The Helena independent., 1889-04-13
FOR SETTLERS.
Commissioner Siockslsger Makes
Plain Some Questions Concern
ing Oklahoma Entries.
The Belief That the Cherokee Outlet
Will Have to be Thrown Open
Very Soon.
Kansas noomcr. Rejoicing over Secretar,
Nobles Late Order and AnNIously
Awaiting April ee.

WAsHISaToS. April l2-The commits
sioner OF the general land office made pub.
lie to-day several letters as being OF gen
eral interest TO persons contemplating set
tement In Oklahoma. Commissioner
Stockslager. in replying to letter from o.
NJ. Wilson. At Arkansas City, Kan, says In
part: "l have 20 state that the lands In
question are TO be disposed OF to actual
settlers under the homestead laws, and
only q party desiring 10 become an actual
settler under under the homestead laws
may initiate his claim by entry at the dis
trict land office, after properly examining
aud selecting land desired, In which
case he Is allowed six months
from the date OF entry within
which 10 establish his actual residence on
the land; or, II he 50 elect he may initiate
his claim by actual settlement on the land,
which must consist Of some act OF acts con
Meeting himself with the particular tract
claimed, said act OF acts 10 be equivalent TO
10 the announcement OF such his intention,
and from which the public generally may
have notice Of his claim. Thereafter he is
allowed three months within which TO
make his claim for record by entry In the
district land Office"
Auuttltt VI CtHhtoi tukdllt HUN iuiii-
mander Stockslager Is as follows. 81 have
had the honor receive by reference from
you and herewith return letter addressed
10 you by q. 4. Sommers, dated Oklahoma
Station, l. r., the oath. In reply have To
state that the act OF March 2, 1889. 10 which
Sommers refers, provides rs he states, that
no one shall be permitted TO enter or ac-
Srr' SSe osIaySOm. AJAX fs1, lands to to any Se as
posed of hereunder who violates
its provisions BY entering upon and occu-
pying the same prior 10 ~ O'Clock, noon,
April %, the date fixed In the presidents \
proclamation of March 22 for said lands 90
become open 10 settlement. The statutes
makes no exception 10 this provision.
am inclined 10 think, however. that when n
person was already within these lands at
the date Of approval OF the act by proper
authority, his presence there should not be
regarded AS violation OF this provision OF
the act. Primary Jurisdiction TO act upon
applications 10 enter rests with the district
land officers, and Sommers may present
his application for entry to the land with
proper proof OF his allegations. should
they refuse TO permit the entry he may ap-
peal from this action"
Commissioner Stockslager to-day ex-
pressed the opinion that 100000 persons
would enter Oklahoma within a month
after April %. For these 100 900 people
there are only about 10000 homesteads.
The Inevitable result Of this tremendous
influx. the commissioner thought, would
be- great many contests and personal con
ilicts. A further result, he feared, would
be the Spreading OF this immense surplus
over the adjoining Indian lands, from
which II would be difficult 20 disl0dge
them without much trouble, and pos
sibly some bloodshed. II the commission
appointed % treat with the Cherokees for
the cessation OF the Cherokee outlet could
complete their labOrs within the next few
months 80 the new tract might be opened
to settlement before congress again meets,
this might and probably would relieve the
pressure. Otherwise he feared matters
would become complicated and the ,quilib-
rum restored with difficulty.
WINFIELD, Kans, April I2.-0ne hun
dred Oklahoma boomers camped along
Walnut river here are rejoicing at the or.
der Of Secretary Noble allowing them To
drive across the Cherokee strip before
April %. Most OF them will break camp
"Wednesday next 10 20 In to camp on the
border Of Oklahoma. The final rush has
set In and every train brings 10 scores OF
men from all parts Of the county 20 await
the Oklahoma opening day. No less than
5000 strangers are now In the city await
ing the date fixed.