The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-03-22
aREAr sourHWEsT.

For the last few months the railroads
have handled immense passenger
traffic bound for the new southwest
Principal in all the sections of this
part of the United States toward which
the homeseekers and homemakers are
turning their attention is the new tract
of land which the Indians were asked
to vaeate last summer and of which the
whites were not slow in getting possess
sion. Along with all of the conditions
which assure a bright future to that
new land has been added within a few
days the reports of rain which has
soaked the earth and put it in the best
possible shape for tilling.s
Nothing promises to impede the pro-
gress of this new land. AT the outset
the government put the proposition to
those who wished if it were possible. to
settle there in such a way that the best
element of people was secured. Now
results of this painstaking on the part
of Uncle Sam are appearing. The
movement ofNpeople into the late reser-
vations has been a steady stream; it
has poured into the leading cities and
towns of the land and has diffused out
over the country. Since last fall when
the government wheels ground their
last turn, preparations for settling have
been going forward. In nearly every
quarter section improvements have been
made until over the face of the whole
territory there are sprinkled houses and
barns, showing what the situation is
with the opening of spring.
That alone would be a good advertise
ment for this Oklahoma annex. But
there is this behind it: 1t is being large
ly settled by former residents of Kan
sas who changed their location. not be-
cause they were tired of this state but
because the opportunity came for them
mostly young men-to acquire land
without cost and they seized it. This
means that so far as popula ton is con-
cerned there will be nothing lacking to
make it one of the greatest common
wealths.
The land itself is fortunately located
in the south temperate zone. With
rich soil, we'll watered and situated in
a climate especially favorable, what
can the Kansas people who are to
develop their claims there, not accom-
plish- The land is prairie with here
and there a belt of wood. The soil is
adapted to fruit and grain growing and
to stock grazing.
1t is right now that the real settle
ment of the new territory is taking
place and the outcome of the lottery
last summer becoming apparent. So far
those who have been there seem to be
we'll satisfied. 1t is well to reflect upon
what all this win mean to the country
generally for years in the future. If the
population is a thrifty and progressive
one to begin with, it means that this
new land will be safe. after it comes
into the union as a part of a state.
With this prospective glance it is almost
pathetic to draw out the significance
Nc .rr4-
the land one year ago. Then, to be sure,
a few cattlemen were in active possess
sion of 1T, but it still belonged to the
original owners. 1t is all changed now
there is hope for the better. But at
the same time this matter of the
survival of the fittest is harsh. So the
Kiowas. Comanches and other tribes
formerly inhabiting this 100000 acres
of land have found it