The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1901-03-29

improvements made by bona tide set
tiers. Some young men accompanied
by their sweethearts, would pick out
claims where the young man could
take the one adjoining. Then two
cabins would be built-pretty close
tugether-and each was supposed To
live on his or her claim the required
time when a visit to the land office
settled things there all right, then
marriage and the two houses were
brought together and the two farms
thrown into one. The government
price for the land was $l.25 per acre.
one half paid at the time of proving
and the remainder in one year from
that date. But there were many set
tiers, who in order to escape paying
taxes, failed to prove up or enter their
lands for many years, compelling those
who had entered to build school houses
bridges and other public improve
ments.
The Usage lands, both ceded and
trust, were not subject to the home
stead law and on the ceded lands
railroad corporation, of which the late
Jay Gould was president, claimed
every odd numbered section through
out the various counties in which the
ceded lands lay. These odd sections
we're appraised by the company's
agents and rated at from S. to $50 an
acre. Many settlers never knew about
the railroad until they had made val
liable improvements which they could
not abandon without great loss.
Some who were able to do so bought
their land Of the company but the
great mass of the settlers were not
able or willing to do this and asociety
was formed known as the "Settler's
League" the object Of which was to
carry the cause of the settlers to the
United States court. This orpaniza-
tion soon extended over all the ceded
lands but the fight with the company
was long and costly one and it kept
the country back many years or until
finally the settlers won their suit in
the U. S. Court in 1875 and they got
their land at the same price as on ever
sections.
The league also went into politics
and it elected its members to county
and state offices and lleutenant-gov
ernor of the state. AS soon as the title
to the lands was settled the country
improved very rapidly. A new class
of settlers now came from all parts Of
the country and purchased lands anc
built towns and the rowing Dever-do
well pioneer pulled up his stakes agar
and took up his journey towards the
setting sun as the civilization became
too thick on the Usage lands to suit
his style,
Railroads were now built through
these rich lands in all directions. Goa
mines opened; gas and oil were discov
cred in great quantities and lead anc
zinc in iuexhaustible supply. Farm
ers began TO take great interest II
improving their breed of horses, cat
tie and hogs. The town and thu
country prospered and manufacturers
poured into this new country that hat
but lately been dominated by the wilt
Indians of the west and it soon tool
on the esta blished, prosperous appear
ance of the older and thriving com
munIties in the east.
Today there is no fairer or more pro
ductive or prolific region in this fai
state than that so lately known a
Osage Indian lands, or one that offer
better inducements, greater advant
ages to the industrious farmer, man
ufacturer, mechanic and business man
Lands low in price and town prop
erty, in growing cities like Chanute
where there is an abundance of natur
al gas and oil around the city, is yer.
reasonable in price. The day will sooI
be here when all values in town ant
country must double and quadrupl,
in measures. This season there will
be a larger immigration to Kansa
than we have had for years and to th'
home seeker, manufacturer, or an!
good citizen this is cordial Invitation
to come and look over the Osage land
and see our towns before locating, as
suring all that IL they will do so, II
will never be regretted and all will
receive a sincere welcome from these
settlers"
These sketches may be continued
from time tu time in which an effort
will be made to try and reproduce
some of the sunshine and shadows Of
the settlers life in those early days.
G. M. DEWEY.