Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1888-03-15
THE oHnRoKnE STRIP LEASE.

the council should take steps to
get the market value.
Some advocating the lease to
the Cherokee Strip Live Stock
association for s125,0C0 per
annum, perhaps really believe
that s125,0 900 is the market value
and therefore that it is just to
lease it for this sum. 1t is not
the market value Of it, however,
as can be readily but positively
learned by comparison with SINH
lar lands elsewhere. This has
been thoroughly done by r. l..
Owen, Esq, and publicly declared
in The public square at the nation
al capitol a Tahlequah. He
showed clearly that such lands
we're valued in Texas at from 6 to
s cents unfenced and from 10 to
20 cents per acre when fenced.
This statement Of facts remain un-
challenged. They cannot be truth
fully disputed. Then he showed
that where cattle were placed on
range and paid for per capita they
cost from 81 to SO a head per an
mum.
Take these figures and at 6 cents
per acre, the lowest figure for un-
fenced lands, it would give an esti-
mated value to these lands Of
1850, 600 per annum.
These lands are fenced, howev-
er, on the Strip and taking the
lowest value Of fenced lands, that
is, 10 cents per acre, it would
make the splendid income Of $780,
600 per annum.
Taking the number Of cattle
this country would feed, allowing
10 acres to the head, we have 400,-
600 head and taking the low esti-
mate Of s1.50 PEI head per annum
we have the same income of $780,
600 per annum.
1t may be estimate d in other
ways. Suppose the land to be
worth $500 an acre-and we all
know it to be much more valua-
ble-the cash value would be sl2,-
OOO,000.00, and at 8 per cent. the
interest would be 100000 per
annum as income from so much
money invested in grazing lands
at the low rate of 8 per cent. This
is low rate because cattlemen gem
orally are glad to get money at 10
per cent.
Some may say however that this
land is not SO valuable as Western
Texas land. Any man acquainted
with both sections will readily per-
ceive the great advantages possess
ed by the Cherokee Strip, to-w;t:
Equally good grass, better water
supply, no taxes, nearness t. mar
ket and consequential saving Of
freight. feed charges, saving OF the
shrinkage due to a long journey on
the cars, ability to get cattle into
stock yards on rising market, free
salt on Cherokee Strip, free tim
Der for fences, corrais, and fuel
and houses needed-advantages
which make this strip immensely
more valuable than a like tract on
the staked plains Of Texas.
Some Jealous advocates say tn at
the cattle business is on a decline
and that the Cherokee Strip Live
Stock association cannot pay any
more than they have already done.
That for the reason that the cattle
men are embarrassed, therefore
they cannot give more than Sl25,-
600 for this property, and the prop
erty is only worth what these men
can give. How absurd ! The de-
cline in the value per head of cat
tie is due to the enormous number
Of cattle and the failure of those
investing ON a high market fol-
lowed by a sudden decline. The
number Of the cattle or the change
in ownership has little to do with
the necessity for the cattle being
fed or the market value of grass.
The way to determine the value of
this grass land is not by loosely
and vaguely talking about the fail
ures and misiortunes of one set of
owners but determine the question
by going into market and enquir-
ing the value now of similar lands
held by other people. Whatever
their land is worth, Cherokee land
is worth. This is shown above.
Chief Mayes acted wisely and
honorably in vetoing the lease bill
and will confirm himself in the es-
teen and respect Of good citizens
when he has taken three or four
months in which to invite inspec-
ton and bids, and then only con-
vening the council TO learn the re-