The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1909-07-19
A Get RICH QUICK INDIAN
IRRIGATION KEY TO WEALTH

be- an iurush " investors and set
Tiers, but that nrs,. and above all
things else as a preliminary step
toward their development 4 railroad
outlet would have 70 be obtained
from remote territory"
Was Worse Than Broke.
"IIow much capital did you have
to start WITH" was asked MIR lHu
Il was worse than broke hc re-
piled with smile 90 not only had
no capital. hut I was 5000 iu debt
Notwithstanding my bad financial
condition at that time. ] ucvcr had
any doubt about the successful out
come of the step that I was about
to take. felt certain in my OWN
mind that opportunity was knocking
az my door and that must find
way OF letting the gentleman iu."
when Mr. Uul made his advent
into the valley territory the lands
had but little value tie began his
campaign of development by obtain.
ing options to purchase enormous
tracts Of land all fronting upon the
river, al prices ranging from 81 to g.
per acre. He managed to scrape ~
the few dollars that were necessary
20 bind these options FOR one or two
years in = legal way His friends In
Brownsville thought he was fooling
away his time.
These lands amt good for any.
thing but TO Craze goats on one old
settler told him.
Maybe that is what am going
to use them for Mr. lIiu replied
with that quiet grin which has stood
him so well in many OF his big
transactions since then.
Made copious Notes.
while he was riding about the
country obtaining these options Mr.
Hill was making copious notes Of
the lay Of the land along the river.
the availability OF using the recas-
cas- and arroyas for water storage
reservoirs and other data and infor-
nation which were preliminary TO
the vast irrigation works that have
since then been accomplished In the
valley
The time for taking the second
big step in his plan OF development
arrived when he had secured all the
options he could at prices low enough
To be attractive to possible investors
With this bundle OF signed. certified
options in his grip Mr.. Hill startr,.
for st. Louis. Mo. He had to borrow
money to make the trip on. He had
never been that far north before, his
rovings having been confined to the
cattle ranches OF Indian Territory and
Texas, with few months stay al
a law school at Austin. In those days
as now, MIR. Hin Wore his hair hong
He is a picturesque figure, whcrcVs.
you see him. and particularly SO
upon the streets OF a city. He did
not mind the attention he attracted
in the hotel corridor and upon the
streets OF st. Louis. He went 10 the
office OF u. f. Yoakum. who was
then prsdent OF the st. Louis and
San Francisco railroad. Mr.. Hill was
well acquainted with Mr. Yoakum
The latter in the earlier part OF his
railroad experience was general man
ager OF the San Antonio and Ark
ansas Pass railroad, which run.
through the town Of Beevllle. wher,
Mr. Hin practlced law.
Scared the Office Boy.
Tell Mr.. Yoakum that Lon Hi
wants to see him." said the calle
10 the awe-struck office boy.
The boy did not wait for a secon,
bidding. He perhaps thought tina
Mr.. Hin carried a scalping knif'
NOllfNUtTP ABOUT MS flplU'r anu "
, suggest that he send I'm card nigh
bring II forth. Mr.. Yoakum sent on
word for Mr.. Hin 10 come rlgh
in"
This visitor from the wilds o
southwest Texas had not been in th'
; office Of Mr. Yoakum more than al
: hour when a number OF the leader
, in banking and financial circles o
; that city began TO respond 10 tele
? phone calls In each instance Nj
! Yoakum was at the other end o
! the line. The conversation ra,
) something like this.
This IS Mr.. YOakum talking
= would like for you to come aroun
r 20 my office as soon as you can.
. have a business matter I want 20 la
> before you"
? Tho -gnnpga Uaq unuguailv fayo,