The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1906-05-21


rie proper under Che pfoylslonal gov
efnment. and without a scmhlauco OF
law. authority OF precedent proceed
ed to enact and enforce laws TO gov
ern the people. and In few days laws
were enacted, police and other officers
created and Officers appointed; sur
veys or the city made. boards Of arbi-
tration Created and officers appointed
to hear the cases Of adverse claim
ants to town lots. and to issue certi-
hcates of title to the successful con-
testants. Then the police officers
with the aid OF the regular soldiers
stationed here. would remove the In
truders, leaving the holder OF certi-
fcates In peaceabIe possession. but
not without a strenuous protest from
the defeated contestants most all of
whom kept their claims alive until
after Oklahoma was organized as a
territory and the government estab-
lished courts to decide who were the
rightful owners. Consequently It was
several years before the title to some
OF the most valuable lots was set
tied. Naturally the improvements on
such lots were temporary. The same
thing held good on nearly all Of the
best bottom claims. They we're all un-
der contest and one claim, which is
now a part Of the city Of Guthrie, had
thirteen contests on It, and the low
est number Of contests on any quar-
ter in this section was four. II took
several years to settle most Of these
disputes, but the one with four con-
testants compromised, each taking a
part. The great number Of contests
and the length of time it took to set
tie them, retarded the development
very much, and a great deal Of time
and money that was spent in litiga-
ton would have been spent in perman.
ent improvements both in town AMI
country.
Notwithstanding the starting and
rapid development Oklahoma has
made, it was delayed materially by
the unsettled condition of titles, but
to its advantage. The genius for self
government was here illustrated. Or
der came out OF chaos, and twenty
thousand people, as one man. within
three days after our advent, estsblish-
ed a better government than we now
have, after seventeen years Of strug
gle.
From then on things assumed tan
gible shape and permanent improve
ments were made and good buildings
erected. Before the town was six
months old we had waterworks and
electric light plants in operation, both
Of which were in short time sup
plemented by larger and more up-to-
date systems. as have been all of the
temporary structures that were erect
ed IN the early days Now Guthrie
Is one OF the most substantial up-to
date cities in the country with beauti
full public parks, handsome residences
substantial business blocks. the best
system of public schools in the world
public library. city hall the most com
plete up-to-date Scottish Rite temple
in the United States, modern hotels
theatre. all of the secret orders vel
represented, all religious sects and
creeds represented by large congrega
tions and up-to-date places of worship
a fine street car system. paved streets
sewers, gas, and all modern convent
ences.
How the gold excitement on tn,
school section attracted the peopl,
from all over town and it wasn't bu
few moments until the entire SCI
tlon was stalSed off into minera
claims Some one had reported hay
ing discovered gold.
Mr.. Editor: Here are a few reminis
tences OF the frst ten years Of Okla
homa that may prove interesting read
ing for yonr readers:
How Nose weinberger made his
start by selling Blueheld bananas tw,
for FIVE.
How Harry Pentecost owned hal
Of East Guthrie, drove a delivery wae
on for a grocery. became drum ma
jor and major on the governor
staff.
How Cal Orner was governor of tn
territory for six hours while he hel,
the position Of assistant secretary o
state, the governor anil secretary wer,
absent from the city. His only onicia
act was TO hire the first regimen
band, paying them twenty-five dollar
TO come up and serenade him and hoy
he and Ned Cheadle We're entertained