The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1899-05-05
Ute Lands Opened.

Durango col, May 4-Ihe opening OK
that portion Of the Ute reservation lo-
Gated In Colorado occurred ai noon to-
day. according 20 the proclamation of
President Mckinney Hundreds of per-
sons were gathered az the reservation line
waiting for th signal Practically all of
them had selected their location before
hand ana there was little confusion and
so far as known no serious trouble.
The opening II the Southern Ute Indian
reservation, which has been awaited for
with impauonce for many months. has
at last been accomplished. This vast area
OF arabic lands, ~ by IS miles in size. lo-
Gated on either side of the Denver ana
RIO Grande railroad. south ana cast on
Durango cannot fan 20 attract a large
and desirable class Of settlers The Ute
Indians r,n entitled under the law of
1896. TO S7i anotments out of the entire
! tract. An the remainder Of che area,
about 3G0 O00 acres is subject to entry
under the desert homestead. timber and
towusite laws, ana the laws governing
the disposal Of coal mineral. stone aud
timber lands. and many of the Indian a..
lotments Will leased by intelligent white
men az reasonable rates The lands om-
brace both valley ana mesa or upland.
but the supply OF water BE- many time
greater than win be called Tor Tho soiie
are the seml-adobe, sandy loan and rcd
the former being peculiarly adapted for
the growth OF grain and grasses while
the soils last named are uncquallod for
the growth OF vegetable alfalfa ana fruit
trees Owing to the percentage OF gyp-
sum Ga the bottom lands, the yield of cl0-
yer is as high ns three ana ouc-haff tons
TO the acre.
Aside from the agricultural future of
this great area Of virgin soil, the stock
industry gives promise OF almost uni'm-
tied growth. The plateaus AFFORD range
for tens OF thousands of head OF tat-le.
horses and sheep. while trihg.lry mining
camps supply au abundant market noted
for good prices
Under federal enactment Ute 1n Ta1s
who SO elect may accept allotmcnia %
severalty. The lands allotted 10 the S0uh-
ern U:es aggregate about GO,OO0 acres, DE-
vided equally between agricultural and
grazing lands, and allotments are geHer
ally IN compact form The indian may
| lease his allotment for q period Of u,rae
years. for agricultural. and ten years COS
]
ages OF the leasing system are:
| Flrst-The lands are exempt from t1N.
alton and free from cost Of water c1arsa f
as the Indians own the canals and ditc9ct
| Second The rental is in most instrCe'
"a small amount in cash ana tla'r ol
the crops-one-fourth or 0ne-thi-i.
! Tnrd-ludians can boz hired tu work a'
small wages and spend their money r.
/ home, thus Keeping the money Boo croL
latlon in the communlty
/ Fourth-The utes are pald 'ilJ 800 lnuu
ally by the government. The treaty rf1.
yides that this payment h1li c1nilnu.
| forever" This money goes in'o c'rcI
latlon Ia the immediate ren5n where u
is distributed from the boun sm hue
OF Uncle Sam.
| The act OF congress or February 80
| 1896, which liked the lime for ile prssr
dents proclamation six months from -hR
date, but which has been delayed %
now, cites how the lands shan be takei
up by the whites ana is ms follows:
And shall be subject 20 cntry undo
the desert homestead and ownsite laws
and the laws governing the disposal .
coal. mineral. stone ana timber lands bu
no homestead settler shall receive titl
90 any portion of such lands ai less ta1
one dollar and twenty per acr.
and shall DO required 10 make "a cos
payment Of nifty cents per acre "a. h
time Ming Is made upon any 3f ml
lands"
The advantages of cash payment ,
} nifty cents per acre ar many. 10 shuts OF
J the professional boomer" ana leads a
rect 20 hrst-class ciuzensp.p-t that O
men Of thrift. energy ana industry
, The Location OF the lands in Que5.io
ends the public domain entrys ia Color.
: DO. so far as valuable farming lands 81
tends forever as this particular an,
embraces an that has been. by virtue
being an Indian reserve Withheld lro
< entry. II Is the last chance for chea
fertile ana envlable homes
..I-