The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1884-06-26
THE OKLAHOMA cOUNrRx
An Interesting Interview With Col
Campbell Who Has just Returned
From That Country.
Iichita Daily Eagle, Jun

wichita Daily Eagle, June "a.
Col, B. H. Campbell, who has been in
the Indian Territory and Oklahoma
country for several weeks past looking
after his live stock, he being Interested
in one of the largest aud finest cattle
ranches IN that section, upon which; he
now, has grazing some 1000 head OF cat
tie, returned homo Sunday. There is,
perhaps, no man in southern Kansas
better posted &c to the ranges and the
southern country 10 general tnan is Mr..
Campbell. Wishing to gain few facts
in relation tolhe territory and learning
that the colonel was in the city, repre-
sentative of the Daily Eagle sought him
out and found him enjoying his cigar at
the office of N. F. Nielander. AT
ter passing the compliments
of the day, the reporter requested a few
moments conversations with the colonel,
which was kindly granted, and in an
swer to the query as to how the cattle
were looking on the ranges, he replied,
FIRST rate, sir, first rate" and the
reporter continued:
"You have large herd of cattle in
the Indian territory, understand, Mr. /.
Campbell 7''' -.t., So
Il have cattle in the territory. 1 do
moi call 1t large herd as compared to
those of some of my neighbors."
VIVA number. cattle have you, and
id what nations are you holding?"
"The larger part of my cattle are in
the Cherokee nation"
You lease your lands from the Chero-
KEGS. What compensation, If any, do
You pay them.
%The association of which 1 am a
member pays the Cherokee nation $780,
600 annual rent for what is known as
the Cherokee Strip or Outlet"
For what term of years have you it
leased?
"F1ve years from last October"
What authority had you TO make this
"By an act of legislation by the
Cherokee nation empowering Chief
Bushyh head 10 make such lease"
Was it approved by the Federal gov
ernment?
sit is ACC uiesetd in by the Interior
department. Indeed there Is no power
which can properly prevent the Chero-
kee nation from full control of the use
of their lands" -,....--
Are these ranches used in common, or
are they divided among the members
tine present occupants of the Chero-
time the lease was obtained. and the
grazing territory was divided upon lines
which had been considered under the
old system as the limits of their respec-
tive ranges" OIL
Do you not regard the renting OF so
large a body OF land by so few persons
a monopoly in antagonism with our
forms of government? tr.
81 certainly do not, aud must correct
your idea that but few persons enjoy
these privileges" IN" 90 '
How many persons Joined in making
the lease with the Cherokee nationf
"Nominslly but nine persons Joined in
tine lease. But they are the directors
and representatives. of legally organIz-
ed association nnmberiDR many hun
dfeds'' a -..lszs ..a4 y -.-
/ 1t is generally understood that you
this true, and by what authority are you
occupying it, ms ..zf1-.5t.t 10.
al have q small herd IN oklahoma. l
an holding these by no authority, and
need none, a. any person with stock
MAY drive there and use the grass until
such time as the government requires
| the lands for more p erman use"
! Why IS Capt. Payne prohibited from
occupying the country, white you are
1 permitted to do SO? sss .ssrra
81 am not permitted to occupy 1t in
| the sense which he and his followers
l claim the right to use It."
} Will You be good enough TO state the
| difference .s-.--
1--WE make no permanent improve
ments Indeed, we do not occupy the
country In snylsense in conflict with lhe
orders of the Interior department of the
i goYernment We do not seek TO acquire
| fee simple in the lands, nor to make aDy
kpermAnent lodgment, which wall embaR
/ rass the government whenever it'choostI
By proper legislation TO open the country
TO settlement"
And do you consider that thisspFesenti
to the department technically adtHefeni
1 Question than that raised By Capt
Payne?
| az most certainly do, both technically
snn practically Capt. Payne and hiI
followers go into the country in deflsEcs
Of an order of the interior department
that Il Is unlawful TO settle upon thosS
/ lands until the disability Is removed b
i an act of congress, providing for open
ing the country to actual settlement"
I / Do. you mean to say that Capt. Payne
could Craze cattle upon the Oklahom,
lands? t-r at'1t orb
{ His right to do 80 is most certainly
6 good as mine. But if he .would d.
this he would not become famous a
On agTtssoF. aad would be - common q
q eoW.man." e# -
/ Are you willing TO hazard an opinion
as TO what are Capt. Payne's prospects
i Of success. 20
| 81 think they are excellent For hi
4 luccess depends upon his absurd claim
Being denied. Indeed he would regsIc
& his greatest success to be punished 10
| dis unlawful Gets and thus become
martyr" = esat
And 30 you b Iieye he Is about 70 b
punished, do you.
%Yes, and TO use correct expression
do not think the government IL gOi0i
70 monkey with this Idle sgitator mncl
| longer"
| what leads you to this opinions
81 em Rot the confidential advise
II of the civil or military departments o
the government, and am not supposel
20 know their secrets. But from pres
emit movements of government official
in that eSuns1y, have every reason &
believe that the public viii hear stiEI
ing news from the seat OF WaE At y
esriy day =
4 An Ola Firm ao8s.
.