The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-08
Elaborate Precautions Taken by the
Interior Department to Prevent
Grabbing by "Sooners."
DESCRIPTION OF THE LANDS
WHICH HAVE BEEN LONG COVETED
BY wOULD-BE SETTLERS.
An Injunction Suit to Be Filed by
Judge w. III. Springer i'm Be-
half of Lone Wolf.
srecial to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, July 7-President Nc
Kinleys proclamation opening the prom
fsed Indian lands IN Oklahoma to settle
ment on Aug. will be welcome news 10
thousands OF people now camped on the
borders of the Wichita. Kiowa, Comanche
and Apache reservations The order In re-
gard to drawing for priority of appica-
tions will not, however, be relished by the
"sooners' who long ago picked out their
homesteads- Under the regulations framed
by Secretary Hitchcock the late conner viii
have the same chance as the sooner" pro-
viding he is on hand Aug. s. The reserva-
tions contain 2.113.596 acres of desirable
land which have long been coveted by the
white people of the Southwest. The reser-
vations are beautiful and picturesque, and
the manner in which they have been so
carefully guarded by the Indian agents
and the Indians themselves has served to
increase the white mans desire to possess
them. The reservations have as many
varieties of land within their boundaries
as any much larger tract that can be
picked out in the United States. There Is
the best agricultural soil TO be found along
the bottom OF the Washita valley, produc-
ing magnificent crops of wheat and corn,
also yielding in abundance the other
products raised In any part of Oklahoma.
The plains stretching away TO the Texas
line in the south and west also offer ex-
ceptional opportunities. thorough inspec-
tion of the entire country to be opened
however. shows much land which is alone
suited for grazing and much more that
appears to De absolute waste. Many thou
sands of acres abound on the mountains
which will be valueless except for the min
ing purposes of such minerals as may be
found there.
A wELL-wATERED COUNTRY.
Careful examination shows that about
one-half of the land to be opened for settle
ment will be desirable for farming. the rest
being suited for pasture and the feeding of
stock. The land which is suited fer farm
Ing Is the very best, and within few years
from the opening il will be producing abun-
dant crops of the many products now so
successfully raised in Oklahoma. The res
ervations are well watered by the hundreds
OF streams that cross them in every direc-
tion and pour into the three large rivers
which surround the land. Most of these
streams have their heads in the mountains,
and are clear, pure, cool spring water.
flowing over beds of gravel. the home of
many varieties OF fish. The land is filled
with hundreds of fine springs. and good
water may be found almost any place at
depth Of from twenty TO forty feet. Be-
sides. the official record of the rainfall at
Fort Sill. in the heart of the country. shows
an average of thirty inches for the past
nine years. The climate is delightful.
While there are many rich valleys and
beautiful parks scattered over the reser-
agricultural land lie east of a line passing
north and south through the western limit
of Fort Sill military reservation In the
northwest quarter is some of the very
finest land TO be found in the valleys of the
streams and in the many parks of the
Wichita mountains. which occupy much of
this portion OF the tract. The northeastern
quarter contains much good farming land,
but IL Is broken by what the Indians cali
the keeche hills These resemble mounds
rising out of the Level land. The south
western quarter is mostly high and roll
ing. except In the valley Of the Red river.
The uplands will produce good crops of
wheat. but the larger part of this is best
adapted for pasture.
GOOD GRAZING LAND.
In the southeast is found the best farm
Ing land Il is mostly undulating prairie.
fertile and unbroken. The entire reserva-
tfon is now covered with what makes IL the
stock raiser's paradise-bufaIo, blue stem.
mesquite and sage grass. the best for graz
ing purposes.
Timber grows in abundance. all streams
being lined with large trees of the walnut.
persimmon, cottonwood. pecan, ash and
cedar varieties. Extensive forests of oak
and MESQUITE trees are found in the noun
tains- The country is well supplied with
railroads. the Choctaw, Oklahoma & Gulf
and the Rock Island passing through IN
while the Santa Fe is close enough TO sf-
ford an easy way TO reach it.
The treaty with the Indians and the law
ratifying the same provide that land shall
be deducted as follows for government pur-
poses: