The Wichita daily eagle., 1900-06-24
ROOSEVELT ON SAME DAY

Guthrie. O. T. June 2s-Hitherto the
two most memorable dates in Oklahoma
history have been these:
April %. the day the original Oklahoma
was opened to settlement
September 16. the day the Cherokee
Strip was opened.
July 4, 1900 is a date that promises to
surpass both of these IN the memory OF
men.
On that day practically every 3ldividual
in the territory wifi 5e going some
where
The crush and uproar of the day viii be
unprecedented.
However neglectful Oklahoma may have
appeared in celebration Of the Fourth OF
July in the past. this year she viii dis
charge enough enthusiasm to have stock
ed the thirteen original colonies the first
year after the War of the Revolution.
Two events overshadow all others in the
territory Denny Flynn will make his
first appearance after the passage OF the
free homes measure, at Blackwell. At
Oklahoma City July 4. will be the cul-
mination of the brilliant Rough Riders
reunion. Other points will have cele-
brations
There will be no fire crackers or fire.
works of any kind left in stock in Okla
homa by 9 o'clock July 4.
The reason for the enthusiasm is three
fold In the case of the Strip and the
Cheyenne and Arapahoe country in par
ticular, is the passage Of free homes a
measure meaning a gain to the settlers
Of $15,OO0000. Scores of cities in the ter
ritory have advertised and held ratidca-
tions. but until yesterday the presence OF
Dennis Flynn TIE father OF the BILL has
not been secured.
However. Blackwell has secured him.
and the reception he will receive in that
city will be memorable.
Another cause for unusual enthusiasm
in Oklahoma this year is the Rough
Riders reunion at Oklahoma City. and
the presence there of a candidate for vice
president and a military hero. Governor
Roosevelt, together with most of his
valiant followers. This Rough Riders re-
union has been advertised extensively for
months. oklahoma City has collected a
large entertainment fund and the brilliant
affair will extend over four days. culmln-
ating on the Fourth. Roosevelt's pres
tilNt III OA4Agfilld lily ibtsStA4GA WIN
hundreds Of other features. will attract
an enormous crowd.
A third cause for an outburst Of patriot
ism in Oklahoma this year is the tre-
rnendous wheat crop. In the wheat sec
tions of Oklahoma. and that includes a
Dig part Of the territory. the country IS
virtually lined with gold. The farmers
have practically in hand twenty to
twenty-five million dollars. This has ex-
psnded their hearts, loosened their purse
strings and flied them with a desire TO
participate in a celebration where not
only the whole family. but the whole
neighborhood. can join In
Owing TO the big celebrations at Black
well and Oklahoma City on July T. coming
at the same time with the national Demo
cratic convention at Kansas City. travel
in Oklahoma on that day is likely 10 be
congested and the railroads Will have 70
make every effort II they desire to handle
the crowds at all. Hundreds of people In
Oklahoma are going to the national con-
venton. Hundreds more will 20 10 Black
well and a great crowd will lam into
Oklahoma City. It will be found neces-
sary to put on special trains both north
and south through tho territory for local
traffic, and as well as special trains 20
Kansas City. Southern Kansas VIII have
q hand in all the celebrations. and the
uproar and enthusiasm on that jsy viii
be as much a southern Kansas transac-
tion as OF oklahoma. Thousands II Kan
sans will 60 to Oklahoma City and th9us-
ands TO Blackwell Thousands OF south
ern Kansans viii push on to Kansas City
70 get their first sight OF a national con-
vention.
As stated above. the result will be that
q week from next Wednesday more people
will be moving On trains and wagons TO
southern Kansas and Oklahoma than has
ever moved here on a single day before
The trains viii be crammed 20 the steps:
the county roads vii be FUN of wagons:
farms. barring the men EFT - guard them
the farms. barring the men let - guard
them from thieves vii be deserted. towns
without local celebrations wiil be prscti-
oally depopllated. and the day viii be o.
that greatness that IN the minds # the
participants Il viii endure fo- lie time