The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-07-30
LOTTERY
UNCLE SAM IN GUISE OF GODDESS
OF FORTUNE AT Ell
RENO
e THOUSAND CLAIMS DRAWN
OF the Thirteen Thousand Quarter
Sections in the Newly Opened
Indian Reservations in
Oklahoma.
CROWD CHEERED LUCKY ONES

Ell RENO, Okla, July 29.-Oklahoma's
great land lottery was begun here In
earnest today, and when the commission
ers appointed by the federal government
adjourned the drawing for the day, 100
of the choicest of the 13 0G0 160-acre claims
in the eKiowa-Comanche country had been
awarded.
The first name drawn from the wheels
was that of Stephen A. Holcomb, of
PaullsvaHey, Ind. Ter, for a homestead
in the El Reno district, and the second
Leonard Lamb, of August, o. T.
These two men selected the two choice
claims in this district.
The capital prize winners, however,
proved to be James R. Wood, of Weather
ford, o. T., whose name was the first
to come from the Lawton district wheel,
and Miss Matte H Bealls, of Wichita.
Kan, who drew the second number in
that district They will have the privilege
of making the first filings in the Law
ton district, and will undoubtedly choose
the two quarter sections adjoining that
town These are considered the most
valuable in the territory, and are est-
mated to be worth from 10000 to $40 900
each. The day has been one of keen eX-
element, replete with interesting scenes.
1t is estimated that fully 25O00 persons
witnessed the drawing. The immense
throng was wrought up to the highest
pitch. The drawing of the first names
was followed by mighty shout that
reverberated between the hills, and must
have been heard for miles over the
prairies.
CHEERED THE WINNERS.
Each schedule winning for a time was
met with shouts of applause and merri-
ment. All was pleasant. Every man of
those who did not draw a prize from tho
wheels today, has steadfast faith that the
next day will surely see him the pos
SCISSOR Of a slip reading him q title clear
to 100 acres of Oklahoma's land. So in
the success Of friends or relations un-
fortunate ones today, instead of bewau-
ing their fate, cheered Justify as familiar
names were called out from the commits
sioners platform.
The crowds fairly expressed themselves,
and when the close of the drawing for
the day was announced at o'clock, hun
dreds who had not eaten nor drank dur
ing the day sank to the ground where
they stood from sheer fatigue, or dragged
themselves to better places of rest or
to refreshment booths up town. The day
was remarkably free from quarrels, and
general satisfaction with the govern
ment's method Of disposing of the land
was felt.
1t has been found that many hundred
dpphGdillS nave GepeaIeQ, ana LllL
others have applications so illegible that
they viii be thrown out Over this mucn
discord has resulted, and the outcome
may be an appeal to the courts
The drawing had been set for o'clock
but the transferring Of the bundles Of
envelopes holding the applications from
the general receptacle into the wheels,
which was by lot, was so slow that II
was 1880 o'clock before the first name
was drawn.
Twenty-Five names were first drawn
from the FL Reno district and then an
equal number from the Lawton district
When all was ready, Ben. Heyler placed
his hand in the Ell Reno wheel and with
drawing an envelope, handed it to Col.
Dyer 1t was passed to Chief Clerk
Massey, stamped and handed back to Col.
Dyer.
THE FIRST OUT.
The commissioner walked to the front
of the platform, raised his hand for or
der, and in loud tone exclaimed:
stephen A. Holcomb, of PaullsvaIley,
Ind. Ter, draws the first number"
The crowd yelled for some time, ap.
parently as much delighted as If every
man had drawn prize.
Envelope No. 2 was quickly drawn forth
and Col Dyer announced Leonard
Lamb, Of Augusta, o. T., born in Hi
nois."
In quick succession other envelopes
were drawn, and as the names were an
nounced every one was greeted with a
Volley of cheers.
When twenty-five names had been taken
from the Ell Reno wheel, attention was
turned to that representing the Lawton
district
MANY MATCFTMAKERS
The first name brought out for this lis
trlct was that of James r. Woods Of
Weatherford, o. T., and the crowd again
went wild. This meant that Woods would
be able to claim the quarter section ah-
Joining Lawton town, one Of the choicest
In the entire country.
The second ticket was drawn. and Co;
Dyer cried out: "I have the pleasure 10
announce the name of the first woman
to draw a prize, Matte H Beal OF
Wichita, Kan"
Then Col. Dyer gave her description as
tWenty-three years old and five feet three
inches in height, just the height of
Woods. Instantly the crowd caught the
humor of the situation, and thousands of
throats sent up the Shout:
They must get married.
The eighteenth winner In the Lawton
district was Minerva McCnntock, aged
twenty-five years Of age, of Oklohoma
City: She was married yesterday, and
by this act forfeits her right to file for a
claim. She might have chosen a claim
near county seat town worth several
thousand dollars. The drawing viii be
resumed tomorrow at 8 o'clock
INJUNCTION DENIED
WASHINGTON, July 2s.-The depart
ment of Justice today received a tele
gram stating that Judge Erwin. of the
United States court in Oklahoma had
denied the application of Lone Wolf and
other Indians for an injunction restrain
ing the government from drawing lots
for claims in the reservations