The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-03-24
JUST ONE DRAW FOR HIM
That Is All One KiOyva HOmeseeker
Requests.

Alva, o. T., March 23.-To the Editor Of
the Eagle: While reading the Eagle Of
the 18th inst. CHANGED to notice what is
being said regarding the opening of the
KiOwa, Comanche. Apache and Wichita
reservations I also saw by the publ
cation that William Grimes of King
fisher, o. r., says give the people the
old-fashioned way and let them run. I
believe Mr. Crimes to be a gentleman
and is sincere in what he thinks to be
the best interest OF the people but to let
them run for their claims isn't first
class idea. Mr. Crimes is also in oppo-
sition TO the so termed lottery plan, by
saying that lottery would give great
opportunity to fraud, as lots Of people
would draw simply to get a calm to sell.
That is ali very well to talk about. but
in my opinion that win not prevent
fraud. or at least it never has done SO.
mean the old-fashioned way, or even
lottery, there viii be fraud to an extent
at any rate, lottery, as it is called. could
be handled by drawing 1t much less risk
by numbering each quarter in the sec
ton throughout Che township and have
one card to correspond with each claim,
and let the first come be first served, and
consider that each $l4 represents q. lawful
homestead entry, then if the land was
not what he wanted let him be obliged
to take possession or relinQuish back
That would be the most fair way con-
ceivable. Look for instance. at the peo-
pie that have not been entitled to land
under the homestead law in Woods and
Woodward counties They have been put
to fight and are loosers in not only
claims, but vast amounts Of money and
labor. Also look at the contest suits
pending in the courts Of these two coun-
ties Next I would like to invite the at
tention of my superiors to the fact that
the attorneys are fast becoming rich
men and VIII be able TO retire at an early
age long before the contest matter
comes to final settlement, and besides
many is the deserving man or woman
that is out of booth claim and money by
fraud. If any one is in doubt of this
statement 7 invite your inspection Of the
calendar and see that this is also only
too true. I say give us the draw and
place the cards at the land office and let
each individual appear at the office and
plank down his Sl4 and have no mail
business about it, then the contest and
fraud scheme cases viii be a thing Of the
past Next comes the old soldiers to be /
looked out for May God bless them.
This country owes them debt that it
can never pay. Give them the first day
regardless of the public al large. BY SO
doing the name fraud and men that are
able TO own fast horses viii not be
known. Tt is my belief that the people !
that win be the foremost already are In
possession of the fact of about where (
they win stick their stake. Again I say
10y having the various claims numbered /
in each township VIII be an easy matter /
to handle The opening affair There is /
stiu volumes to be said pertaining 10 the I
opening but as have to admit that this I
is rather ticl1lish to us westerners, I VIII I
say there is just one card and / VIII be /
happy with just one draw.
o. T. HILL.