Table of Contents

When the print is so faded that it cannot be read <.....> will be used . All transcription will be as found in the paper, misspellings and all

Unlike most newspaper the Tulsa Democrat does not contain preprinted national pages. The eight pages of the paper contains not only Tulsa news, but news gathered from all around Indian Territory.

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An Hour With Our Exchanges:
Newsy Items Gathered for
Business Men - He Who
Runs May Read.
Important Matters Condensed.
Territorial Topics of Interest
Compiled by Various
Papers - Stolen by
The Democrat.
      The two national banks of Purcell were consolidated last week. The Chickasaw National absorbed the Purcell National.

      Capital: - The President approved the appointment of Mansfield, McMurray & Corrish attorneys for the Chickasaw Nation with a salary of $5,000 per annum.
      The President approved an act of the Choctaw Nation authorizing Governor McCurtain to employ an attorney for the Choctaw Nation in citizenship cases.

      Sapulpa Light: Again the Light would suggest that a flat boat be provided for use on Main Street. The danger of people being drowned if some precaution is not taken in this matter in the near future.

      The Tahlequah Republican speaks in complimentary terms of Judge Tollett, the retiring commission for Wagoner and Tahlequah, and says that all whiskey peddlers and law breakers look alike to the judge.

      Lehigh Leader: - The question of sinking a well with a view to striking an artesian flow of water should be pushed forward. Such a well here would be of untold value to its promoters. It is a good thing - push it along.
      It was claimed by the different insurance companies operating in Indian Territory that the first week of 1900 caused them a loss of close to $100,000 in Indian Territory. This alone is one of the strong arguments for water works.

      Lehigh Leader: - J. W. Ford killed a hog Monday that dressed 430 pounds. This demonstrates the one fact that hogs can be raised here as well as in any part of the country. It pays to raise hogs and corn, as Mr. Ford knows by experimenting.

      South McAlester Capital: - Ab Grantham, a young man charged with being an accessory to the murder of Mrs. Plunket at Scipio on Christmas day, was granted bond today in the sum of $1,500. He gave the required amount and was released.
      Two new churches will be built in Poteau soon. A lot upon which to build a church for the Old School Presbyterians has been purchased near the Bridgeman residence, on Parker avenue, and a site for a house of worship for the Methodist people has been selected and retained near the Dr. Hatfield residence.

      Nowata Herald: - A colony from Chelsea is making active preparations to leave for the state of Washington. It numbers about twenty-five persons. Saturday representatives of the Katy and The Burlington met members of the colony at the Chelsea hotel to arrange with them for transportation. Parties should not leave the Territory under undue excitement - it's a long way to those "garden spots" and return.

      Checotah Enquirer: - Mrs. Susan Woodward, one of the oldest ladies in this section, died at the home of her grand daughter Mrs. Sam Shadix, seven miles east of Checotah last Tuesday night, aged ninety-eight years. She was a Cherokee lady and came to this section from Georgia when she was a very young woman. Since coming to Indian Territory <hole> has lived continuously <hole> in the Canadian district.

      Ardmore: - Suits to disposes lease holders are being rapidly filed all over the district. The contention of the department may be correct that the law does not justify disturbance of agriculture conditions, but this is certainly theoretical. The practical side is seen in the United States courts in the Territory. The Dawes Commission has the lawyers on its side and they are making trouble for the lease holders. Most of them seem to be from Missouri and want to be "shown" that the department has a legal basis for its dictum.
      A bill has been introduced in the house by Delegate Flynn to ratify and confirm the agreement made with the Comanche, Kiowa and Apache tribes of Indians in Oklahoma Territory and to open their reservation for settlement. The chairman of the committee on Indian affairs in the house has appointed Representatives Curtis of Kansas, Stevens of Texas, and Delegate Flynn, of Oklahoma Territory, as a subcommittee thereon. The chances for the ratification of this agreement this winter seems to be especially bright, and the probabilities are that favorable action will be taken before congress adjourns.

      Claremore Progress: - A gentleman from Missouri was in our city last week prospecting for a location in the Territory. He visited our schools and informed us that it was the most pleasant surprise of all the surprises he had seen of the progressive spirit in the Territory. He had come prepared to find us living in dug-outs, with the old time log school house where the teacher was a thorough believer in pounding knowledge into future America with a good sized switch. Instead, he found substantial brick and rock buildings, seated with patent desks and all the modern appliances for instructions. He said the schools in the states could not beat them, size of town considered and a large majority were much inferior to them.

The Smallpox Situation
      Wagoner Record: - The disease that has prevailed all over the country for six months past, and which some physicians, say is smallpox and some say is a new disease, appeared among the negroes in the southwest part of Wagoner about ten days ago. Just eight cases developed, all of whom have recovered and would have been out several days ago but for the fact that they are guarded. A few days later two more cases developed in the same families and they are doing nicely.
      People have been frightened by with smallpox rumors, but the above is the true situation. People need not fear to come to Wagoner for our people believe the epidemic will run its course with the present cases. People come and go off the railroad here as usual, as they do at all Territory towns where the disease prevails, and that includes every prominent town in the Territory.

Bill Cook Slowly Dying:
Famous Indian Territory Outlaw
Nearing His End in Brooklyn Penitentiary.
      Bill Cook, the leader of the Cook gang of outlaws in Indian Territory, who was captured five years ago and narrowly escaped the gallows at Fort Smith, is said to be slowly dying in the penitentiary at Brooklyn, where he is serving a forty-five-year sentence. He is about forty-five years of age and is said to be a model prisoner. Since his health has failed he has been allowed to work or not as he pleases and to lie in his cell if he desires. Cook has never asked for a pardon but he has asked for a commutation of sentence.

Bryan to Speak at Bristow.
      Record: - Major D. C. Cantwell received a letter from Wm. J. Bryan Tuesday. The great Democratic leader stated in the letter he would pass through Bristow en route to St Louis some time during the latter part of February and agreed to deliver a "rear platform" speech to his admires in this section of the Creek Nation.

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Officers Wanted.
      Progress: - Claremore comes very near being without a town government. They mayor has been elected national treasurer, and spends much of his time at Tahlequah. The recorder has accepted a position at Tahlequah and is now living there, while one of the councilmen has moved to Kansas, a couple of them to the country, and now another is about to move to Kansas City.

Arms for Indian Schools.
      Secretary Root has sent to congress a recommendation that a bill be passed permitting the transfer from the War Department to the Interior Department upon requisition from the latter department of such worn out rifles or rifles of obsolete pattern as may no longer be needed for army purpose for use in Indian schools in the training of pupils in the manual of arms.

Politics Uncertain.
      Sapulpa Light: - The Republicans in Indian Territory should send out a smelling committee to learn whether Leo Bennett is a Republican or a Democrat. There seems to be some doubt in the matter.

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Towns to Consolidate.
      Capital: - A pretty well authenticated rumor is current that Old Town is considering the proposition to dissolve her corporate existence in order to enable South Town to embrace the territory of both towns in one incorporation, the same to be called McAlester. The plan is not without commendable features and has strong supporters over here.

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Program.
      The following is the program for Monday night's meeting of the Democratic club:
      Music by orchestra; Opening address to Democratic club, subject, Present Conditions of Indian Territory, and its Political Relations to the United States Government, F. Nelson; Music by orchestra; Address by T. J. Collins, subject, Imperialism and National Banks; G. C. Beidleman has been selected to address the next regular meeting of the club.
      All are invited - Ladies are especially invited.

Died.
      Mrs. Amanda Pittman, wife of G W. Pittman, died at her home in the east part of the city last Saturday morning.
      Mrs. Pittman was taken with a convulsion on Thursday night and never recovered consciousness.
      She is the sister to Mrs. W. P. Hall, and though she was a quiet woman she had won a host of friends who will be pained to receive the sad news of her death.
      The funeral was conducted by the Rev. Thomas Lane, of the Presbyterian church, on Sunday afternoon, and her body was laid to rest in the Tulsa cemetery followed by numerous friends and relatives.
      She was about forty-two years of age. She leaves four children.

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A Republican Club Organized.
      A meeting of Republicans was held in Forsythe hall Wednesday night, and a club of something over forty members was organized. Col. Calkins was made president and Mr. Blakey secretary. J. D. Seaman was made vice president.
      A central committee was elected as follows: Northeast ward, M. Baird and Sherman Pendler; Northwest ward, Charles Robertson and Mr. McAdams; Southwest ward, J. M. Morrow and A. R. Querry; Southeast ward, L. W. Lindsey and Dr. S. G. Kennedy; also the president, vice president and secretary of the club were made members at large of the committee.
      A committee to draft by-laws and platform, consisting of Messrs. Querry, Romine and Lindsey were appointed.
      A. R. Querry opened the meeting with a short talk, and his father, who is here on a visit from Oklahoma, made the closing speech.

Red Fork News.
      Mr. Frank Hinkle, who for some time has been section foreman at this place, left Tuesday to accept a position in Wichita, Kansas. Mr. Sloan, of Seneca, Mo., will take his place here.
      Friday night last Zena Stanley was host to a party of friends at an informal dance in his new house. All report a pleasant time.
      Lee Clinton left Monday for Georgia, where he will join his wife, returning with her in the near future.
      C. U. Dorman returned Tuesday from a visit to Neosho.
      A vote of thanks is extended to Mr. and Mrs. Lunsford and Mrs. Ora Moore-Bridges, who so kindly came and conducted the Sunday school in the absence of the superintendent. Hope they will come again.
      Red Fork has a singing class, organized last Monday night. Much interest is being manifested. With this as an aid, we hope to see our Sunday school grow rapidly.

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Rainfall in Tulsa.
By Our Dawson Correspondent.
      The amount of rainfall in Tulsa for the year 1899 is as follows: January, 0.77 inches; February, 1.68 inches; March, 0.25 inches; April 5.23 inches; May, 7.59 inches; June 5.82 inches; July 3.71 inches; August 2.70 inches; September, 0.47 inches; October 6.40 inches; November, 1.47 inches; December, 1.93 inches. Total 37.94 inches. Average monthly precipitation, 3.17 inches. This is a departure of 3.25 inches from the normal of the last eleven years and is exceeded by but three years, viz: 1892, 46.12 inches; 1895, 44.57 inches and 1898, 52.29 inches. 1896 was the dryest year of the period, 23.80 inches. In comparing the years '98 and '99 we find the rainfall in each exceeds the normal amount for the period, 10.42 inches.
      In studying the precipitation for months separately we see the key to the present unprecedented good wheat prospect. This year we had the second dryest September known in the history of the country, enabling farmers to sow their crop in good conditions. This was followed by the wettest October known, accompanied by warm weather, and a normal November which set the crop forward on its winter growth.

Stolen Jewelry Recovered.
      The following is published for the encouragement of J. M. Morrow, who lost some jewelry some months ago. It will be a consolation to know that in twenty-seven years he may recover his lost valuables:
      From the Ft smith Elevator: - Mr. Henry Miller is today the happy possessor of a valuable piece of jewelry that he lost twenty-seven years ago. The jewelry is an old fashioned diamond pin that was stolen from his house one Sunday night in 1873.
      One day last week Mr. Miller was in conversation with George Winston, one of our most worthy colored citizens, in front of Triesch's stove store, when his attention became attracted by an old fashioned diamond pin Winston was wearing. Looking at it closely for a moment he exclaimed, "I believe that pin is mine. I lost a pin exactly like it some years ago. If it has silver setting in front and gold setting at the back, it is the pin I lost". The settings were examined and found to be exactly as described. Mr. Miller claimed the pin and was told by its holder that if he could prove that the property was his he could have it. He was referred to Judge Freer, Jon. Guler and Mrs. Hightower, Mr Miller's sister. The latter described the pin over a telephone so accurately that Winston at once turned it over.

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