New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-16
ruE 0FT1gO1Z SORIMBLB.

II becomes more and more apparent than
there is danger Of serious trouble when the bars
are let down and the rush into Oklahoma be-
gins. There are only about 10000 quarter
sections of land to be taken up, and 1t is esti-
mated that within ten days after the opening
at least 80, 900 persons will endeayor to force
their way in. 4 certain proportion Of these
are lawless characters, and between the reck-
lessness of many of the frontier class and the
natural willingness of almost any man to do
fend his land with his life, it is feared that
there may be serious conflicts, beside which
county seat wars would seem tame Affairs The
prospect Of long and vexatious disputes, en-
broiling neighbors and communities, is not re
assuring, even where there should be no resort
to physical vielence. The question has already
arisen at Washington whether it may not be
necessary to call an extra session OF Congress
to establish some form Of government over the
newly opened territory. 1t will DO without
government, except that the inhabitants can
have recourse to two or three Federal courts
in the surrounding country, and to one especial
" established. But il the anticipations Of
population of 90, 900 at the end of month or
two should be verified, this legal machinery
would be utterly inadequate, and this great
mass of people would have to rely upon the
primitive methods OF the Vigilance COMMITTEE
and lynch law.
1t is clear that bitter disappointments await
many Of the home seekers. One cause OF this
will be the fact that many associations OF boom
ers have been going over the land for years
past, stalking out the most desirable claims,
and even in some cases marking out town lots.
The members of these societies know just where
their chosen sites lie, and will take the shortest
route to reach them. II is said that in the
case OF some specially desirable claims arrange
ments have been made for relays OF horses, so
as to make a quick dash TO the coveted spot.
II is obvious that the emigrant, now to the
country, and travelling in q slow-mOving
"prairie- schooner will be left far behind in
such race. The members Of these societies
will stand together in case Of trouble. 1t will
not be strange il We hear within few weeks
sad stories of suffering and privation from the
promised land-of disappointment and ruin for
those who have looked forward with eager
faith to the certainty Of foothold in a coun-
try whose fertility has been exploited from
Maine TO California.
We are getting a glimpse now OF the other
side of the shield. The beautiful land" has
been commonly reported 10 be most bountifu
one also, and part of it is no doubt exceed
ingly productive. But the exaggeration with
which the attractions Of the region have been
described is already chilled by the reports OF
those who know the country and have no mo-
tive for deceiving the public. Much Of the
land, it is said, is sandy and not fit for cutiya-
ton. There are also great stretches OF clay
and thin gravel. There is some good farming
land, and some that is Of marvellous fertility
When the country comes TO be divided up into
farms of q quarter-section each, 1t Is easy TO
see that while some will find themselves as
rich as 100 virgin acres can make a man, many
others will be only fairly well of, and some
will be in downright ill-luck. The country is
declared to be peculiarly adapted to stock
raising, rather than TO farming. A correspond
ent of " The Chicago Tribune" who writes with
thorough knowledge Of the country, says it
is, as a whole, ga fair farming country-scarce-
| ly good one" The climate is mild, with ex-
cessively hot days in summer, followed, how
ever by a delicious GOODNESS at night and molli-
fed even during the day by pleasant breezes.
| Snowfalls during winter are light, but the cold
| is penetrating. Prevailing high winds and
dust are the chief drawbacks to an otherwise
delightful climate. Owing TO these high winds
farm work has sometimes to be donc at night.
The country is we'll watered, but much Of the
water is bad and unfit to drink being salty or
alkaline or both. The country Is said not to
| be well wooded.
These are the characteristics of fairly prom
Using country, but not Of an earthly paradise.
It is to be feared that the story Of Oklahoma
will not be completed without some gloomy
chapters.