The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-05-18
Is a Total of Almost Three Mil
lion Acres.
INDIANS FIRST CHANCE
Will Be Left About Ten ThOus-
and HOmesteads.
Government Taking Special
Pains to Prevent Fraud.

sued opening for settlement the reSer-
walton at present occupied by the kio-
wa, Comanche and Apache tribes ot
Indians and which is situated in the
extreme southwestern part of Okla
homa territory, being bounded on the
south by Texas. on the west by Greer
county, on the north by Washita coun-
ty and the Wichita reservation and on
the east by the Chickasaw nation The
Red river forms the boundary line on
the south side and the north fork of
the Red river on the west and the
Washita river for about half the dis
lance on the north.
Its area is 4,63S square miles, and II
contains 1868, 1893 acres. The act of con-
gress under which this country is
thrown open for settlement provides,
among other things, that the following
auotments shall first be made. loo
acres each for about 8. 600 Indians; 49,
900 acres of grazing lands to be held in
common by n embers of the tribes;
about $3.50, 900 acres for schools, colleges
and public buildings, and $4,000 acres for
the Fort Sill military reservation, leav-
ing approximately 1,62S, S93 for home
steads. On this basis there will be
about 10, 900 homesteads of 100 acres
each open to settlement.
For many years these lands have been
used for grazing purposes only, hum
dredS Of thousands of cattle having
been pastured there. The opening of
this reservation to settlement has been
delayed for many years by various IN
terests, but civilization has at last tri-
umphed and in a few years it is believed
agricultural prosperity Will be as much
a part in southwest Oklahoma as in the
more favored districts from Arkansas
City to Purcell.
As the lands have not been cultivated
except Immediately surrounding the
agency, and in an Indifferent manner,
by a few OF the more industrious N EN-
bers of the various tribes statements
OF prospects must be based on results
of the unprOfeSSiOnal labor and the
opinions of persons whose general agri-
cultural experience makes them compe-
tent judges.
1t is asserted by persons who know
that for rainfall and freedom from
drouth this section of the country soon
to be opened viii compare faVOrably
with areas in Iowa or northern Mis-
souri, Before Oklahoma was opened
many persons believed the lands, eX-
lacked sufficient moisture to produce
good crops, but the whole world now
knows how unfOunded was this belief.
Observa ton and experience have taught
that wherever the table-lands have
been broken and have absorbed a sea-
sons rains they are susceptible to the
highest state of cultivation, as the soil
takes up the moisture to a depth OF
several feet.
At a recent territorial exhibit of the
products of Oklahoma, held in Oklaho-
ma City, there were shown cereals,
fruits, cotton, vegetables and melons
in such abundance as to astonish all
visitors. The growth of Oklahoma has
been marvellous. At the end of the first
ten years" existence it stands without a
parallel in history No other state or
territory has had such a rapid and sub
stantial increase in wealth and pOpula-
ton. Here a man can raise more win
ter wheat to the acre and for less
money than in any other part of the
Cd Ia car
cotton, tobacco, kaffir corn, sorghum
and alfalfa than elsewhere, ne can sue
coed better with fruit trees. especially
with peaches Grapes produce abund-
antly, ripening early, thus catching the
highest market. Their flavor and ex-
quisite beauty make these fruits great
favorites on the market. One hundred
peach trees may be planted to the acre
of land, and from three to five bushels
of choice fruit may be picked each sea-
son after the third. The Klowa, Com
anche and Apache reservations embrace
much land equal to that of Oklahoma
in fertility, and when as thoroughly Gull
tivated just as good results may be ex-
pected.
Oklahoma is described as being gem
orally cooler in summer than Texas and
warmer in winter than Kansas; not
subject to the sudden and frequent
changes as either of these states. In
the summer months the gulf breeze
cools the atmosphere and makes the
nights enjoyable. The extremes of win
ter's cold and summers heat are seldom
reached. The hot winds of the south
west and the Anorthers'' from Manitoba
generally lose their force long before
reaching this favored spot.
Immediately north of the center, ex-
tending northeasterIy and wholly with
in the reservation, are the Wichita
mountains. These mountains have
never been surveyed separately. but the
area is estimated al from 250, 900 to 450-
600 acres. Among the peaks of note and
80
Sheridan, Saddle mountain, Medicine
bluff and Signal n Ountain. which form
a chain called the Wichita noun
tainS." At the base of these mountains
are mineral springs, whose waters have
been tested and declared to contain
medicinal properties of rare qualities
In the extreme western portion of this
reservation the grasses are we'll adapt
ed to cattle grazing, which is an ex-
cellent. desirable feature Land suffi-
cient for farming and agricultural pur-
poses can be found in the valleys The
table-landS among the mountains afford
ample grazing lands, well watered and
grassed.
These lands viii be opened to settle
ment by proclamation of the president
after the various allotments and reser-
vatons provided for by law shall have
been made, TO avoid the contests and
conflicting claims which have hereto
fore resulted from opening similar pub
E'lic lands Congress has declared that
the presidents proclamation shall also
prescribe the manner in which these
lands shall be entered. It has been
further decreed that no one may enter.
OCCUPY or settle upon them until sixty
days after the opening
Schemes of various kinds to defraud
hQme-seekers to these lands are being
worked throughout the country. AL
ready q number OF so-called agents
land attorneys have been barred from
the use Of the United States mails and
also from practice before the interior
department Numerous are the COM
plants daily received from the people-