Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-12-03
LANDS OF THE TERRITORY.
Secretary Noble Treats the Subject in
His Annual Report.

His Annual Report.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.-In long report
the secretary of the interior touches upon
many topics of especial interest to those
engaged in the development of the west.
lie refers to the remarkable opening of the
Oklahoma country as most important
event, and says:
Congress, by the act of March 1, 1889 (25
Stats, 785), ratified an agreement entered
into by the then secretary Of the interior
on behalf Of the United States with the
duly authorized delegation of the Musko-
gee Or Greek nation of Indians, whereby,
IN consideration of 81, 2S0. 857. 10, these In
dams coded to the United States complete
title to the west half of their domain, con-
5aining 3,402, 450. 9s acres, lying in the In
dian territory.
BY section IL of the Indian appropria-
ticn act of March 2, 1sS (25 stats, l0C4) the
Seminole nation of Indians, in coDs!dera-
zion OF 81, 9l2 942 OF, released and conveyed
to the United States all their title and
claim to certain lands in the Indian ter
ritory coded by these Indians to the
United States by article B, treaty of 1866
IA stats, 1861, containg an area of 2,O37,-
4l4.62. Thus the aggregate of these two
eessions is 5, 439, S65. 90 acres. By the thir-
teenth section of this appropriation act,
provision was made that the lands so &C
quired, except the sixteenth ane thirty
sixth sections, should be opened for settle
ment by proclamation of the presi-
lent, and disposed of to actual settlers
under homestead laws only. But it was
hound upon careful examination that of all
these lands so acquired 1862 064. 13 acres
were In the possession and occupancy of
various other Indian tribes, under laws,
mr. ord o,,1 hot
l,SS1,79647 acres were unoccupied and in
condition to be opened.
A careful estimate, based upon the judg-
ment of reliable men of the territory,
makes the present population of Oklaho-
ma, in round numbers. 10000, of which
1890 persons are distributed among twen-
ty-elght towns, the largest of which are:
Guthrie, including East and West Guth-
RE and Capitol Hill, 5000; Kingisher and
Lisbon 5000; Oklahoma City, including
South Oklahoma City, 5000 Total 16, 900.
The territory contains twenty-nine
schools and thirty-eight churches, and
publishes twenty-five newspapers. The
number of schools and churches does not
include few that are outside of town
limits, data as to these not being readily
Obtalnable.
THE CHEROKEE COMMISSION.
Before proceeding to review and present
the business of the different bureaus of
the department, in their order, it is
deemed desirable to report progress under
the Cherokee commission; particularly as
the results of the labors of this commission
VIII be connected with Oklahoma, snd
may add more territory to that district all
SO be brought under one territorial govern
ment.
This commission is established under
the same act that authorized the opening
10 4 n alT.
Is Stats. [. S, p. 1861
Ii is authorized to negotiate with the
Cherokee Indians, and with all other
Indians owning or claiming lands living
west of the Seth degree of longitude in the
Indian territory, for the cession to the
United states OF all their title, claim, or
interest of every kind or character in and
TO said land, and any and all agreements
resulting from such negotiations shall be
reported to the president, and by him to
congress at its next session, and to the
council or councils of the nation or ma
tlons, tribe or tribes, agreeing to the same
for ratification"
BY this act the president is also author
lied to establish land districts not to ex-
coed two, and appoint the usual registers
and receivers.
The commission selected consisted. when
it began its work, of General Lucius Fair
child, OF Wisconsin, chairman Ganersl
John F. Hartranft, Of Pennsylvania. and
the Hon. Alfred VI. Wilson, of Arkansas.
But since the lamented death of General
Hartranft, MS place has been filled by
Hon. Warren y. Sayre, of Indiana
They have visited the Indian territory
ana have been engaged in preliminary con-
1erences ana correspondence with the var
ious tribes of Indians claiming the land
There seems to be desire on the part OF
most OF them to reiinquish their nronerty
for the price which the commission is will
ing to offer; but the Cherokees have NOT
yet shown disposition to cede their lands
at any price. 1t has come to the knowl-
edge OF the secretary. through the commits
sion or otherwise, that Principal Chief
Mayes, OF the Cherokees, has advocated a
continuance of a lease for grazing upou
the lands within the Cherokee Outlet,
rather than to transfer that property. or
any claim that the Indians may have on il
TO the United States
THE PUBLIC LAND STRIP.
The opening of Oklahoma has increased
the anxiety of the inhabitants (some 10 OOt
IN numberl Of The narrow strip of public
land just west of Indian territory, COM
monty known as NO Mans Land" fol
some legislation in their behalf Numer.
Jus petitions and memorials have been
received on the subject, and | recommend
mat such code OF laws be provided fol
me guidance, control and protection OF
hose residing in this district. Before
these lands can be opened 10 entry they
must be surveyed. The cost of such s
survey will be at least $4,000, for which
special appropriation. to be immediately
available, should be made
REDEMPTION OF ARID LANDS.
rhe subject next in Importance in the
land Office deem that of the system al.
ready inaugurated by congress for the re
demption OF the arid regions by irrigation