Before the Founding of Lawton

Land Lottery and Auction

Game

Teaching Materials

Credits

Lone Wolf, Kiowa Chief

Another tract of land belonged to the natives.  The size of the tract was 480,000 acres.  This land was called the “Big Pasture."  It was held in common and used by the tribes as grazing lands.  But the "Big Pasture" was taken away, too.  Five years later, the land was sold.  It went to the highest bidder among qualified homesteaders.  The Jerome Agreement was passed in 1900.  It said the tribes would get at least $500,000.  This was one-fourth of the $2 million purchase price.  Children born from the time the act was signed to the time it was ratified were covered by the act.  Every member of the three tribes got a lot. Each lot was 160 acres in size.  All surplus land was turned over to the U.S.

Many people wanted to see the surplus lands opened for homesteads. These people tried to sway their congressmen.  On March 3rd, 1901, the President said surplus lands would be opened for homesteaders.

A Kiowa chief named Lone Wolf did not agree with the commission.  He asked for a court order against the opening on June 16th.  His request was not granted.  President McKinley signed the act into law on July 4th.  The land lottery went on as planned.