The Conquest: The Story of a Negro Pioneer

  CHAPTER XXII

  THE PRESIDENT'S PROCLAMATION

  Coincident with the expectation came the president's proclamationthrowing four thousand claims in Tipp county open to settlement underthe lottery system at six dollars per acre. Among the towns designatedin the proclamation where the people could make application for a claim,Megory and Calias were nearest to the land. These were the places wherethe largest crowds were expected. Therefore, the citizens of these twovigorous municipalities began extensive preparations to "entertain thecrowds." Megory, being more on the country order, made more homelikepreparations. Among the many "conveniences" prepared were a ladies' restroom and information bureau, which were located in a large barnpreviously used for storing hay.

  Calias, under the criticism that as soon as the road extended fartherwest it would be as dead as Oristown--now all but forgotten--prepared to"get theirs" while the crowds were in town. And they did, but that isahead of the story.

  The time for the opening approached. People seemingly from every part ofthe universe, and from every vocation in life, drifted into the towns.Among these were included the investors, who stated that in the event ofa failure to draw they would buy deeded land. Next in order were thegamblers, from the "tin horn" and "piker" class to the "fat"professionals. Although every precaution was taken to keep out thecharacters of the city's underworld, who had characterized formeropenings, both towns were fully represented with a large share ofpickpockets, con-men, lewd women and their consorts.

  On the east the murky waters of the Missouri seek theirlevel. (page 132.)]

  The many vacant lots on Main street of both the towns were decoratedwith the typical scene at land openings. There were little tents withnotaries assisted by many beautiful girls to "prepare your application."There were many hotels with three and four beds to a room, as well as"rooms to let" over all the places of business containing two stories ormore. There were tents with five hundred cots, and "lest we forget",there were the numerous "drinking fountains," with bars the length ofthe building, behind which were scores of bartenders to serve the "howdry I am", on one side. On the other, in tents, back rooms and overheadcould be heard the b-r-r-r-r of the little ivory marble as it spun acircuit over the roulette wheel, and the luck cages, where the idlesports turned them over for their own amusement, to pass away the time.The faro-bank and numerous wheels of fortune also had a place. From therear came the strains of ragtime music. These were some of the manyattractions that met the trains carrying the first arrivals on the nightof October fifth.