Democratic messenger., 1889-04-27
OKLAHOMA NO GOOD.
Not More Than Half the Land
Suitable for Farming-Blood-
shed Predicted.

WASHINGTON. April IA letter has
been received here from Lieut.. John NJ.
Carson, Jr., Fifth United States cavalry,
who has been serving in Oklahoma with
his regiment for the past four years. This
young officer has ridden over nearly every
section of Oklahoma. Being familiar with
its topography, climate aud resources, and
being free from all prejudice his OBJ
scrva,ions are specially valuable and will
be found interesting To those who are
watching events in Oklahoma. Lieut.
CarSon's letter is dated nj Fort Reno, April,
.. To which point he had just returned
from u scout along the Canadian river
Lieut.. Carson says:
BIooDsnED FEARED.
States courts will prevent blooGshcd IN
the settlement of Oklahoma. The Oil
boomers have raised wind that promises
To become II whrlwind, and anticipating
that this cannot be controlled are anxious
about their chances for securing land. The
country has been so tremendously boom
al by certain men and newspapers and
people have thereby been so far misled by
inaccurate statements that comparatively
few have any idea 0f what Oklahoma real
ly is-its extent, character Of land, climate
or resources. Perhaps tiye.sixths Of the
people regard Oklahoma rs II near ap'
prOach Ia the Garden OF Eden, where II is
simply necessary To cast seed over the
ground in order to reap bountiful crops,
and that they can sit under vines AMI iig
trees, 50 to speak, in the enjoyment of an
cIuablc aud magnificent climate. \ resi-.
dcncc of twelve months In Oklahoma will
completely dispcl this illusion, destroy
many carefully nursed hopes and wipe out
many small fortunes, especially should the
settlers experience one OF our cold win.
tcrs, followed by long, dry, hot summer,
such MS We had in 1885 and 1856.
DELuDnD By THE ouTcRy.
THE great Outcry so long maintained
about Oklahoma has been the means Of
attracting people from all parts Of the
country, and every day brings new arri.
walls To points along the border, all Of
whom are impaticnily awaiting the com.
ing Of April ~, the day fixed for the open.
ing Of the gates 10 this imagined land of
promise. As the amount of land To be
opened for settlement Is limited 10 about
,SOO. 600 acres the chances for getting
any of il will vary inveIsely with the mum.
her Of people who will want il.
ALARM AMONG THE OLD BOoMERs
"rhe old boomers fully realize this aud
see the chances for securing a piece ot
good land daily lcsscning. OF the l,sW,'
900 acres included in the presidents proc
lamation not more than i,0OOO 900 are what
can bc properly designated rs good farm
land. 4 knowledge of these facts is pro.
ducing n state of alarm among the old
boomers aud has made some Of them dcs'
pcmic They are forming, hear, Tor mu.
iual protection and To keep of outsiders
This Is wha. may lead 10 bloOdshed, for
there will very probably be men among
the outsiders Just as determined and just
as well prepared to take care OF them
selves rs the old agilators."
In conclusion. the lieutenant suggests
that II il is tbs intention 10 open the re.
nainder Of the Creek and Seminole pur-
chase and the Cherokee strip the SOONER
Il Is done the better. lie also says that
the commissioners appointed To treat with
the Indians cannot act too promptly and
expeditiously.