The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-03-29
s.ATTLE. snTDaY. MARcH q


The Oklahoma lands. which were
opened b. homesteadentry on Wesinez-
day by presidential proclam alton. lie
In the very heart Of Indian territory.
The tract comprises something over
two thousand square miles. and Is sur-
rounded on every hand by the lands
which have been donated to various
Indian tribes as s permanent place 81
residence The soil Is surprisingly
rich. well vatered, and. ~ one who
has visited the country says. IL pre-
sents an area which may well be
styled vast uncultivated garden. For
six or eight years the lands have been
looked upon with envious eyes by a
horde OF settlers along the Kansas
line, and as early a. 1852 an entrance
was effected by company OF boom
crs' under the leadership of the well
known Oklahoma hero, Payne. Under
him the would-bc colony numbered
about 500 people, hut II has now
rapidly Increased, and has been esti-
mated 10 number to-day Is 90 men.
women and children, who will ct once
proceed TO settle up and cultivate the
land upon which they have had their
eyes fastened for so many months.
The Springer bin opened the larger
part OF the Oklahoma territory. but.
as the senate failed 10 agree TO 1t. the
bin never became law. The Indian
appropriation bill, however, provided
that the president might declare open
60 homestead settlement those lands
decided some time ago TO the United
states BY the Greeks and seminoles
and this Is the quarter to which the
crowd OF boomers Is now fastening.
There are about s .0co. 600 aeres cf these
lands and s.0oo,oe0 acres lie in the
heart Of oklahoma district Already
hundreds have entered upon them and
time and again been driven out by the
government. Houses have been de-
stroyed and every attempt made 10
prevent the pioneers from violating
the law, bat they have concealed
themselves In the woods and upon the
disappearance of the military. have
set about again preparing home and
clearing their land for cultivation.
When I, became known that the hill
opening paft OF the country had
actually been passed and that 1t only
remained for the president to say
when those waiting along the border
should be permitted to 20 in and take
up the land. the excitement became
intense and for tine last three weeks
the country adjacent 10 Caldwell and
Arkansas City. the points from which
emigrants start out. has been in per-
feet turmoil aud the prnclamst alton sees
them rushing in and sguabhling for
homcsteads like 50 many chickens 10
whom corn is thrown. BY provision
of the new bill. those who have en-.
tered upon the land before II was
opened are ,lebarred from the privi-
lege Of acquiring title and for this rea-
son il Is expected that not few con-
tests win arise between those who
enter now and men who have been
holding down the land for years In
hopes of an early proclamation deeiar-
Ing them entitled to settle ia IL Two
land offices have been established. bsss
local government Is certain 10 be ina,
perfect and unsatisfactory. and. as
those who have once been allowed on
the lands viii doubtlessls push on
either 20 lands not set opened or 10 In,
dian reservations in The ncighborhooa
IL Is probable the government viii
have It's hands full In preserving orslef
and settling disputes between different
sets of claimants.