The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-08-05
territory, one of whose luxuries il a
splendid upright piano.
TERRITORY .loWNSITE BOARDS
Rapid Progress Reported in Survey
ing The Towns.

Rapid Progress Reported in Survey
lng The Towns.
Washington, Aug. 4.-Encouraging re-
ports have been received at the interior
department recently from the various
townsite boards in Indian Territory,
which Indicate that the work Of survey
ing and plating the towns is progressing
more rapidly than at any time since the
creation of these commissions. The diff
cuIties encountered by the boards some
time back in the way Of opposition by
inthe citizens and property holders Of the
towns, which assumed the shape of pro-
tests to the department, seem TO have
almost completely disappeared, and In
their places the people are evidencing a
desire to assist and cooperate with the
department officers to the full extent of
their ability. The result is that the work
of laying out tina towns, appraising and
selling the property is progressing with
remarkable rapidity.
Returns received at the department
during the past week indicate that the
citizens in the smaller towns are evil
| dencing a desire TO take advantage of the
| opportunity afforded them by the provis-
ion inserted in the Indian appropriation
bill comforting authority upon them TO
survey their own towns, at their own
expense, If so elected. Some ten or
twelve applications Of this character
/ have been received at the department re-
Gently and referred to Special Agent
George Wright, at Muscogee, for investi-
cation and recommendation. 1t is proba-
BILE that the majority of these appliea-
tons will be approved by the department,
as they are signed by the principal prop
erty owners Of the various towns. In
most cases they are sent by the mayor,
who was instructed either by the city
! council or by mass meeting to forward
the application. The list of towns, how
ever, cannot be obtained, owing to the
general policy of the department to re-
frain from making public any informa-
ton relative to such matters until final
action has been taken.
In the Choctaw and Chickasaw nations
this work can be commenced immedi-
ately upon the approval of the applica-
tons by the department, as the townsite
boards of these two nations have already
surveyed the exterior limits of number
Of towns in anticipation Of such move
ment on the part of the citizens. II the
people of the remaining towns should
pursue a similar course and decide to
make their own surveys and furnish the
department with maps and charts at
their own expense, it would wonderfully
expedite the townsite work, and instead
of its requiring several years to conclude
the plating ftowns and the appraise-
ment and sale of the property, it could
all be concluded within the next two
years, according to the estimates Of the
officials here. For this reason the de-
partment will encourage movements in
this direction, and give the people Of the
towns all the assistance possible.
The plat Of the town of Muscogee,
Creek nation, has been received at the
department and approved. Lithographic
copies are now being made for the bene-
fit Of those people who may desire to
obtain them. They will be disposed Of
by the department in accordance with the
general statute, which provides that they
shall be sold at 10 per cent above the ac-
tual cost Citizens desiring copies can
obtain them by communicating with the
Indian Office.
The work at Wagner is progressing
y
formation received from DR. Linn, chair
man Of the townsite board, the maps will
be ready for approval within the next
two weeks.
The completion of the surveys of these
two towns brings up an interesting
question. Some time back 1t was the in
tention of the department to postpone
the sale of the property in the Cherokee
and Creek nations until after congress
convenes next winter, so as to afford an
other opportunity for the ratification OF
treaties between the two tribes and the
federal government. 1t was found. how
ever, that such course will result in
suspension of work in these two towns,
as the appraisements can be completed
within the next two months 1t has,
therefore been decided to proceed with
the sale Of the property as soon as the
appraisements are made. This means
that the property of Muscogee and Wag-
ner will be appraised and sold under the
provision of the Curtis act, which pro-
vides that unimproved property shall be
assessed and paid for at its face value,
while improved property will be apprais-
ed and paid for at one-half of the fixed
valuation. AS the terms of payment,
however, are extremely liberal. running
over a considerable length of time, il is
probable that, If treaty with the Creek
nation IS ratified next winter, some pro
vision for rebate to the property owners
In Muscogee and Wagner will be con-
tinued therein.
Encouraging reports have also been re-
ceived from the townsite commissions al
Ardmore and South McAIester. The work
of surveying the town OF Ardmore has
been almost finished, and, according 70
information furnished by the townsite
board, the maps will be forwarded to
Washington within a short time. At
South McAlester the work is progressing
satisfactorily. though not nearly so far
advanced as at Ardmore.
The towns Of Colbert and Sterrett have
already been surveyed, appraised and
sold. while Atoka has been plated, ap-
praised and partially sold.
ACCIDENT AT HUNNEWELl