The National tribune., 1893-05-11

there is room there for $4,000 farms of l6C
acres each. The land is grand plateau, RISING
from the vicinity Of Kansas CITY steadily a
the rate Of about foot mile until it reache!
q hight of over 1000 feet in the Cherokee Out
let The climate there is something superb
1t is one of the balmiest regions in the country
Across the plateau there is at almost all times
a steady industrial wind, and the nights are
always cool; although, indeed, the days do mol
ever get very warm"
What are the properties of the laGd?"
"In the eastern third of the Strip the sol
Is of a remarkable quality Il is fine black
loan aud very deep. and blue grass fourishes
there. The dairy possibilities are excellent
Heavy crops of wheat and hops can be raised
there, and there are no drouths or cyclones OF
dTenching rains or cold snaps to destroy them.
OF course, corn may be grown but ii will never
be great corn growing region. for about every
four or five years hot wind sweeps across the
country about the time that corn is in tassel
and dries mp the product. When corn docs
mature. however. the yield is enormous"
Is there much timber growth. contradict"
Hardly any. What little there is is mostly
oak. Why, don't you know, there is not
enough timber to build fence-posts; wire
fences have to be used altogether"
What are the prices of land out there?"
Comrade Ciillingwaters took a map from his
the fees provided by law each settler on the
Cherokee Outlook, before he can receive a pat
ent for his homestead, must pay for his land
according TO the quality of it. as it is graded
by the Government. For all land east of 9740
west longitude the Government charges 81 so
an acre: for that between $40 and $3.50 the
charge is $3.50, and for land west OF 9S1o there
must be paid 81. Besides this the settler has
70 pay per cent. interest on the price of the
land from the date of entry TO the date of final
payment"
What are these lands at 81 an acre? Do
they amount TO much?"
No. The ground is hard clay subsoil.
covered with lars and buffalo grass 1t is
hiily and unprodHctive. It would not com
pare in any way with the far eastern or even
the middle portion"
" You would not advise anyone to go there,
thenG"
. would not. don't believe it would paw
him. But 800 put in land in the eastern
section would be an excellent investment. !
predict that that country will eventually pour
out wealth of grain and stock that will not
be c9aaled by any other region OF its size"
What Is the condition of affairs on the
Cherokee Strip now? How about the
'sooners 2"
Well, before ] came back here from the
Cherokee Outlet ] sent in a report to the Sec
Teiary OF the Interior on that very subject
Cherokee Strip is clear of boomers, aud the
United States cavalry are stationed at different
points along the northern boundary aud from
east TO west. and are scouting and patroing
the creeks rivers, aud woodlands from north
10 south IN the Strip aud every thing is quiet
there are yet camped great number of
families, as well as other persons who board
and live along the borders and in the towns Of
the State of Kansas and Oklahoma Territory :
the number is variously estimated at from 5 600
70 10000 think a conservative estimate
would be about 5000. Those encamped live
chiefly IN tents. yet some have RECONSTRUCTED
houses. They have come prepared for farm
ing. with stock, poultry, and all kinds of i'm
pements necessary for agricultural purposes
These people have been gathering from the
time the Commission purchased the Strip from
tbe Cherokee Indians, expecting it to be
opened Tor settlement early enough to put in
crops this year. OF course they will be at a
great loss by not getting in soon enough for the
earlier crops, such as corn, oats, and garden
truck, and they urge their necessity and de-
Elres Tor the opening 10 be made in time to
prepare the land for Fall and Winter crops. and
10 put up houses and other necessary buildings
TO P-otect themselves and stock from the in
clement weather Of the Fail and Winter.
In my report | urged that an opening as
early rs the convenience of the Government
could make would best serve all parties inter
s1f~+ AohiitE ~ III stasDD LDat more IMAM one
haii Of this land lying in the eastern part of
the strip Is specially adapted both in climate
and soil to the growing Of Winter wheat and
the entire strip Is covered with grass which
~hen cut and cured IN proper season, makes a
splendid food for all kinds of stock The
proper time for making hay in that section is
from the middle OF July 10 the latter part of
August, ana 10 raise wheat on this land for the
first time the sod should be turned over not
later than tie middle of August, SO as to give
1t ume 10 rot. that u may be prepared for seed.
ing which is done from the middle of Septeua-
Der 10 the latter part of October
There are many persons who claim and
urge that late opening would be best and for
reason they say that many persons who want
farms On this land have already planted crops
al their former homes, and would be unable to
get To an early opening. After careful iuvesti-
cation Of that claim. did not find any merit
or justice III IT, for il comes solely from persons
already settled and doing business in Kansas
and oklahoma Territory and believe ii 10 he
1TotA se'h5h motive from bankers, real estate
snd other business men, for the purDose of
drawing as many emigrants 20 the towns along
the border OF the Strip as possible for the sole
purpose OF trade and traffic The late openino
is urged also by the soonefs but these men
class as a set of scOundrels and their views
and wishes should not be given any attention
whatever"
When do you expect TO return 70 the
StTip?n
shall go in a short while. am complet-
ing my arrangements for the party of COM
rades and their families which | have gotten
up TO 20 out with or join me there We shall
al stay together. make rush on opening day,
aud get as good section of land as is in the
strip. In the land that we have marked ont.
Tor we have maps and know 10 a dot just where
We are going, there will be room enough