The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-28
RESERVATIONS TO BE OPENED
Rush for Indian Lands In OkIahon-n
Expected In August


BY an act of Congress recently passed
about three million acres of land which
row belongs to the Kiowa. Ccmanche.
Apache, and Wichita Indian tribes in o.
lahoma will be thrown open to settle
ment. The title to this great tract OF
rich virgin soil already has passed from
tho Indians to the Government, and On
August there viii be rush of white
settlers on the land. The rush will be
miniature reproduction OF the scenes OF
strife and excitement which attended the
settlement and demonstrating of Oklahoma
twelve or fifteen years ago. The only diff
ference will be that the crowds will not
be so large as were those which made the
famous rush on Oklahoma and that the
Government authorities will know better
now to handle the wild mobs and preserve
better order than was the case in the
original Oklahoma rush. Though no wide
publicity has been given to the announce
ment, Delegate Flynn and other Oiciaho-
mans in Washington say that already
there is considerable movement of home
seekers toward the promised land" and
a consequent infringement of eager emf
grants upon the territory to be settled
The arrangements being made by the Gov
eminent indicate that within few hours
after the bars are let down and the stream
OF homeseekeTs foods the land what is
now tractless prairie. occupied sparsely
by widely scattered bands of Indians. will
be divided into counties. with county
seats and the full equipment of officers
fer the enforcement of law aud the estab-
lishment of social order and security
There are about three thousand Indians
now on the four reservations. and the
Government has allotted TO each of them
in fee simple 1G0 acres of land for farming
purposes and a dixie amount for grazing
purposes. After the territory has been
divided into coup.ies about equal in area
32e acres are to be selected by the SecTe-
tary CT the Interior in each county for
county seat purposes This work Of di-
vision. OF course, viii precede the formal
opening of the lands to settlement. Any
person who is not the owner Of 100 acres
of land and who has not had the benefit
of the Homestead law is entitled to enter
100 acres of these lands. Every entryman
may obtain patent either by living on the
land five years and paying s1.25 an acre,
or he may make final proof after living
on the land fourteen months and paying
S1.25 an acre. Any person who is other
wise qualified, but who made a previous
homestead entry and paid for it in addi-
ton to living On 1t either FIVE or seyen
years or less. is entitled to make home
stead entry on this reservation. The
rights of hororably discharged Union SOL
diers and sailors are preserved, emitting
them to file a declaratory statement by
agent. and in addition thereto they are
entitled to a credit on homestead settle
ment CT the time of service in the army
or navy in the civil war. No advantage
in time of filing or settlement. however,
is accorded to any person soldiers or
sailors declaration will only hold if filed
on land prior 10 the actual settlement OF
the land by another person. The advaa
tage to the soldier or sailor is that he is
not compelled to be present and file or
settle in person. but he can remain a,
home and await the result of the action u
his agent 1t is well, though. for civil
war veterans who desire to share in this
new bounty of the Government to know
that in the opinion of those nearest the
scene it will be better for them to be in
the rush. for the reason that everybody
has the right to enter this land either by
filing at the land office or by actual ocou-
patton The rush promises to be 50 great
that it is safe to predict that nearly every
acre will be taken by actual settlers.
An entirely new method is provided for |
disposing Of the town lots. Heretofore |
whenever town sites have been reserved !
they have been open to occupation by any
enc who in the mad scramble for pos
session was able to settle on them hrSt-
This old method has always led to OPP |
portunities for violation of law black |
mail. and threats. and in many cases has |
intending settlers in the towns |
to equip themselves with six shooters |
and Winchesters. In fact, the settler who |
himself into walking arsenal
usually obtained possession of choice lots
and was not interfered with. The new law
provides thai al the lots in the county |
seat towns shall be sold at public auction
and the proceeds applied to erecting a
courthouse costing not to exceed $4,000, |
and the remainder of the money is to be
used for making roads, constructing
bridges and like purposes 1t is expect
ed that in no case will the receipts from |
the sales of these county seat lots be less
han $10O 600. This fund will pay al the
expenses of the county and equip Its gov
eminent with all the modern facilities
All the county officers at first are to be |
appointed by the Secretary OF the Interior.
A trunk line railroad passes through the
heart of the reservation to be thrown
open for settlement. The new counties
formed. OF course, will be made part Of
Oklahoma Territory, which viii be raised
% statehood as soon as the Indian Terri
.ory is thrown open to white settlement
md made a part of Oklahoma.