Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-10-17
BACK FROM SOUTH.
George Silvers and B. w. Van der
veer Like Oklahoma.
MR.. SILyERS WILL RETURN SOON
Mr.. Van Der Veer Has Located Claim
in FL Reno District and Will Go
There to Live on it in Few
Months.

[ From Tuesdays Daily.l
George Silvers and B. w. Van der
Veer, of Ottumwa, have returned
to this city from Oklahoma, where
they have been on business con-
ed for settlement in that country. Both
men are well satisfied with the coun-
try; indeed, they are enthusiastic ov-
er the prospects, although they We're
in different parts of the territory, and
are both differently engaged. MrSil.+
vers is rather extensively connected
with enterprises in Oklahoma, especi-
ally at Lawton, while Mr. Van der
Veer has been in Ell Reno district To-
eating his claim which he drew in the
big lottery during the summer.
MIR. Silvers Interviewed.
Mr.. Silvers returned to Ottumwa
Sunday morning, and after weeks
stay here with his family he will re-
this morning by a Courier representa-
tive, and spoke in enthusiastic terms
regarding the new town, Lawton has
now population of between 5000 and
5000 people, and every train brings
new inhabitants. Every line, of, bust
ness is represented and enterprises of
considerable Importance are being
started successfully in and near the
city.
A Rock Quarry.
Mr.. Silvers, together with Samuel
| Harter and others, is, interested in a
rock quarry located about three miles
north of Lawton. The company has
100 acres of land and on this piece of
real estate has started two rock quar-
ries. Blue lime stone is being pro-
cured, and it is said to be of excellent
qaulity, better than the Kansas white
lime stone. Sandstone is also obtain
able, and granite is to be found in
the mountains.
Much Building to Be Done.
Three brick yards have been started
near Lawton, and as soon as the bricks
are ready there will be considerable
building done in the city. The con
tract will be let this week for the
building of brick structure to be oc
cupied by the First National bank,an
in short time the three other banks
expect to build brick business houses
There are two national banks and two
citizens banks in Lawton.
A Busy Town.
Lawton, Mr.. Silvers says, is a de
cidedly busy town. There are thir
teen hardware stores, one of which
has all the others beaten in race TO
patronage. There is big sale OF
plows and other farm implements, ow
ing to the fact that the winter last
but two months, February and March
and crops may be raised almost an.
time during the year. In short tim
sewerage and waterworks will be es
; tablished in the city. This will kee]
the poorer people working until tn
farmers have had time to get goo
crop, when there will be no DANCE
of lack of money. According to MI
Silvers, the people who have settle
in this new country are not, as a rule
like those who settled old Oklahom
and who suffered so many reverses TO
six or eight years before they had be
: come strong enough to go ahead. TIL
present day homeseekers areas rul
people who have enough money to It'd
them over an ordinary troublous G
. hard time.
Good Crops.
The land in the vicinity of Lawto
is, Mr.. Silvers says, fine grazing Lane
J, Alfalfa grows there in great quaint
i ties. The soil is black in the timbe
i land, but in the rolling, treeless coul
try, away from the streams, it is
$ red clay. 1t proves good for tree
! and Mr.. Silvers told the Courier T.
a porter of two orchards he saw co
: ering two quarter sections of land.
Railroads.
o The Rock Island is at present til
e only railroad running into Lawton, bl
n when spring begins it is probable Thu
the Frisco" and Choctaw" lines ma
t. come in, the former having been su
n veyed last week to within few mile
Iof Lawton.
s. Oil interests.
J. Mr.. Silvers is connected with IL
l. Ottumwa Oil Co., for which j. ANA
II gan, of this city. is agent at Lawto
4. where an Office has to be conducte