The National tribune., 1900-07-12
CHANCE FOR HOMESTEADS.
Kiowa- comanche- Apache Reservation to be
Opened to Settlers.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: The
Kiowa-C a-Comanche-Apache reservation, with
100000 acres of rich farming land. Will
| be opened for settlement under the home
stead laws of the United States between
now and June :. 1901. In April, 1900,
the writer of this published an article in
| THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE. giving 4 general
and somewhat lengthy description
of the above reservation. In spite
of the fact that Congress had at that
| time not yet ratified the treaty. and. also,
that the article was signed with initials
only. such Il food of inquiries poured in
through the mails from cid comrades from
| Maine to California as TO make II en-
tirely impossible to answer them.
This is the last. and, everything con
| Sidered. the best chance for Il home III
the public domain, and who is better en-
titled TO it than the veteran who gave the
best years of his manhood to the prescrva-
ton of his country!
While ii is impossible for me to answer
thousands; of letters of inquiry separately,
l take pleasure in furnishing the following
items of information to the. many readers
of THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
The reservation is bounded on the east
by the gSth meridian, which forms the
line of the Indian Territory. on the south
by Texas, on the west by Greer Co.,
Okla, and on the north by Oklahoma
proper Broadly speaking. it is about 100
cago 4 Rock Island Railroad runs within
a mile OF two of the eastern line all the
way.
The center of the reservation is the
Fort Sill Military Reservation of about
50,0G0 acres, which is not included in the
opening.
Part of the Wichita Mountains, sup,
posed TO he rich in precious metals. coal,
etc, will be opened and give Il field to the
miner and proSpectOr. The climate IS
mild. something like northern Texas. free
from malaria: rainfall about the same as
in Oklahoma: the high winds prevailing
III the early Spring are Il drawback. \
steady breeze from the south tempers the
heat in the Summer.
The country is well watercd the
streams heading in the Wichita Noun
tanS carry beautiful clear water over Il
rebbiy bottom. The majority of the
streams however. are sluggish and muddy
Water is easily found anywhere by dig
ging wells.
The soil is of the greatest varcty-rich
alluyial river bottoms of Il black sand,
loan. broad valleys and immense levG.
prairies. partly black sandy loan, partly
of reddish sandy loam
The country is well adapted for wheat.
Oats of fire quality, cotton. sorghum.
cane, tame grasses can be raised. Re
qnlring only three months feeding in the.
Winter, 1t is fine country for stock rails
ing.
At present the prairies are covered
with thick coat of wild grass Timber
in the valleys and creek bottoms is plen-
tiful. There is very little hardpan or
waste land in the reservation. 4 home
seeker could not help making a good
choice with his eyes shut.
About 100000 acres win be thrown
open u settlement under the homestead
act. Settlers. as the law stands now. will
hD n nay 70 ha
acre upon proving up. Soldiers have the
usual privileges. The free homes law
does not apply to this reservation, but
with the precedent Of Oklahoma before
rs il is not likely this will be cxactcd. and
If 1t is. it is no hardship anyhow. as a
small part of each 1G0 acres is worth the
S240.
Instructions in rules governing the open
ing will he issued in January. 1901, but it
is safe TO predict it will not be opened
with run, like the Oklahoma Strip.
There are a number of prosperous little
towns on. the Rock Island Railroad along
the eastern line, and settlers will find no
difficulty in procuring supplies at reasona-
bic rates. Each town has one or more lnm-
ber-yards. The following are the most
prominent places: ChickGsha, Rush
Springs. NARROW, Duncan. Comanchc,
Ryan. Comanche, while not the largest.
is next to the best agricultural land open
Tor settlement. Winters are mild here.
Stock requires no shelter. and farm work
can be carried on with very little Interrupt
ton.
While no doubt new towns will spring
MP over night in the newly-opened coun-
try, the towns along the line will exhibit
a marvellous growth and prosperity. and
parties looking for investment or business
openings can't fail to be successful.
1t must be borne in mind that for most
q
are entirely different from those obtaining
in older communities, and it would be best
and safest to come and see for them
selyes.-C. w. b., Comanche, Ind. Ter.