Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-09-18
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chsrukss Strip

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chsrukse strip
GrrHrrE. O. r., Sept f7.-Satursasy At
noon there was . race for farms in tho
Cherokee ccansry that has never before
been suralled. la accordanee with the
urprlasnasi0n IL President Cleveland the
largest BODY Of purely agricultural and
On the American continent that remains
aas<tllei OF nneuirivated was fArown
cper 10 settlement under the homestead
laxs and hefcrs nightfail 4oaoo persons
bal fst.nd homes upon tbs Land
TIE body of land Is known - the Cnero-
kee s.rft, or outlet. and Is s. miles wisfe
sad Is5 in length, containing about Se1-
s1 acres.
la 1854, the Cherokee Indians were given
this land as huntipy outlet to the west.
hat have not used IL for thai purpose for
number II years CT Late they have been
claiming absolute title to the land, bus
the courts overthrow this claim and de-
eiaesi they could only pass over the land
when going On hunting tours and could
NOT use ii Tor other purposes.
After several years of dickering the
Indians finally sold their right in the land
10 the government for &, ooo. 90, and con
eress brought joy To the hearts OF waiting
thousands last spring by passing bill
providing for the opening Of the land 10
settlement.
The soil is a rich. sandy loan. very fer
tile and productive. both on the iowlands
and upIands, the quality being much bet
ter throughout than in Oklahoma The
ground is covered with rich carpet of
grass. while the principal streams are lined
with timber.
The salt FORK Of the Arkansas, the Ca
madam and the Cimarron, all flowing In
,oatheasteriy direction. are the principal
streams aud have numerous tributaries
which make q network of running water
rnyelaping the wh0is country.
The eastern half Of tine strip is the best
adapted 10 agricultural purposes, and II
person picks \ claim west OF the S5"'H re
railway anywhere for a. miles, las NH
have good farm. wheth-r he gets on up-
land or lowlsiid
The men who secures farm on the Saa-
kaska or neighboriag streams vii. have rs
fine ard fertile u farm ~ human mind can
conceive and yet he will be but little bet
ter off than the thousands who secure
claims almost anywhe in the eastern half
of he strip
About 10 per ceut Of the strip is first class
farming and fruit land, and the balance is
excellent for stock raising.
Wheat. corn and oats can be raised IN
abundance. and all kinds of vegetables, in
cluding sugar beets, can be grown with
great profit. Sorghum is good paying
! crop. and even cotton and tobacco can be
produced to advantage. The entire strip
Is covered with a luxuriant growth of
blue stem CANA, buffalo aud other grasses,
yielding fiue pasture and excellent hay.
, Excellent water is found at depth Of 70
: feet. The timber supply is sufficient TO
supply all domestic wants for many years,
and frstclass building stone is TO be
found on all sides.
! Ia accordance with the bill passed by
congress the land has been divided into
seven COUNTIES designated as counties h,
[ l., NJ. n, o, p aud q, and near the center
/ Of each county 800 acres of land have been
reserved for a site for the county seat.
| The climate is as delightful as it is
! throughout Oklahoma and Indian terri
| tories, and the farmer can work out doors
| 10 months in the year. Every settler in the
I strip must live upon his land five years
| before he can obtain a title. and must pay
| from 81 TO s. 50 per acre for the land, with
| interest ut per cent.