The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-08-16
YEARS
FROM THE
VIRGIN SOD
New Country Was Unbroken
Prairie at That Time.
POPULATED IN DAYS
Where Other Localities Have
Required Years.

ii Keno. .. t., A CORES Ondent here
writes TO the New York Evening Post
as follows: TWO years ago on the
platform at the base OF the school
house hill ten thousand people surround
ed eelottery wheel which deteIninated
who might first enter the 100000 acres
of Indian lands 10 be thrown open to set
Element at that time not a white man
had an abiding place on those spreading
acres. Now the people who then took
possession are celebrating the second an
niversary of their settlement. The ra-
markable history of the new lands during
the past two years has never been equal
led in this nation-it is an example of
the marvellous development that the west
is undergoing. The lands of Caddo, Kio-
wa, and Comanche. Their county seats
are Lawton, Anadarko ana Hobart, while
this CITY, on the edge OF the tract. is
sharer in the growing greatness of the
new country.
The towns were populated in days, and
now have $500 to 100 population, with
all the business advantages OF the cities of
the same size Thousand miles farther
east. There are brick blocks. electric
lights and pleasant homes. There is al
ready population of S0,olo and prac-
tically every quarter section has on 1t
a family. and only one. The property
possessed by these people is worth s9,Oo),-
0OO according to the reports OF the county
clerks, and those figures are on basis
of one-third to one-fourth real value.
Not all this money has been taken from
tt,o soil oil of w
oats. cotton and corn are common over
the new section. Most of it has been
brought here for investment. The banks
are largely owned by eastern capitalists.
the local investors being interested for
the purpose of mana cement. Eastern
means Kansas City and beyond. The
population is so cosmopolitan that here,
as nowhere else in the west, may be
seen the mingling of the north and south.
The drawing prevented a one-sided rush.
and Texas and Kansas had the same
share in taking the valuable lands. 1t is
one secret of the new country's success
that there has been an exchange of in
formation on crop raising. The south
erner has taught the northerner how to
produce cotton, and in return has learned
to raise wheat. The soil is rich, the
rainfall certain. and the oandoiton fay-
orable for a permanent prosperity. The
fact that Oklahoma's valuation has this
year increased nearly s12. 100000 and that
the banks have their largest deposits in
the territory's history, show that Is the
tendency of the territory.
The question of statehood is more act
he i'm favor
or admission without waiting for the In
dian Territory is strong 1t is feared
that the insistence on single state of
the two territories would too long post
pone action. Oklahoma now has about
$4,000 population. With the Indian Ter
ritory added there wound be about 1,l0o.-
900, and the state would be entitled TO five
Or six congressman. The advocates Of the
immediate admission OF Oklahoma say
that the state would be a Democratic
one without doubt while Oklahoma may
be able TO hold up the Republican banner.
1t is pointed out that the people would
be so greatly obligated 10 the party in
power for the boon OF statehood that
they would increase the Republican ma
jority This plea will be presented 10
the coming congress with much earnest
ness; yet 1T is doubted if the result would
bear it out.
The record of failures in thu southwest
is good inlex of the solidity with which
the business is being conducted. PTae-
ticalIy none are listed for Oklahoma by
the mercantile reports. The immigration
is too great for the business houses to
lose, Out OF 12S passengers on a train
out of Omaha l22 were bound for Ok
Iahoma. A steady stream Of new settlers
Is pouring into the territory from the
east and north. They are OF the bess
class-peopie who have money. because it
takes money to buy realty in this sec
ton. Farms with small improvements
sell readily for $5.coo. while the lands
equally as productive and better i'm
proved across the lire in Kansas sell Tor
one-third loss. Why s. l.? Because
of the advertising the territory has re-
eeived and because Of its virgin sol. TIE
wheat this year Is sought al over the
west by ni.lers because Il Is rich in -four
ard has large plump berries
There is one Disappointment in the de-
veloprsnt OF tie rev sectIou-the mining
wei pc the prospects indicated. Tha /
scores of mining companies ineerpos atet I
Ior work in the Wlchs.a mountains have /
paid few divIccnds- bst there are yet (:
hopes The prospecting stage which =
all that has been attains1. gives many /
good samples b1t few bodies q ore or q I.
oil sufficient fer extensive ~1rE- X may !
bs that none WI be found. but the de- I
Il the properties = b-i1s COR 4
tnaed. ssa Eex companies are formed !
every week This u essentially al asr!-
cultural coun;rr and q r as such hat .
Il viii szin future wealth and standing +
Soon another LARGE body % r1ch farming !
Lara viii sc sddcd 20 SIS aeTsz-the reset !
vztIo-s ~ the Ir11ial sribss that yet I've 4
n the central and nOrthsru part q tne 4
tsrrltcry. About E1a.Sss acTes vii then BE .
thrown ooen n settfarrenf. ard The lard .
viii ~ foss7d sas bees Eez s1Ven q ihE 4
Those who ezter there
viii 1ns weaIti r>scv rnads-hsi most i
okla oansrs have done thst Array