Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-02-08
Facts About Oklahoma.

A Fort Reno correspondent of Brad
streePS gives several columns of interest
ing information about that portion of the
Indian Territory which has been brought
so prominently to the attention of the
country during the last few weeks. 1t
appears that the popular idea that Okla
homa is fabulOusly fertile country is tar
from correct. 1t contains some rich la. DIS
along the rivers, and some extremely poor
lands on what is known as the divides,
which are barren and stony. In the
northeastern part of Oklahoma there are
thousands of acres which are compare
lively worthless, the soil being very thin
and thirsty, and the grass extremely
scant after midsummer. The western
portion is broken by raYines and gullies,
apd the southeastern quarter contains
much low, swompy, but heavily timbered
land, cut up by lagoons and bayous, which
are Well adapted to the generation Of
malaria. In the western portion there is
much good farming land, but it is no bet
ter ana 10 worse than that in the western
portions OF Ksnas,- and Texas.
The correspondent states that the real
instigators Of the various bands of in
truders are the members Of a clique OF
swiudlers who have been for several years
selling certificates Of colony membership
to those desiring to locate lands in Okla
homa. 1t is estimated that at least $4,000
of these papers have been sold at from So
to 50 each, and a company of surveyors is
said TO have made great deal Of money
out OF the deluded cOlonists by locating
and surveying their pretended claims. 1t
is asserted that a very large proportion OF
the people of Kansas, living near the In
dian Territory, who have never joined the
parties of Payne and Couch, are holders
Of these certificates. and consequently are
In thorough sympathy with the intruders.
1t appears that the Oklahoma lands
were retroceded to the United States by
the Seminole Indians in 1866 for the ex-
press purpose of locating other Indians
and freedmen. who were former slaves of
the Indians thereon.
The above facts given by the cores
pondent, who is a trusted contributor to
the worthy journal quoted, will help en-
tighten those who wish to get all the in
formation obtanable about the section OF
country which is causing so much agita-
| ton in the West.
An examination of the latest map shows
that Oklahoma is situated in the very
! heart of the Indian Territory. 1t is sep.
arated from Kansas by the Cherokee strip,
which is about fifty miles wide, and from
Texas by the reservations Of the Chicka-
saws, Wichitas, Kiowas, COmanches and
Apaches. which together are wider than
the Cherokee strip.
1t has been announced that the sO-called
'boomers'' VIII start back TO Oklahoma
with their numbers largely augmented on
March ). They seem to think that Presi.
dent Cleveland will pursue different pol.
icy towards them from that of President
Arthur. They are certainly mistaken
He can but enforce the law, and there is
not the shadow of a doubt about the pres
ent status Of the Oklahoma lands. The
prospects that Congress will open these
lands for settlement in the near future
are not flattering. If they bordered or
one Of the states or Territories it might
Go so, but it is not likely that the policy o.
allowing whites TO settle IN the centre o.
the Indian Territory viii be inauguratet
for good many years, at least not unit
the present status Of the Indian tribes Il
changed, the lands assigned to the In
dams in severalty, and territorial form
of government established. Oklahoma
will certainly not be opened until the
Cherokee strip can be acquired by the
| government.
1t would be best for the "boOmers" t
| give up their hobby at once. Many o
them will become gray-headed before
they establish permanent homes on thei
pretended claims. They will be wise
they locate elsewhere, for if the TERRITORY
should be opened their claims would no
J be recognized as superior to those of sub
! sequent settlers. They are a deluded Sc
of people and the quicker they realizt
the fact, the better for them.