The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-01-09
PLAN OF OPENING
Kiowa Lands Proposed by
F. Sewers to Sec. Hitchcock
TO DRAW FROM WHEELS
Names, Land Descriptions and
Blanks and Avoid. Scramble.
TO DRAW FROM WHEELS

Fred A Sewers Of this city, hs submit
ted to the secretary of the interior
plan for opening the Kiowa and Com
anche country and either this plan OF one
derived from it may be used in disriout-
ing the lands of that country, which is
not to open for settlement later than
August 6, next. as provided by law.
As is well known, the department at
Washington does not look favorably upon
any proposition 10 continue the old
method by which the Cherokee Strip.
Oklahoma proper, the Kickapoo and
other lands were opened; that was by
getting the prospective settlers up on
line, firing pistol at high noon and let
ting the whole multitude scramble for
claims. Anyone who ever saw such a
rush, anyone who has knowledge Of the
contests with which Oklahoma land
offices have been crowded, and who knows
how frequently the charge of soonerism
was true and how the sooner oftentmes
won out By a conspiracy of perjury, IN
derstands the world Of injustice which
results from the race" plan Of opening
and which vii result again, if 1t is adopt
ed in the case Of the Kiowa reservation.
Neither Congressman Flynn, nor the
department at Washington favors the
race, and both are seeking for some new
and just manner in which to eliminate
the mob and unfair features of the
scramble.
This is what Mr.. Sewers of this city
is trying to avoid. The following is his
plan as set forth in a letter to the sec
rotary Of the interior:
Wichita, Kan, Jan. Z, 1904.
To Secretary Of the Interior, Washing
ton, D. c.:
Honored Sir: use this method in my
capacity as an American citizen to make
q suggestion, brought out by an article
going the rounds Of western newspapers
and captioned, Agent Randlet Opposes
Settlement by Sprinting." as per en-
closed clipping which clipping does not
even in a small way tell the story, aside
from the barbarity and killings, of the
injustice Of the run method, whereby
prachced horsemen, cowboys and adven-
turers get all the best lands and lots, |
and often for a second or third time, by
use Of numerous subterfuges ana aliases, /
While the young farmer, farm hand /
widow, maid, and especially the middle /
aged homeless woman or man stand no
show whatever.
I have lived on the frontier for over
thirty five years, coming west from Can /
ton, o., while yet a boy; have therefore !
been a witness to several settlements /
upon the public domain. AS conse-
quence have given the subject some !
thought, and therefore advocate as being /
blameless as compared, and absolutely /
fair, an opening SO to speak, as fol- |
lows:
Advertise generally for specified time /
that all who desire to become boni fide I
settlers upon the lands to be sett ed, /
must send in, under affidavit their names /
and address. with the declaration under |
oath, that they have never before proved /
up" any government land; that they are
American citizens, etc, entirely able to |
fulfill the legal requirements Of all laws /
relating to settlement Of government /
land This they DO under the pains and |
penalties Of perjury and forfeiture of /
whatever they so wrongfully acquire /
Each name sent in to be accompanied by /
a photograph of the applicant, with name /
and address plainly written thereon This /
is the est mbodern detective. When the /
date for receiving names is closed and a /
record Of number Of names made have /
the lands and lots properly designated, /
written or printed and placed in one /
wheel and the names and addresses of |
boni fde settlers in another wheel Such 1
wheels as were used at the drawing in |
Convention hail in Kansas City two years /
ago would answer well; have secretary /
and clerks under oath to keep proper /
record, with two boys to rev1lve and /
take from the various wheels names and /
their auotments.
If the names with addresses are in ex-
cess Of the prizes, blanks should be /
added to the wheel containing the lands !
and lots equal TO the number of names /
sent in. Thus equipped, a name is drawn 4
from one wheel and a lot or piece of /
land or blank from the other. an entry /
of which is made opposite by the clerks /
in a book provided for the purpose. which /
becomes thereafter an important record.
Respectfully submitted with a thought /
only for the public good.
BY most respectfully. your countryman. |