Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1885-08-22
OKLAHOMA!
MAYHEM, Mo-, August Il

"A1NlkW Nlo., August ~, 1901.
EDITOR INTELLIGENCER:-I returned
from Caldwell, Kansas, a few days
ago. Visited the colony, as l prom
ised. Captain Couch was in good
spirits, though the news from Washing
ton was anything but encouraging.
The attorney employed by the colony
returned August 4th, he having several
interviews with the officials in behalf
of the appointment of all Oklahoma
commission. He, J. Wade Mcdonald,
thought two things intervened to pre-
vent the appointment. First-The
cattle would have to be removed from
the late proclaimed Indian reservations.
Second-The colony might interfere, as
some persons thought there was great
many in camp, and if said land were
opened they would rush in and take all
of the choice land. This, however,
was of course a misconstruction placed
on the present Couch colony. Captain
Couch will not disband the colony. He
will fill his promise that he made Mr..
Lamar last spring when at Washing
ton. To prove this the offer made by
cattlemen since the order to remove
and his non-acceptancew would certainly
give credit and strength to any man
not prejudiced. l am of the opinion
that the commission will not be appoint
ed until after September 2. Since the
cattlemen of Oklahoma received their
moving orders, May 20, there has not
been any distractions placed in front
of emigrants going to and from Okla
homa. AS for the soldiers they have
not been used for any obstruction. Now
that the cattle syndicate is burst there
is no one to report. McCoole's letter
from Colorado unlocked said country.
Mr.. Dawes letter, August 6, said the
late secretary of the interior, Mr.. Tell
er, did it all.
The present camp consists of not
eight votes, | think, is their voting
strength. 1t is not the camp that is
most dreaded. If you could see the
letters from all parts of the country
asking how long and why the commits
sion is delayed, you would think the
present administration would immor-
talize itself by appointing the commits
sion. l don't think there is man less
than twenty thousand, that would in
twelve months be in Oklahoma Council
Grove seems to be located for the
coming town if said country is opened.
In my opinion it will be the Kansas
City of the Indian Territory-as Kansas
City is to Missouri and Kansas. 1t is
located in township u, range 4, west
meridian, all the county south and east
of it being the most fertile in the world.
The South Canadian being the south
border, is we'll timbered. hope some
thing will develop to encourage the
administration to act. AS Mr.. Lamar
promised to act promptly, the colony
had the greatest confidence in him,
and if they had the appointment OF one
of the commission would appoint him
You may say Oklahoma is played Out
at present, except such men as are
frontier adventurers; that is, men and
families living in tents and wagons.
Such are the occupants of the promised
land to-day, while you and with 8
little means are excluded. If we ever
get there will, if l have luck, be in
township 8, range ., north of the Cana
dian lake also northwest of Negro
colony, which has never been ordered
out by any authority.
If anything new turns up | will lei
you know. However, / will return
again this fall There is no giving
down on the Oklahoma question.
We have formed our band,
And we are well manned,
To journey afar to the promised land;
; Then no, boys, no, to Oklahoma go!
There is plenty of farms in the land we ar,
told
On the banks of the Canadian shore.
As we travel on over the prairies green,
Most beautiful flowers there are seen,
And memory oft brings to mind
The love of those we left behind.
/ noticed the crops in some of tn,
Kansas country. The crops in Cowiey
and Sumner counties are the best
ever saw. Caldwell ia in Sumne
; county, where the colony is located
There is anything but hard times on
there. Flour is only $2 sack. Emf
grants need not lay in any supplies
going there or west or south iron
COwley or Sumner county. 1t onl
> shows what Oklahoma is. The corr
, raised in Oklahoma this year is said t.
make 75 bushels to the acre. YOr
may expect to hear from me often, a
news comes from settlers ON settling
Hope to meet you soon in the promise
3 land. Will close at present. Yours
l as ever, A. W. MARSHALL.