The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-04-22

later the southern boundary OF Kansas
were fixed, this strip OF land, containing
3,700,0O0 acres was left out, aud has re-
NAMED out 10 this day. Adding this to
the section proposed to be cut of from
Indian Territory, Oklahoma would con-
tain %, 267, no acres, mostly fertile land,
with mild and equable climate, and
offering every.inducementto the settler,
AGRAPIuc DESCRIPTION.
A New York Herald correspondent
has written graphic description Of the
new country, from which the following
brief extract Is taken;
Out in the heart OF the Oklahoma
country 1t is very much easier 10 appre.
Ciate the intense desire to possess the
land which actuates the man who has
once been there than 1t Is for the average
man, whose knowledge Of the country
is obtained wholly from the perusal Of
newspaper articles. The country is beau.
tifnl and the situation Is romantic.
From hilltop, the original site Of the
town Of Ewing, where Captain Payne
was captured by the soldiers | saw
country as fair as eye could wish to rest
on. The beautiful valley Of the North
Canadian River stretches for miles on
either side OF the stream, being espe-
Cially broad on the south side, before,
by gradual ascent, the uplands are reach.
ed, whence the gently rolling prairies
stretch into boundless space.
GARDEN PLOT.
This North Canadian Valley is the
garden spot Of tho Oklahoma country
the Canaan Of the boomers. Soil OF the
utmost fertility, water in abundance
rivers, springs, lakes-timber on the
river banks and here and there over the
pralries, giving the entire scene park
like appearance, and q climate that
knows not extremes, all combine 10 en-
hance the beauty OF the county, and To
assure In the future q land flowing with
milk and honey.
The trip from Wichita to Oklahoma
City was a succession Of surprises and
revelations. Every mile or two after
leaving the metropolis OF Southwest
Kansas trains OF covered wagons were
seen winding their way toward the Kan
sas line.
There is no mistaking the jumping of
place into the Indian Territory. On the
one side are the cultivated fields OF Kan
sas, on the other tho vast expanse OF
rolling prairie known as the Cherokee
Strip. The first stop made was at Will
low Springs. Soon after leaving this
point we entered the Ponca reservation,
situated near the confluence OF tho Salt
Ford. There Is plenty Of timber sur
rounding this little gathering Of DWELL
ings.
From Poncato Mendoza, station near
tile Black Bear Creek, the country grows
more rolling and better timbered In the
vicinity OF the waterways.
A PLEASING VIEW.
The morerugged country in the neigh
borhood Of Black Bear Creek soon gives
way to the fertile valleys of the oklahO.
ma country, and by the time the fine
trestle bridge across the oimaron is
reached tho view from the train is one
Of great:beauty and presents an immense
tract OF valley land Of glorious fertility
and as favored in: the way OF natural
drainage, timber and water as perhaps
any other lands within the domain Of
the United States. Soon'we ran into
Oklahoma City and out again into the
darkness, and 1t was during the run from
here to Purcell that, for perhaps twenty
miles, we paralleled n blazing wall Of
fire said TO have been started by the
boomers TO starve out the cattle men.
The frontier town Purcell stands on
lofty bluff overlooking the South Cana.
dian river, and to tho east part OF the
Oklahoma country. A number OF very
primitive looking frame structures, tents,
holes In the ground covered with canvas
and every conceivable form OF habitatlol
that will serve for temporary protection
are perched on the hillside, but Us one
passes these and reaches the bluff there
looms up a gathering Of more pretentious
buildings which form the business por-
ton Of the town, but which were evi.
IDENTIFY constructed with q view 10 their
easy removal should 1t be deemed advis.
able TO transfer the town 10 any point
that might appear more suitable, the
only structures OF any permanenCy DO.
Ing the Catholic mission school and the
church and school buildings Of the
Methodist, Presbyterian and Catholic
denominations.
To the south Of Purcell lie the Chlcka.
saw and Pottawatomie countries, which
may well be counted among the richest
and most productive lands in the Union,
UNPARALLELED PRRrrLlTY.
Paul's Valloy Is one immense farm,
stretching for miles without sign Of
fence. Aiailure Of crops Is an unheard
Of thing, and corn often yields hun.
drcd bushels 10 the acre and sells now
In Purcell at twenty cents bushel.
Cotton Is said 10 20 a bale 10 tho acre.
The South Canadian below Purcell Is
almost dry, and presents broad chan
mel whose dangerous quiCksands have
buried many a traveller and hidden
many a murder.
Boomers In numbers were Camped
among the jack oaks iringlng the banks,
but rs soon as tho line Is crossed into
Oklahoma proper they are hard 10 find,
not because there gre none, BECAUSE they
are hidden Ia the breaks and lp tho belts
OF timber, fearful lest they shall DO seen
BY soldiers. Tho country here is broken
aud does not improve very much until,
al Norman, tho divide between tho
North and South Canadians Ia passed,
Here the country grows more level until
Oklahoma City, The buildings here are
few and Of the most unptelentous char.
. aGtef,
! Further up the river We crested and
struck the old Afbuokle trail, over
!, which In days gone by much Of The
= wealth oi the Texas cattle rangers
: !, mounted the hill top, the site Of The
y town Of Ewing, whence we viewed the
magnificent North Canadian valley In
!, all ia richness,
y ohShoIps Harry Hills ranch, which
= he sAEel Guy during The Payne raid
i Y hea! ny aud below uB IN Tie vooda
Il though wa Nbulh NAT 80 III WSN'.sl W