Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1892-01-09
THE QUAPAw LANDS.

Ouob UCtOtO hO utCu OCh0bOA
introduced bill In the senate pro-
viding for the sale of the surplus lands
of the Quapaw nation to actual set
tiers. There is no doubt that this or
some similar bill will be passed dur
ing the present session of congress and
that the lands will be opened for set
tlement very soon.
Baxter Springs has deep interest
IN this matter as the lands in question
are in close proximity 20 this city aud
the settlement ct so large a tract Of
land means d large increase to our out
side trade. The lands are very pro.
ductive and would all be taken as
soon as offered for sale.
Up to the present time many of the
Quapaws have opposed the sale of
their lands but they are now unani-
mously in favor OF 1t and will accept
any reasonable proposition the gov
ernment may make them. By the
purchase OF these lands for the use of
actual settlers no injustice is intended
the Indians. They will first be allotted
individually q liberal tract of land
which they can cultivate or lease |;
they will thou receive for their surplus
lands sufficient amount 10 build them
homes and otherwise improve their
farms, 80 that in reality they will not
only he swell fixed" financially but
they will be enabled 10 make u long
stride towards civilization, progress
aud christianity.
The people Of Baxter Springs are
not noted for their philanthropy or
sentimental benevOlence aud II Is per-
haps chiefly from personal or selfish
motives that we are so anxious to have
the lands which lie so near 10 us i'm
proved and cultivated, hut the Indians
have always had kind treatment from
our people and are anxious to have US
cooperate with them in securing as
favorable legislation as can be obtain
cd under the circumstances. We
want TO see that country settled BY the
very best class of farmers and not pass
into the hands Of wild eyed boomers
or willy speculalors. The Indian
should be protected in all his rights and
privileges and the bona fide settler
should also bc made secure IN his titles
and tenenents.
II may be well to say word with
regard TO the quality Of the Quapaw
lands. A large portion Of them con-
sist Of high rolling prairie well water
ell by numerous small streams and
springs. The soil is rich and suitable
sor all kinds of agriculture, fruit grow.
ing aud dairy purposes. The climate
is the finest in America and the
geographical location of these lands
within the rain belt makes them more
valuable than any of the lands recent
ly purchased from Indian tribes. On
that portion of the reservation lying
east of Spring river the country is
more broken and unsuitable for farm
ing purposes but it is full of rich
mineral and may when developed
prove to be the richest portion of the
tract. There is also large amount
of fine timber in the Quapaw reserve
which can be utilized for building
purposes and fuel.
We understand Mr.. Plumb's bill
has passed 3 second reading and will
be pushed forward to its passage.
Senator Perkins has done more to-
wards opening Indian reservations
than any other man in congress and
he will continue to urge the passage
of this or some Similar bill so that we
may rest assured the present congress
will not adjourn. until the Quapaw
lands are open to white settlement.