The National tribune., 1892-05-05
GOOD LOCATIONS.
SOMETHING ABOUT OKLAHOMA

soMETHING ABOUT OKLAHOMA.
In complying with your request for reports
concerning the wheat prospects this Spring
have inadvertently got myself into business
which in turn will have to ask you 20 help
get me out of.
1 had not the least idea that THE NATIONAL
TRIBUNE had such an extensive circulation as
it has. Comrades seeing my wheat report
have deluged me With inquiries concerning
this country, which l am DESTROYS of answer
ing, but to do so separately would be great
tax upon my time, which comrades take no
thought of. 1 tried answering a few and
found could not spare the time, hence / ap-
peal to you and will take it as favor to N.Y.
self as we'll as to ali those interested if you will
publish the following:
The ownership of Greer County, Oklahoma,
is in dispute. It is claimed by the United
States and also by Texas. The case is now in
the United States Supreme Court and it is
thought will be decided this Fall.
About all the best land in this County mas
been taken up in the last three years under
the Homestead laws of Texas which allow
each settler to hold go acres. If this case is
decided in favor of Uncle Sam each settler
holding $40 acres will have TO release $50 acres
which will furnish three more families with
homes. Should it go to Texas, then each set
tier holding section or less will have to
pay $3.50 per acre in 10 years time. and have
to reside at least three years thereon.
The soil is very productive, and the surface
of the country is gently rolling. In addition
to cotton you can raise everything here that
can be raised North. Wheat produced from 10
to 80 bushels per acre; corn, 80 to 40; oats, rs
to so; cotton, half to one bale; of Irish and
sweet potatoes the yield ia immense. Land
cannot be bought here now, but claims eau be
had at from 500 to ST 800, according to size
and improvement We have churches schools,
blacksmith shops and postoffices, and such con-
veniences as are generally found in new
country.
This is prairie country, and, like all prairie
countries is at times somewhat windy, but
there ere no destructive storms that can hear
of. Timber is scarce, some being found on
margin of streams and scattering mesqueit over
the prairies; but coal can be bought at $3.50 per
ton at railroad, 90 miles distant. Water is in
plenty, good and bad. The principal water is
called gyp, and by newcomers is pronounced
bad, although clear, cool, and nice to look at.
l prefer it to any water here on account of its
laxative qualities, and to receive its benefits is
what induced me to come here, as am troubled
with chronic consti patiOn. After time per-
son gets used to it, and to it l attribute the
healthfulness of this country, which l contend
cannot be surpassed anywhere.
One thing noticeable by the newcomer is the
enormous appetite he acquires soon after COM
ing here, and which he never loses
The rainfall is not as great here as further
East, yet there has never been failure of crops
since it has been settled. The air is dry and
bracing, and the Winters mild and short. The
cattle can subsist on the range all Winter. We
have 10 tame grass, nothing but mesqueit
grass, which seems to be sufficient for all pur-
poses.
Prices are: Lumber, 50 per 100 feet at rail-
road provisions-hour. $3.50; bacon, Z cents;
coffee, % cents; sugar, 5 and cents; cattle
yesrlings, 81 to So; two-yea -olds, Sc to So;
three year-olds $40 to $12; fresh cows, 10;
Texas ponies, $50 to $50; American horses, $25
to SIPS; mules, about same.
Comrades desiring to purchase land. and who
DO not like undertaking to brave the hardships
of q now country yet but who wish to locate
in n warmer climate, with land cheap and wood
and water good and plenty, l could not recon-
mend better place than the northern tier of
Counties in Texas-Cooke County in particular.
have farm there, but not for sale. viii take
pleasure in putting comrades in communication
with parties owning land there ii they inclOse
stamps for reply.-IsAIAH MILLS, Co. G. 39th
Ind, also Sth Ind. Cav, Louis, Greer Co., Okla.