Did Any Of Your Ancestors Go West?

Sept. 14, 1893 – The New Land, the rich and fertile "Cherokee Strip" to be opened on September16. Every head of a family male or female can get 160 acres.

Guthrie, Okla. Just eight days from today in accordance with the proclamation of President Cleveland, the largest body of purely agriculture land on the American continent that remains unsettled and uncultivated will be thrown open to settlement under the homestead laws, and between noon and nightfall on the eventful day a hundred thousand people will find home upon the land.

This body of land is known as the Cherokee Strip or outlet, and is fifty-seven-miles wide and 185 in length, containing about six million acres.

After several years of dickering, the Indians finally sold their right in the Government for $8,000,000, and Congress brought joy to the hearts of waiting thousands last spring by passing a bill providing for the opening of the land for settlement.

This portion of the strip which it is proposed to open extends from the Arkansas river on the east to No mans' land on the west, and contains the most fertile land in the Indian Territory. Kansas touches it on the north and the Oklahoma country on the south.

The soil is a rich sandy loam, very fertile and productive, both on the low lands and uplands, the quality being much better throughout than that in Oklahoma. The ground is covered with a rich carpet of grass, while the principal streams are lined with timber. The salt fork of the Arkansas, the Canadian and the Cimarron, all flowing in southeasterly direction, are the principal streams, and all have numerous tributaries, which make a network of running water enveloping the entire country.

Sept. 21, 1893. - Bound for Cherokee Strip

At Paducah on the Gus Fowler leaving for Cairo where they will go by rail to the Cherokee Strip, which will be thrown open Saturday. The Carrsville group had their complete outfits for camping, including dogs, guns, and other equipment considered necessary to out door life. The party composed of Capt. J. C. Barnett, T. B. Barnett, Crocket Bess, Carroll Bess and wife, Tom Bruce and A. C. Likens.

Sept 28, 1893 – Cherokee Strip

Mr. Lawrence Winlock Cruce who was on hands at the opening of the Cherokee Strip says the land is the most over-rated of any country in the west. A few hundred areas along the water courses he says, is fine, but the larger per cent in "poor stuff."

Oct. 5, 1893 - Cherokee Strip (2)

Capt. James C. Barnett, from Tolu, has returned from the Cherokee Strip, where he and his son, Thomas, entered 160 acres a piece, as level as floor and as fertile as the valley of the Nile. They made the run on the train of cars that entered the Strip. It only run at the rate of 15 miles per hour, without stops and when they reached land that suited them they leaped off and squatted on the ground they wanted. Tom remained out there and Captain Barnett will return in a few days.

Oct. 22, 1903 – Off For The West

Tuesday was indeed a sad day in Marion. Some of her best people left for new homes in the west. Some in search of health and some in quest of fortune.

Among those who left were P. H. Woods and wife, Miss Lavine Woods, and Masters Mortlie and Menard Woods; Mes Sherman Franklin and two step-children, all of whom go to Milburn, Indian Territory.

The Colorado centingent was composed of three generations of the Loving and Franks family. Mrs. F. W. Loving. Mrs. John T. Franks, Miss Annie Williams and J. T. Jr. They go to Denver where Mr. Franks awaits their coming.

The Press regrets to see so many good people leave, but hopes they will all be happy and prosperous in their new homes.

Jan. 19, 1906 – Moving West

Lawrence W. Cruce and family left Monday for Ardmore, Indian Territory, where they will make their home. Mr. Cruce’s brothers are doing a prosperous business out there and while we regret to lose him, we can recommend him to the citizens of Ardsmore and wish for the best of success.

April 4, 1907 – Gone West to Reside.

R. H. Butler left Monday for Okmulgee, Okla. Territory to reside. He recently made a trip West and has since had the fever. We regret to give up such citizens as Mr. Butler and his family and hope for them success and happiness in their new home.

Mr. Butler’s sale, at his late home, near Dean’s school house, last Tuesday, was well attended and his personal property sold well. 

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Some of these people stayed and made the West their new home, others came back to their homes in Crittenden County.