Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1901-07-16

therefore to prevent the riots, MUIR
ders and wrongs committed in the
Oklahoma run II years ago. The
lottery scheme would have given
the last man to draw as good a
chance as the first, and stop any
chance Of dispute as to the legal
ownership.
Anticipating the success OF the
plan. the land officials and the
soldiers at TT. Sill have made no
effort to keep settlers out OF the
laud Of promise. The law-abidiug
majority Of the newcomers have
not. however. over run the unallot-
ed lands, for the reason that they
believed the whole matter was to be
a question of luck in the drawings.
The "sooners" took the other view.
They have surveyed every inch
of the ground and have already put
their stakes upon the choicest
tracts. They are ready with fast
horses to rush straight to their
goals, and knowing the ground
they will be able to distance the
legal owners of any land which
they may want. Oklahomans who
know the situation are beginning to
realize that the opening of the
Klowa Commanche lands will result
in much violence, fraud and dis
order unless the Government takes
prompt steps to quell the "sooners.
The "sooners" insist that they
are entrencbed behind the law, and
that the Federal authorities have
no right to apportion land by lot
terry. but must yield the land to
those who first effect actual settle.
ment. 1t is said that Zip WYATT,
"Slaugbter" Kid and score of bad
men who we're here with the Dalton
gang and other reckless hordes in
1889 are already ensconced among
the Wichita Mountains ready to
pounce down on the choicest land
the moment the Presidents procla-
nation is uttered, There are not
more than 100 soldiers available in
case of disorder, and the Indian
police cannot be relied upon should
there be an old-time run into the
reservation.
Fully 10000 people who have
been waiting for over a year for the
expected opening are heartsick and
desperate, and the business of car
ing for them is becoming a problem
with the authorities of Canadian
and of Ell Reno, the county
seat.
The drawings were to be held at
FIT. Sill and here, and each winner
OF tract must pay the land authori.
ties 81. Is for each of the 100 acres
in a quarter section. Many OF
those who expect free homes"
came with less than $40, others had |
sufficient money, but have spent it
all for the necessaries of life.
AS only l3,473 of the $4,000 per-
sons already on the ground can
draw the lucky numbers, there is
much discomfort and grumbling and
if the "sooners' attempt to seize
the'land in defiance of the authori-
ties, the indictments, most of whom
have suffered much hardship al
ready, viii refuse to leave peace
ably.
1T Is expecte ] that the Presi-
dent proclamation will fix the
opening on August 8, as the draw
ings are to be made before that date
and regulated patches of so many
day, and As the distribution is sim
ply a matter of chauce, those who
have been thus far on the ground
have simply wasted their time and
money, unless they may have made
a thorough survey Of the ground
and will know which tract to choose
when the time comes.
in spite of the Governments ef-
forts to explain the terms Of the al
lotment, many suppose that they
must take whatever parcel falls to
them 10 the drawing, But, while
the tracts are all numbered and
plated, the person who draws
card bearing, say, the number ~
may choose any tract he wishes for.
The lowest number gets first choice.
"The chooser may select Tract