USA > Oklahoma > Polk Oklahoma gazetteer and business directory, 1902-3, Pt 1 > Part 3
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70
POLK'S OKLAHOMA GAZETTEER
which had been previous to that considered a portion of Texas, was given to the territory by a decision of the Supreme Court of the United States.
All these, with the Kiowa, Comanche, Apache, and Wichita reservation- just opened, give the territory a settled area of 24,000,000 acres, 1.725,646 still being included in Indian reservations.
STRUGGLES ANOTHER STORY.
This, in brief, is the story of the creation of Oklahoma Territory, but of the long struggles to secure the various enactments of Congress required to bring it about. of the successive great rushes of settlers to the country. of t!a. struggles to build up here an ideal American commonwealth, and of the great measure of success attained. volumes might be written. In the little more than a decade which has elapsed since the creation of the territory. the people have accomplished here more than any other community had ever acco !! plished in a quarter of a century. The story of the achievements of this people, whose progressiveness, energy. industry and American citizenship [ :. never been equaled. reads almost like a fairy tale, and the great and lasting . results attained can only be realized by him who comes and views and ponders.
THE PRESENT.
Looking back over the brief bat orenfful history of their territory, recount- ing their struggles and triumphs, and complacently viewing their comfortable and prosperous surroundings, the people of Oklahoma are well satisfied with their present conditions, and believe their future prospects are brighter and greater than those of any people on earth.
With an area a little greater than that of the State of Indiana, with a climate whose health-giving breezes are nowhere excelled: with an altitude invigorating and inspiring; geographically of the south, but politically of the north; with a mixture of northern push and energy with southern comfort and hospitality; with scenery of rugged mountain and valley. far-stretching prairie and wooded hill: with soil as fertile as the valley of the Nile; with rainfall and other climatic conditions favorable to the successful growing of all the crops of the temperate zone. here is the ideal location for a home and the opportunity for agricultural and commercial enterprise.
And when to the natural advantages with which the territory has been richly endowed, the people have added thriving cities, growing business enter- prises, successful farms and orchards and vineyards, school houses and churches colleges and universities, comfortable and permanent homes, surrounded by at the social advantages of a purely American community, is it any wonder the are envied by countless thousands with less favorable surroundings in the crowded communities of the other States? . Is it strange that the railway trains are loaded with home-seekers whose destination is Oklahoma, and the wage" roads are constantly traversed with white-topped wagons loaded with families discouraged or disheartened at the adverse conditions in many older com munities and seeking the opportunities and advantages which all enjoy here in this new commonwealth?
To all who have come, Oklahoma has extended a welcome hand, and to th. countless thousands who are weary of the ceaseless grind. the galling bond (' conventionality and class, and the overcrowding of all lines of business. pro fessions and agriculture. she extends an ivitation to come and participate in the freedom and prosperity and opportunities of the past as well as the possibilities of a future whose limits seen boundless.
THE FUTURE.
Had any man dared ten years ago to foretell for Oklahoma but a smal portion of what is to-day a reality, he would undoubtedly have been classed with Munchausen, or adjudged a fit subject of restraint in some asylum for the Insane.
And in view of what has been accomplished in these ten years in a few and untried land by a people who had little capital save their strong righ arms and active brains, who dares predict for the future, now that the success
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of all lines of agriculture and business are assured. the lesson of experience has been learned, and not only people but capital and wealth are coming and taking hold on every hand to make the future far eclipse the rapid progress of the past. Here to-day is a growing, progressive American community of more than half a million people successful in all lines of life work, with schools and colleges and universities beyond those of half the States, with a code of laws equal to those of any State; with.a taxable wealth sufficient to carry on all the functions and institutions of self-government without burdening the people. Who, then. can give any good reason why all the rights and privileges of self-government should not be accorded these people? Let him who disputes the claim of Oklahoma to a place in the galaxy of States carefully peruse the following re- port as showing the past progress, present conditions and future possibilities of the territory, and he cannot but be convinced, even against his will, of her right to statehood.
POPULATION.
With a population (500,000) several times greater than that of any territory over admitted to statehood and greater than that of thirteen different States of the Union at this time: with a taxable valuation greater than any State of the tits admission; with a school population almost double the average population of all the States when granted self-government: with an area almost equal to that of the State of Ohio, and greater than that of thirteen States; with a free school within easy distance of every home and a higher college or uni- versity education offered without price to all of the youth of the Territory, of whatever race, or sex or condition: with well governed cities and counties, and laws enforced in every way; with a people 96 per cent American born and all loyal and patriotic citizens; with an annual production of 26.000.000 bushels of wheat. 60,000,000 bushels of corn. 150.000 bales of cotton, other agricultural prodnets in proportion, and herds that pass the million mark: with a financial record without a stain of default or repudiation: with a financial. commercial and business growth equaled by no other State or Territory, is not Oklahoma clearly entitled to admission to the sisterhood of States?
And if it be that the lawmakers of the nation decide the Oklahoma and Indian Territory shall be admitted only as one state. how much stronger is the claim for immediate recognition ?
For the Indian Territory has a population almost equal to that of Oklahoma, and combined the State would have a population exceeding a million or about eighteen times the average population of the States of Vermont, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio. Louisiana. Indiana, Mississippi, Illinois, Alabama, Missouri. Arkansas, Michigan, Florida. Iowa, Wisconsin. California, Minnesota, Oregon, Kansas, Nevada, Nebraska or Colorado when admitted as States.
It is claimed by many that the conditions are not right in the Indian Territory for statehood, and it is' true that there are conditions there which present a serious problem for the future, but they can be worked out as well or even better. under State government.
LOCATION AND NATURAL FEATURES.
Oklahoma Territory lies between the 34th and 37th parallels north latitude, and mostly between 96 degrees, 30 minutes and 100 degrees west longitude. Its location, north and south, coincides with that of Tennessee; east and west with Central Kansas and Texas.
It is, like Kansas or Nebraska, an undulating region, restful to the eye and permitting wide views. The western part is modified by miniature canyons, high bluffs and lofty plateaus; while the eastern is bordered by heavily timbered hills-but the general effect is that of the prairies.
The transitions from forest to open plain are abrupt and afford a perpetual surprise and delight. Gigantic and magnificent landscape views must be sought elsewhere. He who admires quiet tones and pastoral effects-the dome of the sky matched in simplicity by the carpet of the earth-will linger long over an Oklahoma scene as It appears in late spring or early autumn.
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POLK'S OKLAHOMA GAZETTEER
The altitude varies from SOO to 3.000 feet above sea level, the general slope being toward the southeast. Population here is densest between 800 and 1.300 feet. This elevation is favorable to grains, forage plants, and a healthful animal existence. It is also an altitude where. according to experts, the greatest in- crease in our country's wealth and inhabitants is sure to occur in the next decade.
It is bounded on the north by Kansas, on the south and west by Texas. and on the south and east by the Indian Territory. occupying a position midway between the extremes of heat and cold, wet and dry.
It is well watered by numerous rivers, creeks and springs, which are fed either by mountain snows or by local rainfall. These sources are usually suf- ficient to keep the watercourses supplied, so that they rarely. if ever, run dry. Good water may be found in all parts of the territory at depths ranging from twenty to one hundred feet. The streams follow the southeastern dip of the land and comprise two main systems of drainage, the Arkansas and the Can- adian, separated by a commanding water shed.
Into the Arkansas River empties the Salt Fork and Cimarron Rivers, with their affluents, the Cottonwood, Chikaskia, Black Bear, Red Rock and Still- water.
Into the Canadian flow the North Fork. Deep Fork, Little and Washita, with their tributaries.
With few exceptions, all these streams have high, steep banks, and are ten by living springs; they are not as turbid as most mid-continent watercourses, reminding one of the clear waters of New England.
The upland soil is a red. sandy loam; on the bottom this loam is deep and rich, with great moisture-holding qualities. The northeastern counties possess a black soil like that of Kansas. Four-fifths can be cultivated.
Timber is abundant east of the main line of the A., T. & S. F. Ry .. consisting of walnut, oak. cedar, pecan, hickory and cottonwood. and is available for fire- wood and fencing. The early settlers, who were not overly blessed with ready cash at the start, made many a dollar by cutting firewood and hauling it into town for sale. The presence of timber also made much easier the task of fencing and putting up rnde shelters for stock.
Even now the wooded section is quite large and the planting of young trees along the roadways will soon transform even the treeless districts into avenues of shade for the traveler and ultimately into a source of considerable profit for the owners.
SOCIAL AND RELIGIOUS.
Many misinformed people in the States look upon Oklahoma as the home of the savage and scene ot outlawry and barbarism. when nothing can be further from the truth. The people of the Territory. as a rule. are intelligent. cultivated and educated to a degree beyond those of the majority of the older communities. Social life has much the same aspects as in the States, and ret there is a difference: for there are no distinctions of caste or class to be found here.
Oklahoma has been settled by a remarkably strong. self-reliant and energetic people-the more active and enterprismg element from all the States-who brought with them neither "purse nor scrip." settled upon homesteads of 160 acres, each man relying upon his own resources, often consisting of but a strong right arm and an intelligent mind, to build for himself a home sur- rounded by the comforts and privileges of a civilized life.
The progress has been phenomenal, and the wisdom of the homestead law, which encourages the citizen to own his own home and successfully employ bis own labor, has been fully demonstrated here.
This is a thoroughly democratie community. where all have equal oppor- tunities for advancement and preferment. and where all are prosperous. There is neither any very rich nor any pauper class, and the homes of all the people are reasonably supplied with the comforts of life. The people of Oklahoma are cosmopolitan, coming from every section of the nation, and a few from foreign fands. They are energetic, progressive and industrious to an extent that has
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AND BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
caused them to build up in the space of a decade a commonwealth that has never been equaled for progress anywhere in the history of the world. They are distinctively American with less than 5 per cent of foreign birth, and with a per cent of illiteracy less than that of three-fourths of the States of the Union. They are hospitable and open-hearted, loyal and patriotic not only to the nation but to their own rising commonwealth, which every man, woman and child, resi- dent therein. believes to be superior to any other under similar conditions, and a coming State which shall be equaled by few and excelled by none.
TAXABLE PROPERTY.
The total valuation of all property in the Territory as returned for taxation in 1901 was $60,464,696. an increase of $11,126.035 over 1900. Of this amount $4.538,375 was railway property. $17.279,800 farm lands, $8.002,657 town prop- erty, $2,552,932 moneys and credits. and $28,631,013 other personal property.
Farm lands were returned at an average of $3.45 per acre, cattle at $12.58, horses at $17.14. sheep at $1.30 and hogs at $2.46, which shows that property is returned at a very small part of its real value.
The total assessment of each of the counties is given below for three years for comparison:
TAXABLE VALUATION FOR THREE YEARS PAST.
County.
1899.
1900.
1901.
Beaver
$1,341.268
$1.578.563
$1,624.072
Blaine
505,711
633,775
996,096
Canadian
4.356,858
5,591,056
4,071,229
Cleveland
1.775.142
1.S14.744
2.177.522
Custer
1,051,63S
1,278.194
1,681.724
Day
399,668
435,012
477,913
Dewey
498,995
611.200
S10.725
Garfield
2.034.001
2,325,204
3,105,801
Grant
1,820,615
1.66-1.393
2,725.624
Greer
1,622.404
2.049,5$5
3,363.101
Kay
2.192,071
2.647,044
3,404,931
Kingfisher
2.086,002
2.576,510
3,281,261
Lincoln
1,835,070
1,967,596
2,626,587
Logan
4.131,921
4,332,980
4,690,417
Noble
1,576.576
1.647,120
2.029.942
Oklahoma
4.421.699
4,386,337
4.738.133
Pawnee
1.600,708
1.920,003
1,647,290
Payne.
2,169,851
2,277,61S
3.215,641
Pottawatomie
1.784.448
1.983,734
2.951.073
Roger Mills
679,558
738,150
913,713
Washita
892.953
1.124,241
1,433,309
Woods
2.321,394
3.030.963
4.848,240
Woodward
1,5$3,864
2,386,459
2,079,114
Total
$42,982.413
$49,338,661
$60,464,696
TAXES.
The taxes in any new country where there are so many things to be in- augurated, are apt to be somewhat higher than in old settled communities. but the Territorial tax of Oklahoma has been an exception to this rule, having al- ways been less than the State taxes of most of the States. The Territorial tax levy for 1901 is 712 mills, divided as follows:
TERRITORIAL TAX LEVY OF 1901.
Mills.
General fund
3.
University support
0.5
University building
.7
University preparatory school. 2
Normal, Edmond, support.
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POLK'S OKLAHOMA GAZETTEER
Mills
Normal, Alva, support.
.5
Alva normal building.
.25
Agricultural and mechanical college support.
.1
Agricultural and mechanical college building
.3
Agricultural and normal university support.
.1
Agricultural and normal university building
.3
Southwest normal building.
.4
Deaf and dumb institute.
.4
Bond interest
Total
7.5
This is an increase of 2.35 mills over last year's rate, the increase being wholly for the erection and payment of buildings for the various educational institutions.
The amount of tax for Territorial purposes this levy will produce in the various counties of the Territory is as follows:
Beaver
$ 12,105 59
Logan
35.198 11
Blaine
7,470 73
Noble
15,224 57
Canadian
37.284 21
Oklahoma
35,300 00
Cleveland
16,331 42
Pawnee
16.165 03
Custer
12,38S 02
Payne
24,117 34
Day
3.584 34
Pottawatomie
22.133 0;
Dewey
6.080 44
Roger Mills.
6.852 84
Garfield
23,203 50
Washita
10.749 SU
Greer
25.223 24
Woodward
15.593 36
Kay
27.207 23
Kingfisher
24.462 79
Total
453.485 09
Lincoln
19,699 35
Owing to the fact that no taxes whatever were collected the first two years after the Territory settlement, the local taxes in some of the communities were excessively high for a year or two, but every county and city, and almost every school district is now on a cash basis, and the taxes are no higher than in any active, progressive community. While in some instances the tax rate at first glance would seem to be high, when it is taken into consideration that both real and personal property is listed at about one-third its actual value, it wouldl seem that the rate was comparatively a very moderate one. It is a significant fact that the tax rate in a majority of the counties of the territory has been reduced the past year.
TERRITORIAL INDEBTEDNESS.
The total Territorial indebtedness of Oklahoma on June 30, 1901. was $466.220.13, or about $1 per capita. Of this indebtedness $48.000 is in bonds issued for educational purposes in the first year of the Territory's history. The balance is in warrant indebtedness accumulating by a casual-deficit each year and mostly caused by the failure to realize sufficient from the general-fund levy of three mills to meet the warrants authorized to be drawn upon that fund. This does not include the indebtedness incurred in the erection of the North- western Normal School. amounting, with interest, to a little over $100,000. and provision for the payment of which was made at the last session of the Legisla- ture by the levying of a special tax. All this indebtednoss bears 6 per cent interest. but it could be funded into long-time bonds at a very nich lower rate. This procedure would. I believe. be advisable and of great benefit to the Territory, in that the annual interest charge would be greatly reduced and all of the Territorial business he put on a cash basis.
The present Territorial revennes are adequate to meet all expenditures and the rapid growth of taxable wealth would make it easy to accumulate a sinking fund to take up the bonds when due.
Grant
20,442 15
Woods
36.361 51
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POLK'S OKLAHOMA GAZETTEER
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The public school system of Oklahoma is at once the pride and glory of the rising commonwealth. Its remarkable development kept pace with the phe- nomenal material progress of the growing state.
One of the first acts of the legislative assembly a decade ago was to enact comprehensive laws for the establishment and support of a public school system. Indord, the organic act passed by the General Government appropriated $50.000 to assist in establishing public schools, most of which was expended in teachers' salaries.
In each county there is a county superintendent, elected every two years, whose duty it is to see that the school laws are enforced in the counties. to visit and inspect the schools, to hold public gatherings, to encourage education. and to make full and complete reports of educational conditions and progress. There is also a Territorial superintendent, appointed by the governor, who has general supervision and management of the schools, under such limitations and restrictions as the law may prescribe.
The general educational policy of the Territory is molded by the Territorial Board of Education, consisting of the Territorial superintendent, the president of the university, the president of the normal school located at Edmond. and our city superintendent and one county superintendent appointed by the gover- nor. This board grants Territorial certificates and diplomas, certificates to instructors and conductors of normal institutes, and prepares the questions for Territorial, county, and city teachers' examinations.
Some years ago the Territorial board outlined a graded course of study for the rural schools, which has since been put in active operation by the various county superintendents. This course of study graduates into the high schools and the preparatory departments of the higher institutions of learning. Last year over 700 students took the examination; about 312 passed. Since the system was inaugurated some 1,332 pupils have graduated. Our cities have first- class graded schools, equal in efficiency to those of cities of corresponding size in older states. Laws authorizing township and county high schools are upon the statutes. So far none have been organized. It is hoped that every county will organize a county high school at an early date. A few comparative statistics will show the rapid growth of the public-school system. In 1891 there were 9.395 pupils enumerated; in 1900. 114.737. In 1891 there were 438 teachers employed; in 1900. 2,343. In 1891 the estimated value of school property was $12,085: in 1900, $760,972. In 1891 there were 109 schoolhouses; in 1900. 1.930. In 1891 there were 358 school districts sustaining schools; in 1900, 2,006. In 1891 the amount received for school purposes was $44,664, while in 1900. $774.176 was received.
In Oklahoma the district-school system prevails. The district school is managed by a school board consisting of a director, clerk, and treasurer. each of whom holds his office for a period of three years. The district board has charge of the schoolhouse, of the finance of the district, employment of teachers. provides the necessary apparatus, doing all those things which will promote the Interest and efficiency of the school. In July each year there is an annual meet- ing in each district at which a member of the school board is regularly elected. the length of school term determined, and the amount of annual tax voted.
The qualifications for teachers are similar to those required by the States. Examinations for applicants to teach in the rural schools are held quarterly under the direction of the county examining board, consisting of the county superintendent and two associate examiners appointed by the county com- missioners. Three grades of county certificates are issued-first. second, and third grades. The first grade is good for three years, the second for two years, and the third for one year. Under certain conditions temporary certificates are sometimes issued. A normal instituto lasting from three to six weeks is bell Mu vach county anmially. A three years' graded course of study has been out- Lidl by the Territorial board of education and introduced by the county sup- erintendents. Graduates of this course of study are given normal-instituto di- plomas, Teachers who hold first-grade certificates, normal-institute diplomas,
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POLK'S OKLAHOMA GAZETTEER
and two teachers' reading-circle certificates are granted high-class professiona! certificates by the county examining boards.
The average length of school terin last year was four and one-half months. In Pawnee county the average length of term was six and one-half months. As the wealth of the people gradually accumulates the length of the term increases. Throughout Oklahoma a system of separate schools has been planned and is now maintained. The advantages of the races are, however, identical. Our schools are free, and a uniform system of text-books has been used for ten years.
In each county there is a teachers' association, which usually meets monthly. At these meetings educational topics are discussed by the teachers and patron. of the schools. There is also a Territorial teachers' association which meets annually. usually during the Christmas holidays, at some central point.
"Books are the negative pictures of thought and the more sensitive the mind that receives their images the more nicely the finest lines are produced."
The Legislature, by enactment, has made provision for a library in every school district. Each year a stipulated sum is set aside to increase the library. Very many of the districts are accumulating a list of most excellent book's for general reference and for literary study. The county examining boards recom- mend a list of suitable books and the district boards and teachers make selec- tions therefrom. In each county there are also teachers' and students' reading circles. Pedagogical and general caltare books are recommended by the Terri- torial board, which the teachers study.
Oklahoma has looked well to her schools. Foreigners who are contemplat- ing moving to Oklahoma will find that the system now in vogue is equal to the best system in the land.
Our people are enthusiastic and our teachers ambitious to lay well the foun- dation for a great public school system and build thereon a magnificent super- structure worthy of a great Stato. Without hesitation I commend its efficiency and completeness.
HIGHER INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING.
The people of Oklahoma were not content with inaugurating during the Territory's first year of existence one of the best systems of public schools in the nation, but at the meeting of the first Territorial Legislature, when the Terri- tory was not yet half a year old, they located and founded a Territorial uni- versity, a normal school, and an agricultural and mechanical college. Como- dions buildings were soon erected at each of these institutions, and many stu- dents took up the work of the varions classes during the first year. Later a provision was made for the establishment of a second normal school at Alva. and for an agricultural and normal university for colored students alone, and the present legislative assembly at its recent session provided for a third normal school and for the establishment of a university preparatory school at a point in the Territory distant from the university itself.
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