The National tribune., 1906-08-16
OKLAHOMA LANDS.
An important Sale to be Made. Probably
In December.

1t is now proposed to throw open to
settlement the Kiowa, Comauche and
Apache Reservation in Oklahoma. The
Reservation is located on the extreme
southern border Of the State. in CO.
manchs County. and consists of 100000
acres of the so-called pasture or grazing
land. and $4,000 acres on the extreme
eastern border of Comanche County. set
aside as a wood reservation. making in
all 505.000 acres. These are the last
public lands in Oklahoma, and when
they are disposed OF the end of home
steading in this state will have been
reached. Out of these pasture lands.
prior to the issuing of the proclamation.
$50 acres will be allotted to each child
of Kiowa. Comanche or Apache parent
age born since June s, 1900. the parents
having been entitled to allotment. Just
how much the acreage to be distributed
among the homesteaders will be reduced
by this allotment has not yet been de-
termined.
The lands are to be sold under sealed
bids or at public auction the minimum
price being IS per acre. one-ffth of the
price bid therefor to be paid at the time
the bid is made, and the balance in four
equal annual installmeuts-the land and
payments to be forfeited in case Of fail
ure to pay any of the installments. None
but homesteaders will be entitled to bid.
and no patents to issue until the pur-
chasers shall In all respects have COM
piled with the terms and provisions of
the homestead laws.
Concessions to Old Soldiers.
The bidder must be a citizen of the
United States. or have declared his in
tention to become such; must be the
head of family, or over the age of 81
years; must not be the proprietor of
more than $50 acres OF land in any
State or Territory, and since Aug. 80,
1890, must not have entered under the
land laws of the United States. or filed
upon a quantity of land of agricultural
character. and not mineral, which. with
the tracts now applied for, would make
more than 320 acres
Especial concessions are made to the
soldiers and sailors of the civil war and
of the late war with Spain. inasmuch as
any officer, soldier. seaman or marine
who served for not less than 80 days in
either war and was honorably discharg-
ed. and has remained loyal to the Gov
ernment. who makes homestead entry
Of $50 acres, is entitled to have the
term of his service, not exceeding four
years, deducted from the period of five
years residence on the land required
under the homestead laws, and any such
officer. soldier. sailor or marine may file
his claim for tract of land through an
agent. and may have six months there
after within which to make an actual
entry and commence his settlement and
improvements upon the land.
1t Is understood that none of these
lands are arid, and that practically I'll
of them are well adapted for agricui-
turaI purposes. 1t is also believed that
only the poorest Of them win go as low
as S. per acre. $40 per acre being con-
sidered as about the maximum. with
possibly IS to $40 as the average.
Size of Tracts to He Sold.
1t is certain that the lands will be sold
prior to Dec. s, 1906. on some day to
be fixed between now and then. In this
connection all sales and entries will be
made subject to any existing lease for
agricultural purposes which may have
been heretofore made, hut entrymen
whose lands are covered by such leases
will be entitled to all rent accruing after
the sale Is made to them.
At present 1t Is understood that the
lands will not be sold in less than 100
acre tracts, but it is very probable that
the rules of the Secretary will admit of
their being disposed of in tracts of 40
acres, which, it is believed, will enable
the Government to realize a better price
and as the lands are being sold in the
sole interest of the Indians, it is the
duty Of Uncle Sam to get the best possf-
bIe Drices for them