The Cherokee Outlet...
The part of Oklahoma Territory that my ancestors
settled in was the northwestern part (a.k.a. Alva Land District,
or "M" county), of the Cherokee Outlet.
 The
Cherokee Outlet (a.k.a. Cherokee Strip) was formed by the
United States government to give the Cherokee Indians of Eastern
Oklahoma a path or "Outlet" to hunting lands in the West.
It ran along the northern part of Oklahoma Territory.
The Trail Drovers from Texas crossed the Outlet
to move thousands of head of cattle to the railroads in Kansas for
shipment back east. Many drovers of these cattle drives refused
to pay the Indians for passage across their land, though. The Indians
frequently would stampede the cattle and in confusion liberate a
few head for themselves. This is about the time a group of cattlemen
(a.k.a. "The Cherokee Strip Livestock Association")
finally leased the Outlet for a period of years.
Of course... this was NOT the end of the
troubles the Indians and the Association ran into. It just brought
more settlers slipping into the "Strip" to establish farms.
After several years... the U.S. Government
stepped in because of the pressure from the people wanting the Outlet
opened for settlement. This is when the lease between the Association
and the Cherokee Indians was declared null and void. The government
pressured the Indians into accepting a $1.25 per acre buyout for
their land. In the final negotiations, the dollar sum was fixed
at 8-1/2 million or approximately $1.29 per acre.
The Outlet was divided into 4 districts...
- The westernmost segment was called "Woodward
Land District" (formerly referred to as "N" county).
- The next division to the east became the "Alva
Land District" (earlier known as "M" county. In
1907, it split into three counties... Woods, Major and Alfalfa.)
- Further to the east was the "Enid Land District"
(previously "L" county and "O" county).
- At the far eastern end of the Outlet was the
"Perry Land District" (which had been "K",
"P", and "Q" counties).
The purchasing of the Strip from the Cherokee Indians cleared the
way for the land to be opened for settlement, September 16, 1893.
An estimated 100,000 to 150,000 people (including a number of
Civil War veterans) were given the opportunity to acquire 160
acres of "free" land. Unlike the fertile land quarters
in the eastern end of the Outlet being claimed 16 September 1893,
the rougher western portion of the Strip seemed less desirable and
many quarters were not immediately claimed.
To stake a claim... the claimants had to be of legal age
(21) and not have previously claimed land in another area under
the Homestead Act of 1862.
The land was not intended to be "free". The government
wanted to recover the 8-1/2 million dollars paid to the Cherokee
Indians for the purchase of the Strip. Congress voided the "have
to repay" requirement in 1900, so most homesteaders did
not pay for their land.
The claimants in the Alva Land District were required to travel
to the town of Alva to file the necessary papers for their new claims.
This was a time when there were no railroads, bridges or even roads
in this area. The trip to Alva must have seemed like another hardship.
With filing requirements met, the claimant then had to "prove
up" this land. This meant building a permanent living structure
and getting the land ready for crops... IF the land was suitable
for farming. Also... a claimant could not be absent from his property
for a period to exceed 6 months. Upon meeting all the requirements
for claiming land, the government issued a document called a "Patent,"
which gave the landowner title to his property.
It is reported... these people who started their new lives
in the Cherokee Strip that Fall day in September 1893, were sturdy
souls. Just surviving the first few years required lots of determination
and muscle power. It is from this ancestrial stock which many of
us living in the Strip today came. Let us remember our ancestors
pasts with respect and admiration. Where would we be today if they
had NOT staked their claims and stuck it out that Fall and Winter
of 1893?
Oakie's NW Corner...
 After
spending Christmas in the southwestern Rockies, we are finally headed
back home to Oklahoma tonight (Friday), December 28, 2001.
There is almost a Full Moon shining, guiding and lighting our way.
Tonight we are settled in for the night in a hotel suite in Albuquerque,
New Mexico as I put the finishing, refining touches on this year's
final newsletter, Iss. #52, Vol. III. of 2001. I am thinking back
to all of you who have let me come into your life each weekend so
that I could share a part of my Oklahoma, history & thoughts
with you. Thanks!
Has it really been a year? Y'all have taught me so much these last
three years. Thanks! Thanks for letting me share my part of the
world with you each week. It seems like only yesterday that we were
moving into our New Domain (OkieLegacy.org).
How time does fly when you are doing something you really enjoy
doing, huh? It has been a fantastic, memorable year remembering,
sharing the past -- living the present -- soaring into the New Year
2002 with Y'all.
Speaking of soaring... A couple of days ago driving through
the mountains I got my first real glimpse of a bald eagle in flight
above the tall pine trees. It's long wings were outstretched with
such ease as he soared above it all. I do not know why I have this
fascination with eagles, but to be that eagle soaring above it all,
looking down at earth as it glides through the wind, air... Aaaahh...
ecstacy. To be like an Eagle.... As my slogan says, "Like the
Eagle! Be not afraid of the storm! Be as
strong! Be smart enough to soar above it!"
Before I have to sign off here for tonight... I want
you to know that I have a couple of interesting stories working
on the sidelines for next years 2002 Issues. So stay tuned. AND....
If you have any interesting Okie Legacies or photos to share with
us all, please Email them to Linda
- NW Okie
~~ Linda "OaKie" ~~
|
Linda K McGill Wagner