Evening star., 1901-05-06
LANDS FORlSETTLERS
Millions Of Acres Soon to Be
Opened,
INDIAN RESERVATIONS N OKLAHOMA
Fertility and Climate Described as
Remarkable.
ELIGIBILITY OF APPLICANTS

Within the next few weeks presidential
proclamation will, it is understood be is
sued opening for settlement the reserva-
ton at present occupied by the Kiowa,
Comanche and Apache tribes of Indians,
and which is situated in the extreme south
western part of Oklahoma territory, being
bounded on the south by Texas, on the
west by Greer county, on the north by
Washita county and the Wichita reserva-
tion and on the east by the Chickasaw ma
tion. The Red river forms the boundary
line on the south side, the north fork of
the Red river on the west and the Washita
river for about half the distance on the
north.
Its area Is 4,63S square miles, and it con-
talns 2,96S,S93 acres. The act of Congress
under which this country is thrown open
1or settlement provides, among other
things. that the following allotments shall
first be made: 100 acres each for about
5000 Indians; $4,000 acres Of grazing
landS to be held in common by members
OF the tribes; about 100000 acres for
scnools, colleges and public buildings, and
oo'ooo acres Tor the Fort Sill military reser-
Vatlon, leaving approximately .62S, ,S!3 for
homesteads. On this basis there will be
about lo,GD homeSteadS Of 16O acres each
open to settlement
Fertility of the Land.
FOR many years these lands have been
used for grazing purposes only, hundreds
OF thousands Of cattle having been pas
tured there. The opening of this reserva-
ton to settlement has been delayed for
many years by various interests but civili-
zatlon has at last triumphed, and in few
years II is pelleVed agricultural prosperity
will be as much a part in southwest Okla
homa as In the more favored districts from
Arkansas City to Purcell
AS the lands have not been cultivated eX-
cept Immediately surrounding the agency
and in an Indifferent manner. bv a few of
the more Industrious members of the yari-
Gus tribes, statements of prospects must
De based on results of such unprofessional
lapof ana the opinions of persons whose
general agricultural experience makes
them competent judges
1t is asserted by persons who know that
Tor rainfall and freedom from drouth this
Sectlon OF country soon to be opened will
compare faVOrably with similar areas in
Iowa or northern Missouri. Before Okla
holna was opened many persons believed
the lands, except in the valleys, were
sterile and lacked sufficient moisture to
produce good crops but the whole world
now knows how unfounded was this belief
Observation and experience have taught
that wherever the table lands have been
rains they are susceptible to the highest
state of cultivation as the soil takes up
the moisture to depth of several feet
Its Products.
At a recent territorial exhibit Of the
products of Oklahoma, held in Oklahoma
City, there were shown cereals, fruits, cot
ton, vegetables and melons in such abund-
ance and Of such excellence as to aston
ish all visitors. The growth of Oklahoma
has been marvellous At the end of the
first ten years existence it stands without
Nn hnr -t,tn
territory has had such a rapid and sub
stantial increase in wealth and population.
Here man can raise more winter wheat
to the acre and for less money than in
any other part Of the United States. He
can raise more corn, cotton, tobacco, kaffir
corn, sorghum and alfalfa than elsewhere;
he can succeed better with fruit trees, es-
peCially with peaches Grapes produce
abundantly. rpening early, thus catching
the highest market. Their flavor and eX-
quisite beauty make these fruits great
favorites on the market. One hundred
peach trees may be planted to the acre
of land and from three to five bushels of
choice fruit may be picked each season
after the third. The Kiowa Comanche and
Apache reservations embrace much land
equal to that of Oklahoma in fertility, and
when thoroughly cultivated just as
good results may be expected.
Oklahoma is described as being general
ly cooler in summer than Texas and
warmer in winter than Kansas; not sub
ject to so sudden and frequent changes as
either of these states. In the summer
months the gulf breeze coolS the atmos-
phere and makes the nights enjoyable. The
extremes of winters cold and summers
heat are seldom reached. The hot winds
of the southwest and the "northers' from
Manitoba generally lose their force long
before reaching this favored spot
Typographical Features.
Immediately north of the center, extend
ing northeasterly and wholly within the
reservation, are the Wichita mountains.
These mountains have never been surveyed
separately but the area Is estimated at
from 25O,OOO to 100000 acres. Among the
peaks Of note and distinction may be men
toned Mt Scott, Mt Sheridan, Saddle
mountain, Medicine bluff and Signal noun
tain, which form a chain called the
"Wichita mountains At the base of these
mountains are mineral springs whose
waters have been tested and declared to
contain medicinal properties of rare quail
ties.
In the extreme western portion of the
reservation the grasses are well ada apted to
cattle grazing, which is an exceedingly de-
sirable feature. Land sufficient for farm
ing and agricultural purposes can be found
in the valleys. The table lands among the
mountains afford ample grazing lands we'll
watered and grassed.
These lands will be opened to settlement
by proclamation of the President after the
various allotments and reservations pro-
Nlded lot Dy Ia" Slidll nave been made
ito avoid the contests and conflicting
claims which have heretofore resulted from
opening similar public lands" Congress
has declared that the Presidents procla-
nation shall also prescribe the manner in
which these lands shall be entered 1t has
been further decreed that no one may en-
ter, occupy or settle upon them until sixty
days after the opening.
Who May Apply.
Any citizen of the United States who is
the head of family or who has declared
his intention to become a citizen of the
United States who is twenty-one years of
age and who is not the owner Of 100 acres
Of land may make homestead entry in
the reservation Veterans of the civ;l .,a