The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1905-08-08

ttartling changes in the Indian Terri
tory, and the next few years viii see
it transformed into one of the most
opulous and prosperous of all South
western states.
Durin gthe twelve years between
1890 and 1902 immigration into the
Territory was naturally light. as not
one acre of land could be bought
from the Inilians. The entire Terri.
tory was held In common by the Five
Civilized Tribes the chickasaws,
Choctaws. Creeks, Cherokees and
Seminoles and only because the trib-'
al governments permitted the leasing
Of tracts Of land to the whites for agri,
cultural and grazing purposes was It
possible for any of the latter to enter
there and earn a livelihood.
In 1902 the United States govern,
ment took the first steps towards op
ening the Territory to outsiders
step that was rendered absolutely
necessary by the advent of the rail-
roads, along whose lines cities ami
towns were springing up, for which
it was evident that sites must be pro-
vided which could be suh-divided and
allotted on d more satisfactory basis
than the leasehold plan Therefore.
certain lands at suitable points were
reserved for townsite purposes, sur
veyed and plated ami offered for sale
to those who desired to purchase.
This was the entering wedge Soon
other lines III railway began to pene-
trate the new land III promise, making
further townsite reservations neces-
sary. In many cases the towns on the
older lines outgrew their original sites,
compelling the enlargement Of their
boundaries. Finally early in 1904, the
last barrier was removed, by agree
ment with the tribes which permits
the outright sale of any lands. under
certain simple preliminary restrict
ions imposed for the protection Of the
Indians and having no effect what
ever oh the validity Of the title given.
indians Failures as Farmers.
After many long years Of earnest
effort to make farmers of the Indians
the Government has finally been com.
PEELED to acknowledge that the exper.
ment has proved a failure. Today less
than 100000 Of the 20,000,000 acres
Of tillable land are under cultivation.
and even that small proportion is cur
tivated In crude, hap-hazard man
ner, that gives only hint of the
bounteous returns Of which its mar
velous fertility Is capable. 1t il eyl
dent folly to longer withhold this mag
nificent empire OF agricultural and
mineral wealth from development. so
the bars have practically been lowered
and new field of untold wealth open
"a To the advance Of civilization and
progress.
The result is that thousands of am
bilious Americans are turning their
eyes to the Indian Territory. Large
numbers Of them have already gone
there, either To inspect or locate, other
hosts are on their way, and multitudes
are getting ready 10 60
The total land area Of the Indian
y Territory is 31.4Oo miles, about thai
Of the State Of Indiana. The popn
lation in 1890 was 1S0,132; iii 1900
$4,000, Or an average yearly increase
o. z167 per cent AT this rate the pop
ulation at the close Of 1903 was $50,
600 and at the emf Of 1904 will b.
100000. Unquestlonably however
these figures are far below the mark
But one tenth Of the entire acreage
is at present under cultivation, and lii
tie OF that is properly farmed. The sur
face scratching with an old mule ant
"bulI.tongue," which has prevailed
hitherto, cannot be dignified as pillow
Ing. Yet In all this enormous ares
there Is practically no waste land, ant