The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-11-24
OKLAHOMA.
Report of Gov. Renfrow to the Secretary
of the Interior w onderful Growth OF
the New Territory.

Report of Gov. Renfrow to the Secretary
of the Interior w WonderfuI Growth of
the New Territory.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19.-In an elabo-
rate report submitted to the secretary
of the interior Gov. William c. Rem
frow takes a decided stand in favor OF
allotment of the Indian lands and ulti-
mate statehood under those conditions.
His report makes a fine showing for
the new territory. Incomprehensible
it almost seems when one stops to con-
slider the age of the territory and the
difficulties which have attended its set
tlement. Gov. Renfrow takes for his
text these facts. An approximate pop
ulation of more than $50, 900. over S13,-
900, 600 of taxable property, six national
and twenty-four private banks. twenty
bushels of wheat to the acre, and
weaves a story which shows what
pluck and perseverance will accom-
plish in four short years. In his report
he stated that the growth of the terri
tory in the four years following the
opening of the first lands has been in
MANY respects wonderful Where once
the deer bounded over the plains, now
are found farm houses and wheat fields,
not differing materially from those of
the older states. Fine cities with
electric lights, waterworks and all
modern conveniences have been built
up. He who deplores that the red man
has been driven back will find in these
happy homes much to console him and
EcI. 1., - hA Sr1.-rix-al nF the
fittest.
He estimates the total population of
tire territory at 151. 304. and that of the
Cherokee strip at 100000 The immi-
grafton of colored people from the
south has practically stopped and there
are few of them left in the territory.
The aggregate assessed valuation of
taxable property is sl3,951, 056, an in
crease of ST,072, 12S over that of 1891.
The capital stock of the national banks
of the territory is reported as sS76, 900,
the deposits 81 ,429, 600 and the loans
and discounts amount to s1.042.0O0.
Oklahoma has no bonded indebted
ness. Several of the counties have
gone into debt to very considerable
extent, but with the increase of tax
able property, all will be well. The
second legislative assembly changed
from the township to the district sys-
TEN, and in most instances it has
proved satisfactory.
The report does not treat very fully
of public schools, because the returns
from the school districts are meager.
BY act of the territorial legislature
territorial universitv was located at
Norman and a territorial normal
school at Edmond and the agricultural
and mechanical college at saltwater.
The presidents proclamation opening
the Cherokee outlet reserves the thir-
teenth section for the benefit of these
colleges. This will result in large in
come to them.
Situated as it is. midway between
the north and the south, with n climate
unsurpassed, Oklahoma is admirably
adapted to growing almost every kind
of plant. In agriculture the territory
has a never-failing source of support
and income. Wheat this year made an
average yield of twenty bushels to the
acre for the entire territory. In some
localities the yield averaged sixty-two.
There has not been much done in the
line of stock raising this year. Most
of the new arrivals are too poor to
bring in much stock with them. As
vet almost nothing has been done to-
ward opening up mines. Stone quar-
ries are numerous and produce excel
lent building stone. Manufacturing is
-. - .,I.
promising youth, and offers great in
ducement to capital Every city has
its mills, and some as fine Touring mills
can be found in Oklahoma as anywhere
else.
Society. which at first was disorgan-
lied, is now in better condition, and
the moral element is fast coming to
the front. while the rough element is
seeking its level Nearly all the fra
ternal societies are represented by
strong membership. and the churches
are in healthy way. There are few
caste lines, and in the main the people
are socialjle and friendly. Ruifianism
is on the wane and will soon he Il thing
of the past
The best solution of the Indian
problem. thinks Gov. Renfrow, lies in
the allotment of their lands in several
ty and bringing the Indians in direct
contact with civilization. The por-
tions of the Indian territory not yet
open to settlement are very wild. and
the Indian sees only the worst side of
civilized life.
Gov. RenfrOw alludes to the Cherokee
outlet as new empire. Several fine
towns have grown up on it and promi-
nent buildings are in course of erection.
He is in receipt of heavy mail asking
about the school land in the strip. AS
yet no public buildings have been
erected in the territory for the officers.
Very few of the counties have public
buildings. The Oklahoma exhibit at
Chicago is spoken of in the report as
creditable He closes his report by
stating that the territory has wonder
full future.
HOyt's Partner Dead.
TUCsoN, Ariz., Nov. 19--Charles w.
Thomas. partner of Charles Hoyt. the
playwright, died yesterday morning of