Eye witnesses describe the starting of the colony as one of the most remarkable sights ever witnessed.  The wagons advanced in single file, and some few of the men rode on horseback in order to act as advance guides to seek suitable camping grounds, and to protect the occupants of the wagons from attack.  In some cases one or two cows were attached by halters to the rear of the wagons, and there were several dogs which evidently entered heartily into the spirit of the affair.  The utmost confidence prevailed, and hearty cheers were given as the cavalcade crossed the Kansas State line and commenced its long and dreary march through the rich blue grass of the Cherokee Strip.

The journey before the home-seekers was about 100 miles, and at the slow rate of progress they were compelled to make, it was necessarily a long and arduous task.  Some few of the women were a little nervous, but the majority had thoroughly fallen in with the general feeling and were enthusiastic in the extreme.  The food they had with them was sufficient for immediate needs, and when they camped for the night, the younger members of the party generally succeeded in adding to the larder by hunting and fishing.

We have all heard of invading armies being allowed to proceed on their march unmolested only to be treated with additional severity on arriving at the enemies’ camp.  So it was with the colonists.  They got through with very little difficulty, and no one took the trouble to interfere with their progress.  Men who had been in the promised land for the purpose, had located a suitable spot for the formation of the proposed colony, and here the people were directed.  One of the party had some knowledge of land laws, and after a long hunt he succeeded in locating one of the section corners established by the recent Government survey.  This being done, quarter-sections were selected by each of the newcomers, and work commenced with a will.  Tents and huts were put up as rapidly as possible, and before a week had passed the newcomers were fairly well settled.  They even selected a town site and built castles in the air of a most remarkable character.

That they were monarchs of all they surveyed seemed to be obvious, and for some weeks their right there was none to dispute.  Then by degrees the cowboys who were herding cattle in the neighborhood began to drop hints of possible interference, and while these suggestions were being discussed a company of United States troops suddenly appeared.  With very little explanation they arrested every man in the colony for treason and conspiracy, and proceeded to drive the colonists out of the country.  The men were compelled to hitch up their horses, and, succumbing to force of numbers, the colonists sadly and wearily advanced to Fort Reno, where they were turned over to the authorities.  After being kept in confinement for five days they were released, and told to get back into Kansas as rapidly as possible.  Government officials saw that the order was carried out, and then left the colonists to themselves.