The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-11-14
No SOLDIERS HONE
VIII be Built on the Council
Grove Reservation.
DEPAR 7 HAS REASONS.
For vetoing the Scheme and
Ordering the Sale.

Guthrie. o. T., Nov 1s-Dennis Ffynr
has received word from Washington tina
the sale OF Council Grove timber reserya
ton win not be postponed as requested
for the purpose of donating it for a sol
dierS' home. The letter Mr.. Flynn re-
ceived from the department Is as follows;
Sir: have at hand your letter of the
18th ultino wherein you have asked tbs
postponement of the sale OF the lands In
reservation, Oklahoma. so that you may
have an opportunity to introduce 3 bill
in congress donating the reservation to
the territory for soldiers home. and
that time be afforded for coEgressional
action In the premises. In answer. you
are advised that on the 10th ultimo. the
commissioner OF the general land ONCE
reported to the department on similar
request from c. A. Calhoun, Esq, Okla
homa City, and for reasons stated,
recommended that the sale be not post
poned. A contemplated sale of these
lands was countermanded by the depart
ment on November 4, 1887, so that a
reasonable time might be given for the
desired legislation. and a bill. such as
you describe, was introduced in the last
congress and failed 10 become a law. I
can see no reason for another postpone
ment and / concur in the report and
recommendation OF the commits ioner.
The request you have preferred Is there
fore denied. I enclose a copy OF the re-
port OF the commissioner for your In
formation. Very respectfully.
"E. H. HITCHCOCK. Secretary"
The letter of Land Commissioner Her
man to Secretary Hitchcock Is as fol-
lows:
"Sir: I am in receipt. by department
reference for report in duplicate. and
return OF paper with recommendation. OF
letter dated September rs, 1899, from c.
A. Calhoun, Oklahoma City. Oklahoma.
asking the postponement of the sale Of
lands in Council Grove abandoned milf
tary reservation, Oklahoma territory. so
that congress may donate it to the terri
tory for a soldiers home.
'In reply have the honor to report
that this reservation was established by
executive order of December rs. 1885. as
timber reservation for the use OF Fort
Reno Tt was transferred to this depart
ment January II, 1896, for disposal under
act of July 8, 1884 (2s Stat, 1857. When
transferred 1t contained an area of $3.50
acres. Although this area was In excess
OF 5000 acres, yet by reason of the date
of its REIMBURSEMENT, the lands In said
reservation were not subject TO settle
ment under the act of August %, 1891
(2S Stat. 4e1).
"Said lands were appraised in March.
1896, the apprisai approved by the depart
ment November q, 1886, and under said
appraisement a public Offering of the
lands took place on August il. 1895. at
which time 1000 acres were sold, leaving
ALSO acres unsold.
ION November q. 1889. the department
approved the recommendation OF this Of
fee that action looking to the re-offering
of the unsold lands be postponed until
an appropriation became available for
that purpose.
ION September is, 1897 this Office made
to the department an unfavorable report
on the application of Mr.. c. r. Young,
commander Oklahoma c. A. r., that the
reservation be withheld from sale. re-
served and set aside for the use Of ex-
union soldiers of Oklahoma and Indian
Territories
ION September II, 1897. this ONCE for
warded 70 the department a letter from
Mr.. J. h Everest of Oklahoma. who
wrote the interest OF a number OF
prospective bidders asking that the lands
be re-oYered and the Recommendation
was then made that the lands be re-
offered for sale under the provisions CT
o - aofH s4f Tfrtr
was approved by the department Sep,em-
Der 2s. 1897. this Office being dtre-ted to
prepare the necessary instructions to 10
cal officers, as wei las orders Tor advtr-
tisements and to submit the same for
approval.
ION October ls, 1887, this office made re-
port to the department on resolution
adopted by Grant Post. No. /. Q. A r.,
department Of Oklahoma. asking that the
remainder of the lands in said reservation
be withdrawn from sale so that congress
might pass law setting apart said lands
for a soldiers home. No objections to
to grant a request were urged.
ION November (. 1897. the department
issued an order directing that setton
looking to the disposal Of ts@se -snts
be deferred 50 that reasonable iIue
might be given for securing the dessrei
legislation.
There was introduced in last eongress
II. r. Bill No. soa3, 10 grant ali Of fhs
unsold lands IN Council Grove abanaoned
military reservation 20 the terrsso-y Of
Oklahoma. under certain condia ms. for
the establishment OF horne for the sop
port OF disabled soldiers AMI sai.5.s OF
the United States.
On March 2. 1855. this ofsce made a
report on said bill stating that Il believed
in caring for the disabled soldiers and
sailors OF the United States and was IN