Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-08-03
lottery At FL RENO
Uncle Sans Big Drawing Goes OFF
Nicely.
10000 TICKET HOLDERS
Name Of Young Woman Claimant the Second
to Come Of the Wheel Emitting Her to a
Tract Worth About $40, COOL 900
Of the 1900 Envelopes Drawn
Out the First Day.
Out the first Day.


Out the First Day.
FL Reno, o. T. July 0-Oklahoma s
great land lottery was begun here in
earnest yesterday and when the COM
missioners appointed by the Federal
government adjourned the drawing
for the day 1000 Of the choice of the
13, 900 100 acre claims in the Kiowa-
Comanche country had been awarded.
The first name drawn from the
wheels was that of Stephen A. Hol-
comb, of Pauls Valley. |. T. for a
homestead in the Ell Reno district,
and the second, Leonard Lamb, of
Augusta, O. Il. These two men select
the two choice claims in this district.
The capital prize winers, however,
proved to be james r.. Wood, OF
Weatherford. o. l.. whose name was
the first to come from the Lawton
district wheel and Miss Matte r.
Beals, of Wichita, Kans., who drew
the second number in that district
They will have the privilege of max
ing the first filings in the Lawton dis
trict, and will undoubtedly choose
the two quarter sections adjoining
that town. These are considered the
most valuable in the territory, and
are, it is estimated, worth from $40,
600 70 $40, 900 each.
The day was one of keen excite
ment, replete with interesting scenes.
1t is estimated that fully 2, 5000
persons witnessed the drawing. The
immense throng was wrought un to
the highest pitch. The drawing of
the first names was followed by
mighty shout.
The announcement of each succeed
ing winning for IA time was received
with shouts of applause and merri-
ment. Every man VINO did not draw
a prize from the wheels yesterday had
steadfast faith that the next day will
surely see him the pos essor of slip
reading him clear title to 100 acres
of Oklahoma s land.
HUNDREDS FALL EXHAUSTED.
When the close o. the drawing fer
the day was announced at 6 O'Clock
hundreds who had neither eaten nor
drunk during the day, sank to the
gound where they stood from sheer
fatigue or went YEARLY to find places
for rest or to refreshment booths up
town The ay was remarkably free
from quarrels and general satisfaction
with the government S method of
disposing of the land was felt.
1t has been found that many hun
dred applicants have repeated, and
that others have applications so illeg-
ible that they will be thrown out.
Over this much discord has resulted,
and the outcome may be an appeal to
the courts.
The drawing had been set for 8
O'Clock but the transferring of bundles
of envelopes holding the applications
from the general receptacle in the
wheels, which was by lot went so
slow that it was 10 30 O'Clock before
the first name was drawn. Twenty
five names were first drawn from the
Ell Reno district and then an equal
number from the Lawon distict.
When all was ready Ben Heyler placed
his hand in an apertuer in the Ell
Reno wheel and, withdrawing an en-
velope, handed it TO Col. Dyer. The
commissioner walked TO the front of
the platform, raised his hand for or
der, and in loud tone exclaimed:
Stephen A. Holcomb, of Paul's Val
ley, |. L, draws the first number. +"
GREETED WITH A YELL.