Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1901-07-31
UNCLE SANS LAND LOTTERY
ONE IN EVERY THIRTEEN WINS
kiOwa-COmanche Reservations to BE
Cut Up Into Prizes and Given to
the Lucky Owners of the Names
Which Are Drawn From Wheels,

Ell Reno, o. T., July 30.-One of the
greatest lotteries in history--that con-
Quoted by the federal government in dis
posing OF 1900 quarter section claims in
the Kiowa Comache reservations-was
begun here Monday morning. No public
event in years in the southwest has at
tracted so much attention as this one
the initiation of a new method of dispos-
ing OF government lands. One hundred
and siXty-seven thousand persons, each
with l chance in IL of winning home
stead, watched the event here in reality
or at distance, for the applicants come
from every state in the Union.
The drawing took place on a platform
built for the purpose in the open air a
few blocks from the center of Ell Reno.
Situated at the foot of several small hills,
which formed perfect amphitheater, the
platform was the cynosure of thousands of
eyes. People occupied every inch almost
of the space around about and every
movement of the government officials on
the small space below was watched with
the most intense interest.
Sunday was spent quietly. But as night
came on and the hour for the actual
drawing approached, men and women,
many of whom had waited patiently for
months for the morrow's event, or had
come thousands of miles at the last mo-
ment to participate in it, became anxious.
Worn out with days OF hardships and
nights Of poor accommodations, they
were keyed to high tension, but withal,
thousands were cheerful and hopeful.
Every one seemed confident that his
would prove the lucky number.
Many lay down and slept on the ground
around the platform, to be sure of an
advantageous position when the first
number should be called, Or to remain
perhaps until evening, when the last of
the 1900 envelopes to be drawn today
should have been picked from the wheels
of fortune The first break of dawn
found every one on the alert and NOV
ing with common impulse toward the
all important point.
| How it Was Conducted.
All had been in readiness for hours.
The government clerks finished the task
of placing the envelopes of the applicants
in envelopes and of tying them in
bundles ready to be placed in the wheels.
The only detail that remained was the
selection of the 10 persons who should per-
form the actual drawing of the envelopes
within the oblong receptacles. They were
young boys of good families and were
named at the last moment. They were all
under age and persons who have not reg
istered for claims.
The day opened cloudy but pleasant,
with Indications of fair weather for the
first nine hours of the drawing.
| First Two Lucky Ones.
The placing of the envelopes into the
wheels proved slow work and the actual
drawing was delayed over two hours.
The first envelope taken from the wheel
contained the name Of James r. Wood
of Weatherford, o. r., who had registered
for homestead in the Lawton district.
| Matte NJ. Beals of Wichita, Kan,
whose birthplace is Missouri, drew No.
2, also in the Lawton district.
The multitude went frantic over the an
pouncement, but became quiet instantly,
and listened intently to hear the names
of the other fortunates.
Without doubt Wood and Miss Beals,
who have the right to make the first
filings, will select the two quarter Sec
tons adjoining the Lawton townsite, and
which are believed to be worth $4,000
| each.
When Colonel Dyer Of the commission
in thunderous tones announced the wo-
mans age at %, her height the same as
that of Mr.. Wood, 10000 persons shouted
in chorus: "They must get married"
No. in the El Reno district is Stephen
A. Holeomb of Pauls Valley, /. T., and
No. is Leonard Lamb of Augusta, o. 7.
She Lost $4,000.
Kansas City, July 30.-A special to
the Star from Oklahoma City, o. T., says:
Minerva McC1intock, aged 25 years, of
Oklahoma City, drew claim No. 9 in the
Iawton district at FL Reno. She was
married here Sunday, and by this act has
forfeited her right to make a homestead
entry. Her chance, it is estimated, would
have been worth $4,000. She. might
have chosen claim near county seat
town.