and his men went to the home of Charles I. Sherer, took him out of bed and showing him a rope threatened to hang him if he would not divulge the names of the party who fired at a corporal In Mackey's command who was in a row. He also charged that Captain Mackey and his men dragged A. R. Elliott, another citizen, out of bed, put their rifles to his breast and threatened to kill hi in if he would not divulge the identity of parties implicated in burning bridges. They kept him under torture until Mrs. Elliott ran through the
streets in her night clothes and awakened the citizens by ber screams. Mayor Moore has notified the Secretary of War by telegram that the charges against the captain are en route. A special to the Eagle from Pond Creek states nearly 200 of the citizens have been arrested for train-wrecking. Sheriff Hage was the first man taken and Mayor Frank the second. The arrests were made by seven deputy marshals backed by a car load of Federal soldiers. At first the Pond Creek lookouts stationed on the tops of buildings saw twenty soldiers marching from Pond Creek station and so reported. The citizens took their Winchesters in high glee to give them battle, but while they were waiting, drawn up in line, for the soldiers to demand their surrender, two unexpected companies of soldiers rolled off a train that had just come from another direction in great haste. The citizens then grounded arms and surrendered. It is said that when the soldiers were putting the citizens under arrest other citizens with vengeance in their hearts rode out of town hastily, and it is expected they are scattered along the unprotected line of the road applying the torch to bridges andculverts. |
| The Daily Herald. (Brownsville, Tex.) 1892-1897, July 24, 1894 |
| THE ROCK ISLAND TROUBLE |
| The fight that is being waged in the Cherokee Strip between the Rock Island Railroad and the government towns of Round Pond and South Enid is attracting considerable interest here, several people of this city owning property in the strip. One of the latter is S. H. Garrett the pressman of The Express who owns property in Round Pond. In speaking of the origin of the trouble yesterday to a reporter Mr Garrett said: The present trouble in the Cherokee Strip originated shortly before the opening of the strip for settlement when the government sent surveyors to establish county seats in the counties of L and O. The Rock Island Railroad had water tanks and cattle chutes established at Pond Creek and North Enid and the government laid out and established the county seat towns of Round Pond and South Enid. The towns were properly located for county seat towns, as they were situated near the center of their respective counties, L and O. Pond Creek is in County L, twenty eight miles south of the north line of the strip, Round Pond was located by the government three miles further south. Enid is twelve miles south of Round Pond and in County O. South Enid is three miles further south and is the county seat town of County O. The United States Land office is located there. Sept 16 at 12 o'clock noon the boomers trailed across the strip under government instruction not to exceeds rate of twelve miles per hour and stops were to be made every five miles at all town sites. Instructions were ignored and no stops were made at Round Pond and South Enid and all who got off at these two town sites were compelled to leave the train while in motion and many narrow escapes occurred especially among women and children. But ample time was given for everybody to get off at all other places It was estimated that 3000 people were at Round Pond on the evening of the 16th while at Pond Creek there was scarcely 200 and at South Enid there were between 5000 and 6000 and at North Enid there were between 700 and 800. Never since the strip has been opened have any stops been made at Round Pond and South Enid and all freight and mail have always been put off at the railroad towns of Pond Creek and North Enid and from there carried to the government towns by wagon thus entailing a hard ship on merchants and others especially freight coming to Round Pond, as freighters are compelled to ford the Salt fork of the Arkansas river which has a sandy bottom and often teams are stalled in mid stream.-- Express |
| The Salt Lake Herald. (Salt Lake City [Utah) 1870-1909, July 25, 1894 |
| Guthrie, Okla., July 24. -- Governor Renfrow has received a telegram from citizens of Enid, declaring that United States deputies are violating the organic act of the territory by arresting citizens, denying them preliminary hearings, and spititing them away, while an unlawful organization at Northtown threatens to burn the city. Governor Renfrow , Secretary Lowe and United States District Attorney Brooks left for there this morning. South Enid, Okla., July 24 -- Mayor Moore, after a thorough investigation of the shooting of Corporal Cleaves, is satisfied the soldier was shot in a quarrel with a comrade, and to protect themselves the soldiers told the officers they were attacked by the citizens of Enid. |
| The Morning Call. (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, July 27, 1894 |
| CAPTAIN MACKEY'S DENIAL. |
| Arrests at Enid Were Made by United States Marshals. |
| North Enid, O. T., July 26. -- Captain J. O. Mackey, in command of the troops guarding the property of the Rock Island near here, has issued a card in answer to the charges made by the citizens of South Enid. He. denies the allegation with regard to the Secretary of War, stating that the arrests were made by United States Marshals and not by the troops. |
| Guthrie, O. T., July 27. -- Governor Renfrew left the city again today, leaving Secretary Lowe acting Governor. Lowe at once wired the War Department requesting that the soldiers be withdrawn from Enid and Pond Creek as they were no longer needed. Tne Territorial administration has prevailed upon the railroad company to erect a depot, so that the trouble can be said to be practically at an end. |
| Omaha Daily Bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, July 31, 1894 |
| The people of South Enid and Round Point, Oklahoma, complain that In the accounts of the fight to compel the Rock Island railroad to establish stations and stop their cars in their cities they have been made to appear in an almost wholly false light. The whole trouble has arisen from the efforts of a speculative town site company , in which the chief Interests are owned by a few officials of the railroad company, to build up their own towns on the ruins of South Enid and Round Point. By some machinations, connived in by the government agents, the town site company secured possession of tracts of land in close proximity to what had been designated as the county seats by the Interior department and town lots were sold with a guarantee that the railroad would protect the purchasers. To do this the stations ware established in those places, several miles from the regular county seats, and the trains were allowed to stop at no other points. When the citizens of South Enid and Round Point protested, they received the reply that new terminal facilities would be altogether too expensive. When the citizens offered to supply the terminal facilities their offer was spurned with contempt. When they passed ordinances limiting the speed of trains within the town limits and requiring every train to stop at the main street and whistle , the railroad defied the law. When the citizens endeavored to enforce the ordinances which they had enacted , the governor and the federal troops were quickly at hamd to help the railroad persist in its violations. That is to say, just in order to help an inside ring of townsite speculators the Rock Island has been inviting the storm which the people promise will break when the legislature once meets. Then the old cry of hostile railway legislation will again be heard in the land. |
| The Morning Call. (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, August 02, 1894 |
| Berry (Dem. Ark.) presented a conference report on the House bill requiring railroad companies operating lines in territories over rights of way granted by the Government to locate depots at certain points selected by the Interior Department. Berry announced that after a long conference the conferrees bad been unable to agree and moved that the Senate recede from its amendments. Tbe provision applies to the Rock Island Railroad in Oklahama, the towns of Round Pond and South Enid having a special grievance against it. A lively discussion followed, in which Piatt, Teller and Berry took part, as to the lawless acts which bad been perpetrated. Berry stated tbat the people had been lawabiding until the railroad continually violated the law. The vote was then taken on Berry's motion and it was agreed to - 24 to 20. |
| The Salt Lake Herald. (Salt Lake City [Utah) 1870-1909, August 03, 1894 |
| REJOICING AT SOUTH ENID |
| South Enid, O. T., Aug 2 -- There is much rejoicing in South Enid because of the receipt of the news of the passage by the Senate of the bill insuring the building land of a depot here by the Rock Island. Two thousand people assembled on the public square and speechmaking and fireworks were the order of the night. The enthusiasm is unbounded some of the people going so far as to suggest that the prisoners be released from jail to join in the demonstration. |
| Omaha Daily Bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, August 06, 1894 |
| TO THE EDITOR |
| Oklahoma Townsite Troubles |
| OMAHA , Aug. 4. To the Editor of The Bee : An editorial paragraph appeared in The Bee of August 3 relating to the action of the Rock Island railroad in the townsite controversy at Round Pond and South Enid , Okl. I have Just returned from a trip through Oklahoma , and as I have no interest whatever in either town and as I believe you wish to be fair to all , I wish to say a word on this subject. First -- The Rock Island road was built through the Cherokee Strip ( where the trouble is ) long before It was open to settlement. It was understood and agreed with the company that it should not be compelled to establish stations nearer than ten miles of each other. The stations were established, switches put in, and station houses built before any government towns were laid out. The land near the stations is splendidly adapted to townsite purposes. Second -- When the government "townsite locators" came upon the scene for some unaccountable reason they went in one case two miles and in another three miles away from the stations on the road and laid out the "government towns. " All the land was, open, and any of it might have been taken but evidently from motives not the purest or best, as is believed by most people, they refuse to locate near the stations already built. The sites selected by the government party are not so good as those near the present stations. In one instance the town was located In the brakes of a small creek, where level ground for a switch could not be found except by costly filling and grading. Third -- The people who settled In the government towns are the victims of this unaccountable action of the locaters. In each case a good town has been built up around the railroad station, whose property will be rendered valueless if the stations are moved. The railroad company will be put to large expense if compelled to move the stations. All this trouble is brought on by what seems to an outsider to have been the want of Judgment of those appointed by the government to locate the townsltes. The courts huve twice decided In favor of the Rock Island company, and most fairminded people do the same. It is but fair to say that the best people in these towns have greatly regretted the lawless course which has been pursued by the tough element in these government towns. The destruction of property and the risk to life has been great. In conclusion let me say that I think It only right to treat all interests fairly, and, while having no personal interest in any way on either side, I think the Rock Island Railway company has been very patient and law-abiding under the most aggravating circumstances, while anarchy has reigned supreme in these other places. N. B. RAIRDEN. Y. M. C. A. Building , Omaha , |