Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1884-06-24
THE OKLAHOMA COUNTRY.
An Interesting Interview With COL Capmbell
Who Has Just Returned From That
Country.

THE OKLAHOMA COUNTRY.
An Interesting Interview With Col capmbell,
Who Has Just Returned From That
Country.
Col. b. II. Campbell, who has been in the
Indian territory and Oklahoma country for
stock. he being interested in one Of the
largest, and finest cattle ranches in that Sec
ton, upon which he now has grazing some
1000 head of cattle, returned home Sunday.
There is, perhaps. no man in southern
Kansas better posted as to the ranges and
the southern country in general than 10 MIR.
Campbell. Wishing to gain few facts in
relation to the territory aud the Oklahoma
country, and learning that the colonel was
in the city, representative of the DAILY
EAGLE sought him out and found him en-
Toying his cigar at the Office Of N. F. Me
sleriandcr. Alter passing the compliments
Of the day, the reporter requested few
moments conversation with the colonel,
which was kindly granted, and in answer
to the query as to how the cattle were look
ing on the ranges, he replied, "First rate,
sir, first rate" aud the reporter continued.
You have large herd of cattle in the In
dian territory, l understand. Mr.. Camp
bell.
81 have cattle in the territory. do not
call it large herd as compared 10 those OF
some of my neighbors."
What number Of cattle have you, aud in
what nations are you holding!
'sThe larger part. of my cattle are in the
Cherokee nation"
| You lease your lands from the CherOkees.
What compensation, if any, do you pay
them?
| "The association of which am a MEM
Der pays the Cherokee nation 100000 an
nual rent for what is know as the Cherokee
Strip or Outlet"
| For what term of years have you it
| leased.
| Give years from last October
What authority had you to make this
| lease!
'.By an act OF legislation by the Chero-
kee nation empowering Chief Bushyhea
| to make such lease
Was IT approved by the Federal govern
ment?
at is acquiesced in by the Interior de-
partment. Indeed there is no power which
can properly prevent the Cherokee nation
from full control of the use of their lands"
Are these ranches used in common, or
are they divided among the members:
.'The present occupants of the Cherokee
Strip were holding ranches at the time the
lease was obtained, and the grazing terri
tory was divided upon lines which had
been considered under the old system the
limits If their respective ranges
DO You not regard the renting Of SO large
body of land by SO Few persons, monOp-
DIV in antagonism with our forms of gov
eminent:
81 certainly do not, and 1 must correct
your idea that but few persons enjoy these
privileges"
How many persons joined in making the
lease with the Cherokee natiOnl
"Nomnally but nine persons joined in
In the lease. But they are the directors
and representatives of a legally organized
association numbering many hundreds.
II is generally understood that you have
cattle in the oklahoma country. Is this
true, and by what authority ar. you occu-
plying it:
81 have a small herd in Oklahoma I Am
holding these by no authority, aud need
none, as any person with stock may drive
there and Use the grass unit! such time a
the government requires th" lands FOR mare
permanent USE
Why is Capt. Payne prohibited from
cupying the country, Will you ar per
miited to do so
81 am not permitted 10 oc,na, il in lha
sense which he and his follower claim iiit
right to use it,"
Will you be good enoa h TO s;atc the di'
ference
"N e make no permanent improvements.
Indeed. ve do not occupy the country ia
any sense in conflict with the ortcrs Of the
Interior department of the governments;
We do not seek 10 acquire fee simple IN ie
lands, nor to make amy permanent lods-
ment, which will embarrass the govern
ment whenever 1t chooses. by proper legis
lation, to open the country to settlement
And do you consider that this presents 20
the department technically different ques-
ton than that raised by Capt. Payne:
81 most certainly do, both technically
and practically. Capt. Payne and his fol-
lowers so into the country in defiance Of an
order of the Interior department, that it is
unlawful to settle upon those lands until
the disability is removed by an act of con-
gress, providing for opening the country to
actual settlement
DO you mean to say that Capt. Payne
could Craze cattle upon the Okiahoma
lands 4?
ellis right To do 50 is most certainly as
good as mine But If he would do this, he
would not become famous an agitafor,
and would be as common AS cOw-man."
Are yon willing to hazard an opinion as
TO what are Capt. Payne's prospects OF
success:
al think they are excellent, for his Sue
cess depends upon his absurd claims being
denied. Indeed he would regard it his
greatest success to he punished for his I'm
lawful acts and thus become II martyr"
And so you believe he is about to be
punished. do you!
"Yes and to Use correct expression, |
do not think the government is going to
monkey with this idle agitator much
longer
What leads you To this opinion.
II am not the confidential advisor OF the
civil or military departments Of the govern
ment. aud am not supposed to know their
secrets. Bat from present movements OF
government official, in that country, have
every reason to believe that the public will
hear stirring news from The seat Of war at
an early day
WITHIN TEN DAYS