The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-22
ON TO FORT SILL.
The Choicest OF Indian Territory Reserya-
ton Soon to be Opened.

After the Cherokee strip. the Fort Sill
country People have quite generally got
the idea that the strip affords the last OF
the big openings Of Indian Territory res
ervations. This is a mistake, writes
Washington correspondent OF the st.
Louis Democrat. The Fort S!ll is yet TO
be divided. II is a far richer prize for
the homeseeker by all accounts than the
strip. In round number Of acres the
Cherokee strip looks more imposing. But
the western third contains wastes OF sand
hills. The western half of the strip Is INT
for little else than grazing. With the
Fort Sill country the case is different.
The proportion Of fine farming land is
much greater Prospectors who have
roamed over the Fort Sill country since
Comanches became quiet enough not 10
the troublesome say Ii is a region that
surpasses Oklahoma and the best Of the
strip. The Fort Sill country lies I'm the
southern part Of the Indain Territory. 1t
borders on Red river. Just across the
river are the Texas cities Of Wichita Falls,
Iowa Park, Vernon and Quanah. The
famous Panhandle wheat belt OF Texas is
along Fort Sill reservation. The latter pos
sesses the qualities OF soil and climate
which have made the former famous In
addition IT has more timber and water.
There are about 100000 acres OF this
Fort Sill country. ThOae qualified 10 speak
say that there is more first-class farming
land I'm this reservation than in the strip.
In one valley, the Cache, is rich land for
10000 farms. After the Comanches and
Apaches are provided with their allot
ments. 100000 white people can find homes
in this reservation. The Fort Sill country
has in abundance what is so often lack
H. IL. -
Of timber Of good quality and springs
and beautiful running streams. 1t has
mountains and mineral, a diversity Of
climate and resources which the north
ern part Of the Indain Territory does not
possess. Adjoining the reservation of
the COmanches and Apaches, with whom
the commissioners have already entered
, into an agreement for the purchase of
the surplus lands is about 100000 acres.
occupied by 1000 Wchitas and Caddoes.
This minor reservation is nearly ready
| for opening. In fact, there are those I'm
| Oklahoma who hold that no legal reasons
stand in the way Of settlers moving into
, the Wichita country. When the Wichita
and the Fort Sill reservations arc occu-
| pied there will be continuous white set
/ tlement from the Kansas line to the Red
! river. The great baTier between Kansas
/ and Texas WIFI be removed The same
/ pressure which forced the opening Of
Oklahoma and later the Cherokee strip
has begun TO operate against the Wichita
tract and Fort Sill country. The longing
| eyes the boomer are already upon these
two fairest regions OF the whole Indian
territory. ORGANIZATIONS OF intending set
tiers have been formed all along the north
line or Texas. Around Wichita Falls,
Iowa Park. Vernon and Quanah is a
country which raises millions Of bushels
OF wheat and is worth from $40 TO $50 an
acre. Just across the river from this
great southwestern granary Is a country
leased TO cattlemen for about cents an
acre. Before another spring the cry OF
"On TO Fort Snlp viii be heard from
all parts OF the border and It will be ir-
resistible.