The Wichita daily eagle., 1901-05-31
LOOKS LIKE
A GARDEN
OF EDEN
Ex-Governor Crawford Writes
of indian Territory.
LOTTERY is BETTER PLAN
Homes for Honest Men; None
for Dishonest Sharks.
LOTTERY is BETTER PLAN

Wewakas I. T., May 39.-''IhiS indian
Territory" says Governor Samuel ].
Crawford. Of Kansas. '1s a lovely coun-
try. It is blessed with a mild climate.
rich soil, good water. fair timber and
lnexhaustible mines Of coal. lead, zinc
and flowing wells Of oil and gas. It pro
duces the cereals, cotton and grasses IN
abundance. In fact, al in all, naturally
it is the gem of these United States,
the Garden Of Eden, with its original in
habitants. It extends from Kansas to
Texas and from Arkansas and Oklahoma
and embraces about twenty-one million
acres. 1t has a population in round num-
hers Of 1900 Indians. 25.000 colored peo-
pie and 10000 whites.
Generally speaking, the Indians Jwn
and occupy the lands while the white
people live mostly in towns. The towns
are new and growing rapidly, and the
lands are now being allotted 70 the In
dians when the allotments shall have
been completed the Indians viii first
lease them TO the white people for ag-
ricultural. mining and grazing purposes,
and soon thereafter they VIII begin to
Een them. Then viii come the opportun-
ity Of the homeless, industrious people to
secure good homes at reasonable prices.
But people should not rush into the
territory expecting to pick homes up in
the road or of the bushes free gratis;
nor need they expect TO secure them
through trickery, deceit or fraud. be-
cause # they do they viii be disappoint-
pie who pushed their way into this beau
tiful country know a few things. They
know the difference between right and
wrang, between an honest Industrious
man and lazy dishonest shirk. The
latter class had better stay at home or so
to Oklahoma and draw. Oklahoma is a
good country-good for some things-and
should the lazy brigade reach there in
time they might possibly. with the aid
Of Dennis Flynn, succeed in drawing
a prize.
While on the subject Of drawing, I
wish to say, seriously, that it was certain
ly a happy thought on the part of the
secretary of the interior to dispose Of the
lands in Oklahoma about to be opened
by lottery rather than by the racing pro-
cess. That method is fair ana gives all
an equal chance. 1t VIII save the lives
of quite few people and many valuable
horses. any Of which is worth more than
an average quarter-section in that coun-
try.
The feet horse policy has heretofore
been twice indulged in. and both times
it was a fraud from start 70 finish
Why, even Dennis Flynn. on his thor
oughbred, acknowledged to be the fast
est horse in the race, did not reach the
claim he had previously selected until
another sooner had arrived with a yoke
of oxen, set his stakes, planted field
and Matched q brood Of chickens. And so
it VIII be again unless the drawing plan
IS adhered 10.
No doubt every tract to be opened has
already been selected ley expert riders or
old ox-cart snoozers who have changed
their hats, coats and aliases, and pre-
empted and homesteaded in every state
and territory west Of the Mississippi
river. besides twice playing the sooner
act in Oklahoma Then against such
odds. what show would an honest home
seeker. with rickety old wagon and
spawned team have?
II those famous old sooners, Dennis
on a thoroughbred. and Grimes with
relay of mustangs, fell short, what, may
/ ask. would become of the uninitiated
and the unwashed. No. Mr. Editor, the
drawing for the right to make the entry
IS right. and I hope you VIII ten the hon
orable secretary to stand firm. But
enouE! OF sooners. sand hills and the
cactus region Let us come back to God 9
own country where the wild flowers
bloom and the birds in the forest are
singing their sweetest songs. This is the
country that invites honest homescezers
and these are the people who beckon
their coming
The TACT that the Indians hold che title
is no detriment to those who may want
TO lease the lands. because while so held.
the lands are not taxable and hence. can
DE leased on better terms than otherwise.
This territory also offers superior ad-
vantages to Young professional and busi-
ness men and women. The country IS
in its infancy and those who are here
and other who may come VIII make the
state. Non-professionaI young ladies of
marrageable age might also find it To
their advantage TO at least visit the terri
tory. The young gentlemen. of whom
there are quite a number in every town
are ali too busy 10 so of i'm search of
life partners I have yet to meet the
first young man IN this territory. whom
could not conscicntiousiy recommend.
AS far as i have observed they are brirht.
active. energetic. youns men. many of
whom VIII sooner or later distinguish
themselves in this-this is to be lovely
state. Railroad facilities ia the territory
are exceptionally good. The Frisco ana
Kansas civ. Fort Scott & Memphis seem
O. be the favortes. They both enter The
territory near The northeastern corner
ana the Frisco runs 6iagouaIly across
the northern center Via Ninita 10 Okla
homa Clty and from Sapulaa southward
through the Creek. Seminole ana Choc-
taw countries 10 Sherman. Texas The
country uaversed by this road is un-
surpassed as an agricultural and grazing
country on tHe ERe 1T Chelsio are four
teen lowlnz oiI wells and AZ ether points
co5l aooUrcs ~ unliui trd quantities
on raE 57urney through this territory.
thus lar, have visited mans new towns
and I must ser without exra--ler thaf
t1ey oro surrounded wlta natural re-
salrces which sooner or later VIII make
rheu prosperous cities 1rawaSa. f-om
whence Z write IS I'D exception 10 the
raaNNs.aAaN.naNNeasnsassnAnNness.as
Relieves & cino-t s