Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-31

ton, wealth and resources. At present the
meager population is settled in river val
lays, between which are mountains and
vast arid wastes that can never support
thriving citizenship, and which seem DOOM
ed to be forever avoided by man.
This state will boast of one of the seven
wonders of the new world-the magnificent
Grand canyon of the Colorado at its north
west corner. The precipitous walls of this
vast gorge rise to height of $500 feet
about mile and quarter. In the center
of the state will lie Zuni, the largest of all
Indian puablos and originally the famed CT
bola, that land of promised treasure in
search of which the Spaniard Coronado
passed through the vast territory in 1j41.
To the northwest are the seven ancient Mo-
qui cities, also still inhabited, where the
weird rattlesnake dance is held each Au
gust. Indeed Arizona will be a paradise
open alike to artist and litterateur.
Oklahoma State.
The capital of Oklahoma state win be
fixed at Guthrie until 1910. After that date,
Congress estimates, conditions of both of
the new states will have so shaped them
selves that new capitals may be established
by election, if desired Before then entire
fairness to all parts of the two states might
not result from such choice. At least five
years will be required for the people to be-
come thoroughly assmilated Guthrie had
a population of 10000 at the last census. 1t
is the territorial capital of Oklahoma, and
inasmuch as Indian territory has no seat
of government there was no choice. Okla
homa territory boasts already of twenty
two towns of over 900 population. Con-
Sress recently made provision for the Or
ganization of towns also in Indian territory
and they have been increasing with aston
iShing rapidlty. 1t was the obvious intent
of the act organizing Oklahoma territory
that Indian territory should eventually be
merged into the former and thereafter into
q state. Indian territory, however, as be-
fore intimated, is not an organized territory
1t is merely an area of land occupied by the
five civilized tribes viz, the Creeks
Choctaws, ChickasawS, Cherokees and
Seminoles; also several small tribes who
hold their lands by patent from the gov
eminent.
Red, White and Black Indians.
These five civilized tribes moved west
ward from the southern states, bringing
their negro slaves with them, and settled
in the territory under various treaties with
the government. These treaties provided
that the Indians should have tribal govern
ments of their own. Some of them later
disposed of their lands to the government.
In the last few years the government has
been dividing the lands of the five tribes
into estates and distributing them among
the Indians individually. The tribal gov
Meanwhile white people have been emigrat-
ing to the territory in hordes, until today
for each of its $1,000 Indians-all citizens
of the United States-there are believed to
tory has 1900 Indians so the total Indian
population of the new state will be about
100000. That of the sister state of Arizona
will be but $500. But only about one
fourth of those of Indian territory are full
bloods. The remainder. classed as Indians,
are 10000 negro descendants of Indian
slaves 5000 whites and $1,000 crossed with
whites to an extent that they cannot be
distinguished from white people About
four-fifths Of the people of the territory
have no connection whatever with the
tribes.
There are probably no better farm lands
In the United States than in the future
state of Okla bona. There are Ii. 600 600
acres of available farms in Indian territory
alone. although th,ee-fourths of its area
Is in woodlands. Probably less than a fifth
of its farm lands are under cultivation.
Oklahoma territory has a splendid climate
and good water. Its development has been
the establishment of the west Only the ex-
IRENE western edge needs irrigation, More
miles of railroad were constructed within
its boundaries last year than in any state
or the Union. The new state will have a.
total railroad mileage of $500. All of the
twenty-six counties of present Oklahoma
are penetrated by the railways giving close
connections with the great trunk lines of
the country. The proposed state already
supports forty daily and 425 weekly papers.