The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-07-30
LAND MAY BRING $40, 900
One Thousand 160 Acre Claims Have
Been Awarded.
A DAY FULL OF KEENEST EXCITEMENT
Announcements Of First Winners Draw Thun-
derous Applause From Assembled ThOus-
ands. AT the Days End Many
Drop in Tracks.
(By Associated Prcss.)

El Reno, o. T., uly 29.-Oklahoma's
great land lottery was begun here in ear
nest today, and when the commissioners
appointed by the Federal government
adjourned the drawing for the day one
thousand of the choice OF the thirteen
thousand 16O-acre claims in the Kiowa
Comanche country had been awarded
The first name drawn from the wheels
was that of stephen A. Holcomb of
Pauls, Valley, l. T., for a homestead in
the El Reno district and the second
Leonard Lamb, of Augusta, 0. r. These
two men select the two choice claims in
this district The capital prize wicuers.
however, proved to be James r. Wood, of
Weatherford o. T., whose name was the
first to come from the Lawton district
wheel and Miss Matte II. Beals, of Wi
chita, Kan, who drew the second num-
ber in that district. They will have the
privilege of making the first filings in
the Lawton district and undoubtedly VIII
choose the two quarter sections adjoin-
ing that town. These are considered the
most valuable in the territory, and are,
~ is estimated, worth from $4,000 to
$fS 600 each.
The. day was one of keen excitement.
repleteNwsat.5 interesLiUg scenes. -
estimated thai fuilv 2h 900 pefRUis VIII
messed the drawing. The immense crowd
was wrought to the highest pitch. The
drawing of the first names was followed
by a mighty shout.
The announcement of each succeeding
winner for a time was received with
shouts of applause and merrment. Every
man who did not draw prize from the
wheels today had steadfast faith that to-
morrow or the next day Will surely see
him the possessor of slip reading him
title clear to 100 acres of Oklahoma land.
When the close of the drawing for the
day was announced at 6 o'clock, hundreds
who had neither eaten nor drank during
the day sank to the ground where they
stood, from sheer fatigue or went wearily
to find places for rest or to refreshment
booths uptown The day was remarkably
free from quarrels, and general satisfac-
tion with the Governments method or
disposing of the land was felt.
1t has been found that many hundred
applicants have repeated and that 9TH
ers have applications so Ineligible that
they will be thrown out. Over this much
may be an appeal to the courts.
The drawing had been set for o'clock,
but the transferring of the bundles of en-
velopes holding the applications from me
general receptacle into the wheels, which
was by lot. was SO slow that 1t was lO;50
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 an aperture in the Eel Reno wheel and,
withdrawing an envelope handed II 70
Colonel Dyer The commissioner walked
to the front Of the platform, raised his
hand for order and in loud tone eN-
claimed stephen A. Holcomb, Of Pauis
Valley. l. T., draws the first number.
The crowd yelled for three minutes ap-
parently as much delighted as though
every man had drawn prize.
After twenty-five names had been taxi
en- from the El Reno district wheel. at
tention was turned to that representing
the Lawton district.
The first name brought out for this
district was that of James X. Woods, OF
| Wcatherford. o. r., and the crowd again
went wild This meant that Woods would
be able to claim the quarter section adj
| joining Lawton town, one of the choicest
in the entire country.
The second ticket was drawn and
! Colonel Dyer cried: - have the pleasure
| to announce The name of the first woman
| TO draw prize, Matte II. Beal, Of
| Wichita, Kan
! Then Colonel Tyler gave her descrip-
| tion as 2S years old and FIVE feet three
| inches in height, Just the height Of
| Woods" Instantly the crowd caught th7
! humor of the situation, thousands IN
! throats sent up the shout: They mug
] get married"