The National tribune., 1893-07-27
IN THE CHEROKEE STRIP.
Condition of Affairs There Shortly Before
the Opening.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Thinking that
your patrons might want to know something
as 10 the true condition of affairs in the Chero-
kee Strip from one who is on the ground, l
have taken considerable pains to ascertain
facts.
The homeseekers are coming in along the
borders very FAST and am proud that among
them are found many old soldiers. You will
find stamped upon their countenance that
mighty determination that brought victory
and saved the flag during the great conflicts
from 81 to '65, and made it possible that this
very land that they are now confronting might
be changed from the savaees' hunting-ground
to civilization of happy homes. And among
the sons Of veterans, who are very numerous
in the camps along the line, you will find this
same mark of determination.
Camp Noble, which is the Headquarters of
the Home Mutual Association, is situated on
the Santa Fe Railroad, in Kansas, within 100
yards of the Strip line. At these Headquarters
are to be found the Vice-President, j. j. Camp
bell, and the Secretary. ]. E. Gillingwaters.
The association has established four camps
along the Kansas border, the first, the one
farthest west, being at the terminus of the
Frisco Railroad. The other three lie east OF
the Santa Fe Railroad and cover an area of
about seven miles from east to west, and are
within 100 yards of the Strip. These camps
are all in charge of our comrades, who have
been given the rank of Captain by the Associa-
tion, and as the comrades come in they are
distributed among the different Captains in
camp. The camps are all located where there
are good wells or springs of water The camps
are provided with tents and such other accom-
modations as are necessary for the comforts Of
a camp life, and will be greatly enjoyed by the
old soldiers. A great many OF them are bring
ing their families along, and it looks as though
they had come TO stay.
Captain J. w. Hamilton, who has been for
sonnet ime citizen of Arkansas City, is taking
great interest in the old soldiers colony, and
it is thought will do tho filing at the Land
Office the day of opening for the Association 8
members. He has hunted and fshed all over
the eastern end of the Strip, and says it Is
the best land he ever saw, and the best chance
for the old soldiers to procure homo that has
ever been offered. and that he intends to help
them with all his might to secure homes for
themselves and families, as he believes this
will be the last chance that they will have
He thinks THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE should
urge this fact upon the old soldiers, and that
they should be up and doing. Col. Stewart was
found in charge of Camp with his wife and
children, and when questioned said: on
soc, have como here prepared to stay. have
brought my stock. my furniture and farm
implements, everything ready to commence
improvements as soon as we are permitted to
claim our homesteads. l have no fear but
what We will all succeed for the reason that
we are banded together for the one purpose
only, and are determined that sooners' and
Spectators shall not prevent our success.
We expect to fully comply with the law, but
we expect at the same time to compel every
outsider to do the same who comes in contact
with our interest.
Your correspondent further ascertained that
this organization was preparing for town site,
and if one is not placed convenient to their
colony they are ready to form TOWNSHIP COM
pany themselves. Their maps and charts.
which are now just being completed, are very
instructive, giving the townships, section and
quarter sections, with each line and corner
distinctly described and explained.
After leaving these camps your correspondent
drove some 20 miles west, along the border of
the Strip, and found dotted here and there
camps of boomers, all of whom seemed to be
ready for the Anal charge.
1t is believed here that the work preparatory
to the opening of the Strip has been about COM
pleted, and that the Secretary of the Interior De-
partment will be ready for the President to issue
his proclamation within the next week or 10
days He ascertained from one of the Com
mission, who has the ailotting of 20 Indian
claims that they would be completed and sent
to Washington, d. c., by Saturday, the 18th
inst, all of the other allotments having been
previously completed.-J. E. g., Arkansas City,
Kan,