The Russellville Democrat., 1889-07-18
NORMAN. I. T., July E.

NORMAN, L T., July l2. Editor DEMOCRAT:
 h former letter, said something of Guthr1e, the town sboui which so much has been said and written h tbe Oklahoma country.
 Now. I come to Oklahoma City, s town of about six thousand inhsblt- ants, and Eitnsted on the north bank of the North Canadian river, and the second place in size snd population in Oklahoma
 The town is located at the foot of s high and beautiful rolling prairie lu s low, fat bottom where it would seem impossible for mosqnitos to live, but there gre something over million there. The green. stag nant ponds Of water in the streets and under the houses are sufficient to breed poison enough to kill oui two thirds Of that towns population n the next ninety days. Wherever dirt can be had, the streets are being filed, which drives the water under the houses, snd many large buildings haven't S dry inch of earth under them, hence, ts all up the ponds and put the streets il respectable conai- ton durng dry weather will cost what property ought to be reasona bly, worth on dry ground. What do you think will be the condition Of about four miles of street in that town, black, muddy bottom during the winter and spring months, being from sixty 10 one hundred feet ID widthf The soil is about the same ss dn Garris1n Avenue st Ft Smith, and that town has been unable to pave one street up 10 this time, snd what will Oklahoma City do with streets four times &s long, snd it's country entirely new and undeyeloped, on which il must depend for it's support in the futures The only reason ss- signed for getting down ID that Hat bottom to build the town, IS because the railroad depot snd water tank wss there and the town could not afford 10 get too far away. An immense excuse when only half mile north along the rail road is s beautiful high prairie over looking the entire town, but the bus mess part now is located somewhere in the mud, and judge will stick the most of iAe year, ss close ss All cocks porous plasters. some ef Capt Psyne's log huts of split uD Der standing on end covered over with split half trees, with about ten inch es of blseE turf or sod on top to serve ss roofing, still stand to mark the boomers camping ground during dry weather. The country above sud beloW the town IS fine land, while tie prsIries east and west are better than st or near Guthrie.
 From Oklahoma City, ] came south 10 Norman, $ distance Of about IT, teen miles. This town is located on level prairie, surrounded by the best lands I have seen in the territo- ". Its population Is about seven hundred, and Us location is such ss to secure it the county seat ss soon as counties are formed in the terrl- tory. It's future is better in an sg rieQltural sense than any Of the towns visited so far. The ChIekEsAw Ns tion is only four miles west across the South CAnEdisn river, which IS said to be the finest farming country ln the Nation. The Pottswsttime Indians inhAbli the country ten miles east which is claimed Es being fairly good land. Bat there is too much prairie in the whole business for me. l rode out with 2 friend last evening to take ID some chick ems. and very soon found s coop and after bRgsing about dozen in quick succession, l remarked, Lets go to the shade and get water. We look ed out for shade, but moi tree in sight. We travelled several miles finding chickens oE the rOnte and taking them in, when remarked: We must have water" Hence Ee struck line for dugout m sight Riding up to the door the lady &p- pe&red looking pale, when we asked for water. She said there was none st the house, ss she WAS chilling, but there EAs spuug about four hun dred yards in 8 sink or draw below the house. We hastily went down and found the spring, hole dug four feet deep in red clay and about one bucket Of water in the bottom. Any kind Of water wAs good now, l thought, but it tasted like water, l imagined, in Sn old Ash piae, Never ;heless, it wAs water, and fairly good for this country.
 Will quit the towns and give you something of the country and my opinion of lts future, in my next let ter. Am 10 Aae health and obserTing every point uf interest throughout the country of which l expect 10 write in detail for your next Issue.
 Yours &c., JAxEs P0TTs.