The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-09-17
SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE.
Col Robert J.. Owen OF the Indian Territory
Talks About strip Towns.

Col Robert L. Owen. member of the
Democratic national committee for Indian
territory, was in the city a short time
yesterday morning. He is interested in
the towns being opened III the Cherokee
outlet. having located a number of his
clients, certain of the Cherokee allotees,
on the railroads where the depots are
already located. In conversation with
| an EAGLE reporter, he described the situs-
tion of affairs Mr.. Owen said:
THAT the location of these Indian allot-
ments was really Godsend to men of
business; that they would he able
for a small sum to get a choice lot
with Immediate and perfect title.
That the allotments ara chosen at the best
typographical points, where the competent
engineers Of the Santa Fe and Rock Island
railroads had already located the depo is
because of the excellence of location. That
the location and title being perfect, the
bankers. merchants, manufacturers aud
SPECTATOR would prefer to build on lot
on such solid basis rather than one on
government townsite. where only by
personal struggle, expensive contest, with
lawyers fees, witness fees, trustees fees,
etc, could one get title. and then after
delay of months with the possibility of
failure and loss Of $4o0 or $500 as we'll AZ
the heavier loss due 10 delay in business
establishment, at a time when the trade
was IN state OF rapid capitalization.
mat the man who failed to fix his bust
ness connections in the first SIX months
lost an opportunity of special value, not to
be regained. That the Indian allotments
offer immediate. perfect aud peaceful
title next the railroad depots while the
government townsite system offered title
full of delay, contest. expense and doubt"
What about the location of the gov
eminent townsites and land Offices? VIII
they not attract and hold the people"
This question can only be answered in
detail" said Mr.. Owen. 1.-The govern
ment officials, responsible for changing
these townsites from their first and judic-
ious location seemed To be entirely unac-
quainted with the topography and to have
consulted the local surface of the map
rather than the unleyel face OF the earth.
AT Enid 10 order to avoid certain Indians
located contiguous to the depot, where the
Government had first placed the county
seat and land office, ~ order was made TO
move the townsite three miles south. 1t
happened to land on huge ravine, where
it would cost the Rock Island road some
forty odd thousands of dollars to fill
in for siding and erecting a decent depot.
The Rock Island officers promptly
submitted the profiles of the road
and information Of topography show
ing the extreme undesirability of
this chance location. The officers |
in charge conceding the location |
obnoxious to the objections stated. were |
not willing to disturb the president and |!
ask supplemental proclamation. The |
idea was advanced that this failure to pre-
sent the matter to the president was due to
a consideration for bis anxieties in other |
and perhaps confession OF having |
made location of such vast Importance |
hastily may have helped to retard the mat
ter.
The change to Round Pond from Pond |
Creek is even worse. Round Pond is south
of the quick sandy Salt Fork that skirts
the extreme southern tier Of townships in
the county. -Four fifths of the people must
consent to 60 to the southern most edge of
this county and cross the most boggy
else there Will be a change to
The center of tie county. Round Pond
being on Salt Fork furnishes salt water of
inferior quality TO the settler for drinking
purposes at depth of 135 feet.
''In county *, the county seat is located
in the extreme northeast part of the
county and must be changed as the peo-
pie will surely vote in favor of their own
convenience,
In locating Perry, au order was issued
in like manner as at EnId to move the loca-
ton south three miles This accidentally
threw the county seat and land Office
about three-fourths of "a mile north of the
depot at Wharton, where the railroad has
very extensive improvements, sidIngs,
SIX buildings. large cool chute tank, etc.
This depot cannot be moved and people
must travel this distance from Wharton
where two Indian ailotments are located
n what must be the heart Of the future
atty"
Mr.. Owen is a resident Of Muskogee, L
L., and by reason Of the active part he has
aiken in the opening OF this new country,
Ills ideas are certainly of considerable
value, and, beyond doubt, many of those
low holding or attempting to secure lots
II some government townsite will profit
1y his experience aad knowledge and
make changeto some Indian town.
NICHITA CROWD.