Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1894-05-10
THE CHEROKEE STRIP.
Mr.. r. Moore Carpenter Gives His Impressions
OF That Country.


The poetic query, "But where to find
the happiest spot below, who can di-
rect; wheresall pretend to know?,"
can be solved by consulting the in
habitants of county Ak in the Chero-
kee Strip. Opinions are so diversified
as to the merits of this or that portion
of country that one man cannot with
safety take another's opinion in the
matter, especially if his informant has
located in that country. A Hawkeye
man, intending to remain in Iowa, and
with natural inclinatiops toward YER
acity, might be supposed to give few
unbiased views of this new and much
talked-of country.
An Iowa man yields to the man from
no other state in his outspoken expires.
sions of state pride; and his vanity is
continually fed by hearing on rail, on
street car, in stage coach and in hotels,
expressions like these from men when
speaking of the merits of any portion
of country: at is just as good as Iowa."
"Just like Iowa SOIL" "This soil is as
rich and our climate finer than Iowa."
"County X is as fine as any county in
Iowa." These four expressions we
noted verbatim, since arriving here.
On the morning of May End, after
twenty-three hours of continuous rid
ing from Omaha, we took our first
view of this, the prettiest landscape
that an unerring Creator has planned
in all the vast continent. 1t is county
X, the home of nearly all the Audubon
people down here, but III. p. Albert and
the Prather families. The tract open
ed for settlement is fifty-eight miles
from north to south and extends from
the Arkansas river to point even
with the west line of Kansas. There
are many incidents connected with the
famous race for homes on that warm
and dry September day, in which near
ly two hundred thousand people par
ticipated, that might please your read
ers, but we will not encroach on your
space to give them. A man of un-
questioned veracity told us to-day that
in crossing the strip after the race he
counted thirty horses lying dead that
had fallen in the charge upon the pub
lie domains. On the same trip he saw
ten horses saddled and bridled that had
escaped in some manner from their
riders. This portion of the "outlet" is
less rolling than the most level por-
tions of Viola township, and yet its
drainage is absolutely perfect. 1t has
numerous beautiful streams and they
are all heavily fringed with stately and
thrifty forest trees. Vision is many
times too short to take in the broad
empire of rich prairie that is dotted all
over with new homes of all shapes,
sizes and materials. En- route from
Kildare to Blackwell, by stage, we were
impressed with tho variety of improve
ments. AT one place, in beautiful
cover of stately forest trees, magnifi-
cent residence was ready for occupancy.
1t was the very picture of the residence
occupied by S. ID. Thayer at Audubon.
On the adjoining claim the gentleman
taking it had erected shanty with sod
walls and canvass cover. Great as was
the contrast, the government impair
TALLY and kindly guarantees to each of
these men his home on the same terms
and guards the rights of the inhabit-
ant of the shanty just as sacredly as it
does those of his more fortunate neigh
Dor.
The fine character of the improve
ments on many claims, and the magic
building of towns is proof positive of
the the natural wealth of soil possessed
by this region. We have in many
places examined the soil, to find it
deep, dark and rich and invariably un-
derlaid with clay sub-soil. The only
question of doubt is as to moisture.
1t is a perfectly watered region and has
abundant stone for building purposes,
which hang in lodges along the streams.
We think that the best portion Of the
strip is to the east, as it's tendency is
like that of Nebraska and Kansas. to
rise on the west toward the foot hills
of the mountains. Our opinion of tho
strip" is very much improved and the
confidence that is felt in its future
seems fully warranted
At Kildare we struck nest of Au-
dubon boys. Frank Rees is chief clerk
at Hugh Ovens big store and is max
ing many friends among this mixed
population from every state from
Maine to Florida. Frank has fine
half section of "Uncle Sans truck
patch" VA. Walkup is getting to
be a very glib-tongued, loud-talking
boomer" He will never be happier
than now, as he has choice quarter
section and comfortable home. Bob
and Joe secured excellent claims and
are working like turks. Three thous-
and dollars could be realized from the
yol 1o.. II r