The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1917-03-08
The SOUTHLAND
and ITS PROGRESS
Plenty Of Monty and Action In the
Oil Fields

AulSd, OhAduOihup moiSn hos
the robins, the meadow-larks. and the
hobos, who fit from north to south
and back again with the changing
seasons have the correct scheme OF
life is readily corroborated by a few
observations in this new state OF the
south. They can fly away from the
long cold winter Of the north and the
long hot summer OF the south-in-
different alike to their business in
terests or the HI. c. of L., while the
average genius homo must cling to
the little corner Of this varied eli
mate that he selects to call home.
With spring-like weather here all
winter, a north country newspaper
containing accounts Of snow storms,
cold waves and blockades causes the
southern people to wonder how any
body lives up north. And therein is
an age old problem as yet unsolved.
The north people like the north-the
southern people like the south. And
there you are.
AS. stated in q former letter to the
Press, this new city among the oil
wells is n of the marvels of the age.
The population is growing SO fast
that it is almost impossible for IN
army of workmen to erect buildings
fast enough to house them. There
is apparently plenty of money and
sufficient enterprise to make Tulsa
the leading city OF the state. and pub
lie enterprise is struggling to keep
pace with the general development.
The expenditure Of money demand
ed by the needs of this rapidly grow
ing city would cause sudden paralysis
to the retired farmer inhabitants of
Iowa's sleepy towns. But the enthus-
iastic dweilers OF Tulsa say they want
a city, and know how to build it.
They appear to have the system and
the price.
Miles OF paved streets and alleys,
with cement walks, and all public
utilities of a modern city 9 high
taxes. OF course. but they attract
people. And any public enterprise
started calls for a ready responsesin
cash. Last week a $500, 900 school
bond was voted. following a like bond
of $4,000 only a couple or three
years previous. The Kendall college,
located here, asked for a 100000 ON
tribution to enlarge and make needed
improvements. A 10 days campaign
secured the $500, 000. The Young
Women's Christian Association are
preparing to build a $4,000 home,
that sum being contributed. The Y.
M. C. A. also put up a $4,000 build
ing, and the Elks have a fine home
costing 100000.
All church organizations have eth
er expensive houses of worship, or are
preparing to build. And each m
means from $4,000 to 500, 900.
Bonds have been voted for a paved
boulevard encircling the city, and a
million dollar concrete bridge across
the Arkansas river has just been COM
pleted. To cut down a 20 foot hill
and make a street across a Is foot
hollow here is no greater task than
the gigantic" undertaking OF a 6 to
IL inch street grade in a prairie city.
Business and dwelling property is
ling readily at high prices. A re-
cent sale of a bare lot 100x120 feet on
Main street. FIVE blocks from the bust
ness center, brought $4,000. Today's
paper announces the sale Of a pala-
tial brick dwelling and handsome lot
10 blocks from the business center at
5000. About an average price for
the popular 5 or s room bungalow and
ordinary lot is $4,000 to $4,000. There
appears to be very little movement
in farm lands, except In leasing for
oil.
Perhaps the most interesting ad-
junct to the city, from a visitors view
at least, is the enterprising little town
Of Sand Springs, located or
eight miles out. 1t was started by
Tulsa's widely known philanthropist,
Charles Page. who obtained a ma
tional reputation by establishing an
orphans home. where ne cares for
and schools a lot OF poor children.
He has also built homes and estab-
lished a colony OF widows st Sand
Springs. The Springs, located in
wooded hills along the Arkansas
river. furnish splendid drinking water
which is piped TO Tulsa. On the pic
turesque hills nes Sand Springs Mr.,
Page has created an attractive amuse-
ment park and zoo which Is greatly
enjoyed by the citizens Of Tulsa. with
which Mr.. Page has connected II by
an electric trolley line, running cars
every 20 minutes.
Like all new states-and some old
Oklahoma takes her politics seri.
ously. There IL something in the at.
mosphere TO . new commonwealth