Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-07-29
First Two Lucky Draws Go to
James R. Wood and Matte
Beals.
Can Select Land Next to Town
Site Worth $4,000
Each.
One Chance in Thirteen.-l67. 900
Watched the Lottery With
Eager Faces.

Ell Reno, o. r., July 29.-One of the
greatest lotteries in history is that cor.
Quoted by the federal government In
disposing of 10000 quarter section
claims in the Kiowa- Comanche reserya-
tions begun here this morning. No pub
lie event in years in the southwest has
attracted 30 much attention as this one
the initiation of new method of dis
posing of government lands. One hun.
dred and sixty-seven thousand persons
who expect one chance In thirteen of
winning homestead watched the event
here in reality or at a distance, for ap-
piications come from every state in the
union. Twenty thousand people crowded
about the platform which was built for
drawing in the open air a few blocks
from the center of El Reno at the foot
of several small hills, which formed j
perfect amphitheater.
Ell Reno yesterday cared for fully 49,
900 people and trains that came in dur
ing the night and morning vastly
swelled the crowd. Hundreds of others
are still bound this way.
Sunday was spent in quiet, but as
night came on and the hour for actual
many of whom had waited patiently for
months for tomorrow's event, or had
come thousands of miles at the last mo.
ment to participate In 1t. became anx-
ground around the platform to be suie
of an advantageous position when the
first number should be called out.
The first break Of dawn found every
one on the street and the mob moving
with common impulse toward the all
important point.
All had been in readiness for hours
The government clerks had finished the
task of placing the envelopes of the ape
plicants in envelopes tied in bundles
ready to be placed in the wheels and the
wheels had been tested for the last time
yesterday afternoon. The approach 10
the stand of the commissioners guarding
the bundles of envelopes was signal
for great demonstration that was re
newed with fervor from time to time
during the progress of the arrange-
ments. When finally ten boys, five for
Ell Reno and five for the Lawton dis
trict, lined UP before the two wheels ard
awaited the word to draw out the first
envelopes from the receptacles the
throng failed to control itself
a mighty cheer arose, repeated again
and again. the multitude pushed closer
watched every movement of those about
the wheels. Necks were craned to hear
the name OF the first winner. A moment
later. when the deputy marshal called
loudly for order. the crowd was stlled
instantly. Col. Dyer, one of the three
commissioners. read the presidents
proclamation relating to the drawing
This finished the envelopes were placed
in the wheels and each turned repeated.
ly to insure generous mixing up and
then .in another moment the drawing
was on.
The fret envelope taken from the
wheel contained the name OF James r
Wood, OF Weatherford, Okla, who had
registered for homestead In the Law
ton district. Matte H. Beals, of Wichl-
ia, Kas., whose birthplace is in Nilsson.
ri, drew number two. also in the Law.
ton district The multitude went fran.
tic over the announcement, but became
quiet instantly and listened intently tc
hear names OF the other fortunates.
Without doubt Wood and Miss Beals
who thus have right to make the first
filings, will select two quarter sections
adjoining the Lawton townsIte district
and which are believed to be worth $40.
600 each. When Col Dyer, commission.
er. in thunderous tones announced the
woman's age as % and her height the
same as that of Mr.. Wood 10000 persons
shouted In chorus: They must get mar.
ried." Number one in Ell Reno district
is Stephen A. Holcomb. of Pauls Val.
ley, I. T., and number two Leonard
Lamb, OF Augusta. Okla.
EVERYTHING WAS READY.
Regulation Lottery Box Wheels Used