New-York tribune., 1885-08-13
CALDWELL. Kan. July 8, 1885.

CALDWELL. Kan. July o, 1885.
Mr.. JOHN J. TRorGHroN
DEAR srR: The copy of The NEw-YoRK TRIBUNE you
sent me Is received. The editorial referred
ing tho Oklahoma settlers, boomers, as they are
called Ihave read with reference to which desire 70
that the editor like thousands Of other persons IL
laborfng under mistaken idea. infer from the read
ing Of the article that the editor evidently believes that
there is great speculation scheme behind the
Oklahoma movement, that corporation individ-
ual with capital for purposes other than that Of obtain
ing houses for actual settlers is backing the Oklahoma
movement But sir Iassure such isnot de-
sire say without contradiction that the Payne
Oklahoma Colony since Its organization, i've
since has received assistance pecuniary other
wise, except from persons who were In full sympathy
with the honest homeseeke and that the whole amount
received In the last five years from those not members,
would not buy tho cmeubers Of the colony square ZEAL
It appears to bo o mystery to the Editor Of THE
TRIBUNE asit to many others who have
the matter that the colonsts should persist such great
length Of time and at great expense In their efforts to
mako settlements the Oklahoma lands; but to those
who understand the question thoroughly 1t Is neither
mysterious surprising. II Is fact, stated In THE
TRIBUNE that for year the coonists have kept mp
camp. but all times borders Of the Indian
Territory. Several times during the past year have
entered upon aud made actual settlement upon the
Oklahoma lands we honestly believe We have legal
right to do the Indian title said lands having been
extInguished by purchase Of tho Creek and Seminole
tribes by the United In the year Of 1885, the land
paid for and has been surveyed into townships,
sections and quarter sections by the United States.
No Indians occupy 1t claim any right Of title
occupancy. The land has not set apart for any
particular purpose by the Government Therefore, We
claim the right make settlement upon said lands under
the public land laws OF the United States, which are In
effect that any citizen OF the United States may mako
settlement upon any land within any State Territory
Will Ia tad whQ Indian has
extingished unless reserved other specified pur
poses, and may make entry under the homestead aud
pre-cmption laws. Understanding the legal status Of
this question the colonsts do, and knowing that the
country they desire occupy Is the finest In the land
being well adapted to agriculture, soil rich and FERTILE
plenty Of good timber and abundance OF good water,
each well distributed tho country, almost the
tire country covered with fine native grass and the
elm mild and pleasant It'll not surprising that they
should persist In thsir efforts to make sottcmcnt and
homes In Oklahoma IL II true that for several past
while the coonsts have endeavored to effect settle
ment the United states Army has been employed In
arrested several times but the whole matter has been
trined with by the Government In most dasrant
been permitted TO occupy the land, without
thorty OF law and without molestation This unjust
Discrimination this trihing with Justice and the
rights OF American citizens on tho part Of the
ba, strsnrthepsd them In their opiuion as 10
their legal rights and their determination TO establish
tho SAME Hence you eau readily sec why they are
persistent even at great expense to the nseyes The
REQUIREMENT OF homestead foreach of the homeseeers
not the only thing involved In this question: the rights
ctxousp also involved, which have already been
trampled by tho Government Itself. perhaps should
say at dctation Of Government officials Instead OF
being backed by capitalists we are lighting the strong
est corporation known In the Western country IL Is
estimated that there s Invested In tho cattle bus
ness in Oklahoma and the surrounding reservation at
least fortylVc million dollars The Whole opposition to
settlement OF Oklahoma II produced through the in
nucnco OF those cattle few people
who have not Investigated the matter sufficiently to
know the facts Ia the ease
With reference TO The members OF the colony, desire
TO say that they are honest, Intelligent industrious
people from every State in the Union. They
condition as Is supposed by great many
persons All sefsupporting; they arc representa-
1.-Two almost every trade, business AMI profession
They Of the benefits u early settlement In new
aud country and dcsre TO avail themselves OF the
same this Not few OF them have contributed
great deal Of valuable time aud money IN the attempt
10 establish their rights. and stu ready and wnx
behaving they right and right Will prevail. Hoping
tnls mag satisfactory answer. most respectfully
yours. ,,, w. l. CoCch,