The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1907-09-22
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Developments to date have proven
the Indian Territory section OF the
now state to be far more abundant
lv blessed with natural resources
than any other country of equal area
on the globe The greatest oil anu
gas fields I'm the world are here, and
the greatest coal and asphalt depos
its The soils too are the richest
known, producire bndcr the care ol
skilled agriculturalists the greatest
,,etd nor acre of corn and cotton and
wheat. oats barley. rye and alianl'
Fruits and vegetables grow to Ideal
perfeotion and stockmen have dem
,strated that It is the best of ah
countries and climes for raising fancy
brad horses. cattle and hogs.
But this is not all-not all OF nat
ure's great gifts to this favored sec
ton In the very heart OF this won
derfil Indian country. at sulphur IN
tho Chickasaw Nation. she has plac-
ed the worlds most resttul scenery
and the worlds greatest healing
waters.
Ages ago. centuries perhaps before
rolumbut discovered Amoaica, the
Idians knew of these great springs
and "trailed the footsteps Of their an
cestors 10 the peaceful valley OF rip
ling waters. there to rest and fish ana
talk o. conquests' a. indicated IN
the following beautiful legend: and
when tired siuows forced the Aalt
the warriors gathered the dried Vehi-
son and ripened corn. md with their
old and young trailed the footsteps
of their ancestors to the peaceful val
ley of ripling waters, where the
shade Of many trees cooled the heat
of the summer day and the surround
ing hills admitted not the biting
winds of winter. there to rest and hsh
and talk Of conqucsts. Then II was
that old men grew glad OF heart
again and fretful papooses ceased
their whining"
These great springs and the park
which surrounds them. n legacy left
the white people by the Red Man, Is
now owned and safcguarded by the
United States. The reservation Is
called Platt National Park in honor
of Senator Plat of Connecticut who
was largely responsible for its pur
chase from the Indians and it's Sc
gregation. Senator Plat was also q
regent OF the Smithsonian Institute
At the time of his death he was plan
ming. through national legislation. tC
put the Platt National Park undcI
the control and direction of the re
regents of the institute, make II M
outlet for the animals aCcumulatiul
in the geological gardens at Wash
ington. 1t was the ambition and plai
of the Senator 10 have the United
States build great museum in the
park wherein should Ice gathered
every thing Of human interest con
corning the five civilized nations an'
other tribes that are now passinl
away-being absorbed into the citi
zsnship of the great republic; als'
the geological and meteorlogica
specimens of this wonderful section
The Senator had visited and person
ally inspected the springs and kneN
that thousands 70 white people woul
come in future years, as the Indian
had done in the past. for these grea
medicinal waters, lie wanted thes
two constitutions, the museum an
geological garden. to be oducationa
features for the people of this seotio
and for all who come to this resor
for rest, health and pleasure.
The immediate realization of thi
ambition was cut short by the III
timely demise OF the Senator. Bu
his friends and friends of his plan
men abd women who have the higl
est ideals of human life and happ
ness-will not be dcrclot In urgin
the national government To carry hi
plans TO an early completion, 4
ready the Connecticut legislature, IN
G. A. r. and L. c. V. have memora
ized congress to enact all neccssar
legislation and appropriate all nece'
sary funds TO this end
Plat National Park has an area c
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