The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1900-08-05
THt TtpQITORr TOWNSHIP vOQk
DEPARTMENT Is SATISFIED WITH
PROGRESS OF WORK.
small Towns DoIne Their Own Survey
ing, Exterior Limits Established Al
lowing Allotment to 90 Right Ahead
Sig Towns are In the Push.
snecial to the Ardmoreite.

Washington, Aug. 2.-Encouraging |
reports have been received at the
interior department, recently from
the various townsite boards in In
dian Territory, which indicate that
the work of surveying and plating
the towns is progressing more rapid |
ly than at any time since the crea-
ton of these commissions. The
difficulties encountered by the boards
some time back in the way of op-
position by the citizens and property
holders of the towns, which assumed
the shape of protests to the depart
ment, seems to have almost COM
pletely disappeared, and In their
place the people are evidencing a
desire to assist and cooperate with
the department officers to the fullest
extent of their ability. The result is
that the work of laying out the
towns, appraising and selling the
property is progressing with remark
able rapidity.
Returns received at the depart
ment during the past week indicate
that the citizens in the smaller
towns are evidencing a desire to
take advantage Of the opportunity
Afforded them by the provision in
serted in the Indian appropriation
bill confering authority upon them
to survey their own towns, at their
own expense, il they SO elected.
Some ten or twelve applications of
this character have been received at
the department recently and referred
to special agent, George Wright at
Muskogee, for investigation end
recommendation. 1t Is probable
that the majority of these applica-
tious will be approved by the de-
partment as they are signed by the
principal property owners of the
various towns. In most cases they
are sent by the mayor who was in.
structed either by the city council or
by mass meeting to forward the ap-
plication. The list of towns, how
ever, can not be obtained, owing to
the general policy of the department
to refrain from making public any
information relative to such matters
until final action has been taken.
In the Choctaw and Chickasaw ma
tions, the work can be commenced
Immediately upon the approval OF
the applications by the department,
as the townsite boards of these two
nations have already surveyed the
exterior limits of a number of towns
in anticipation of such a movement
on the part of the citizens. If the
people of the remaining towns shonld
pursue q similar course and decide
to make their Own surveys, and fur
ish the department with maps and
charts &C their own expense, II
would wonderfully expedite the
townsite work, and instead Of it re.
quiring several years to conclude the
plating of towns and the appraise
ment and sale of the property, il
could all be concluded within the
AOAG bWO yC6AC1 ACSOA0Ah6 ~ LAX
estimates of the officials here. Fol
this reason the department will en-
courage movements in this direction
and give the people cf the towns al
the assistance possible.
The plat of the town of Muskoge,
has been received at the department
and approved. Lithographic copies
are now being made for the benefi
of those people who may desire tC
obtain them. They will be disposed
of by the department in accordance
with the general statute, which pro
vides that they shall be sold at 10 pei
cent above the cost. Citizens de
string copies can obtain them b.
communicating with the Indian of
fee.
, The work at Wagner is progress
) ing very satisfactorily, and accord
iug to information received from Dr.
Linn, chairman of the townsit'
! board, the maps will be ready TO
submission to the department TO
| dppIOVHl WlIulu l00 AcAL lHO Wcche .
The completion of the surveys o
: these two towns bring up An inter
/ esting question. Some time back,
| was the intention of the department
, to postpone the sale of the propert
> in the Cherokee and Creek nation
? until after congress convenes mex
! winter, SO as TO afford another or
: portunity for the ratification of tres
] ties between the tribes and the. .federi
: government. 1t was found, how
: however, that such a course woul
\ result in & suspension of work
: these two towns, as the appraist
: .aents can not be completed With
: the next two months. Il has there
: fore been decided 70 proceed wit
g the sale OF the property as soon q