348 Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters. 
municipal government began on the very first night, when the 
roll of the states was called and a representative governing com¬ 
mittee appointed. The next day this committee was endorsed 
by viva voce vote of the people:, and they proceeded to the 
election of a mayor. Two candidates were put up, and the 
adherents of each formed in line four abreast and marched 
past a definite point to be counted; but it was soon discovered 
that an ingenious system of repeating was being used, and the 
election nearly broke up in a row. Finally the two candidates 
picked out a committee of six who added a seventh to their 
number, constituted themselves a nominating board and 
presented the name of Cbl. D. B. Dyer to' the people for mayor. 
He was unanimously elected and at once turned all his energies 
to the organization of the young municipality. 1 
Among the other disagreeable features of Guthrie life dur¬ 
ing the first few days was the scarcity of food and water. 
The one eating tent was continually overflowing, although the 
rate was five dollarsi per mieal. The water in the Cimarron river 
was brackish and practically unfit to drink, and crowds hung 
around the railroad tank which was guarded by soldiers. 
To add to the unpleasantness, a sand storm arose on the third 
day and covered everything with the fine sand of the prairie. 
Many became disgusted with the situation and decided to pull 
out at the first opportunity; but they found nearly as much 
difficulty in doing so as they had in getting in. At one 
time it seemed as if the city would be depopulated, and lots 
which had previously changed hands at fancy prides wjent 
begging at five dollars. But this lasted only for a few days. 
The places of those who left were rapidly filled by newcomers, 
provisions soon became more plentiful, and the town settled 
down to a steady growth and development. 2 
One hundred days after its settlement Guthrie presented the 
appearance of an ordinary western metropolis, with its streets 
and alleys, stores, parks, boulevards and fine iron bridges. An 
excellent electric light system was in operation and the contract 
1 Tribune Extras , vol. 1, no. 7, p. 43; Cosmopolitan, vol. 7, jp. 468. 
2 Tribune Extras , vol. 1, no. 7, pp. 39-42. 
