The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1903-05-14
THE NEW COUNTRY.
Ex.circuit Clerk ]. P. Thurman Writes
Interestingly of Oklahoma.
WALTER, o. T., May 4, 1908.

IOr sometime anu CduuOt Icsleb tntt
desire any longer. The usual way is
to tell when you start, what train
you took and the hour and minute
you arrive ut certain stations, and
the exact time you arrive at your
destination. This should all be writ
ten back to the home paper within a
week after lesving home-the fellow
who leaves Bates county usually is
so homesick in a week that he would
die il he did not write back. The dis.
lance "cuts no ice"-Nevada Is far
enough-Texss, Oregon, Manila
anw here will do. Neither 10 the time
ever out OF place-one week or twen-
ty years is the same-they all write
back, 80 here goes.
This Comanche country is won
der in many respects. On Aug. 9th,
1901, less than two years ago, from
1000 to $4,000 people were camp
ed around the edge OF the 800 acres
laid out by the Government for the
TOWNSHIP OF Lawton; tents were so
thick that another could not beplac-
ed in line around the town except on
the west and a part of the north and
thousands were back from the bound
airy; the U. S. soldiers forbid any
trespassing whatever on the new
townsite; on that day l saw the
streets moved out, 80 the lot and
block stakes could be seen the next
day-the day OF the opening OF the
lot sale. Free delivery was extended
to Lawton and began May 1. About
12,000people dwell in the metropolis
OF this new country; great wholesale
houses send out their supplies over
several railroads to many towns In
the new country and into north
Texas as well as into the Pan Handle
of that state; more than TOO sub
scribers transact business over their
telephone lines; factories, ETC., are
numerous. A fine school system was
installed within 60 days after the
opening and at present a high school
building costing $40, 000is arranged
for. Nellie Wolverton graduated at
Lawton at the same time her Rich
Hill classmates graduated in Rich
Hilton ground that had been held
by the Indian for untold centuries
till less than two years ago. Law
ton is 40 large that she, like st.
Louis, has a Doodle investigation;
but unlike that city in this, that her
officers are found to be on the
square"
Two years ago there was scarcely
a board In this country, nor a post
nor wire except at the cattle camps.
Now the white house with red barn
can he seen most anywhere and al
most every farm is fenced and cross
fenced.
Towns have sprung up all over
this country. Outside of LawtOn, In
order, the best are Walter, Snyder,
Gosnell, excepting the towns of
Hobert and Anadarko, established
az tne opening.
About 200 schools are in operation
in this county (Comanche) at the
present time. There are as many
fine turnouts here as any place lever
saw outside OF the cities. These PEG,
pie brought all they had and came
to stay-till another opening, at
least.
We, at Walter, are within 5 miles
OF the big Pasture" which is about
twice as large as Bates county; it lies
west OF US and is as fine piece OF
land as was ever laid out. We expectit
to open next Congress. Then will be
a small chance for the Bates county
boys to get a home without working
q life time for it.
The climate, it seems to me, Is al
most perfect. l do not mean to ad-
wise parties to come here without
seeing for themselves. The best op-
portunities have passed, but there is
a fine field for investment yet and la
Dor OF all kinds can find employment
at good figures, but anyone who has
not saving disposition will spend
all he makes for there are so many
ways OF spending money here.
All the "absent sons OF Bates"
would like to get home, if there were
the opportunities there, as there are
in the new countries.
There are more shrewd men here
than any place l know of. They
have been to all the openings and
will be at all that are to come.
Klondikers, Cripple Checkers, adven-
turers OF Mexico and South America
are numerous. The experience they
have, has enabled them to acquire a
large amount OF "confidencs"-con-
idence in themselves, in the future OF
the country, in their ability to make
q profit out of any investment or win
at game OF chance.
We, at Walter, are awaiting the
opening Of the Big Pasture. Others
are talking Of the possibilities of
others are talking Of Indian
Territory. Oklahoma and Indian
Territory offer many advantages.
Land as fine as in Bates can be had
in this county at from SO to $40
per acre; in the Indian Territory, at
rom 81 to $40.