Congressional Serial Set

Three new counties, containing over 70,000 people, have been added to Oklahoma during the past year, cosmopolitan in character, every State in the Union and some foreign countries being represented. It was most remarkable with what unanimity of spirit each sought to do his or her part toward forming out of chaotic chance an organized community, be it town, city, or country. The utmost good will prevailed, and in harmony of effort three cities builded in a time almost incomprehensible.

These three county-seat cities are all of the first class, Lawton having a population of 7,083, Hobart 4,116, and Anadarko 3,500, and are monuments to man's industry and untiring energy when fired by the promise of a prosperous future.

By virtue of the terms of the enabling act which opened this new country to settlement, these three new counties are launched free of debt during the first year of their existence, with court-houses, school buildings, waterworks systems, steel bridges, and improved highways. The actual running expenses of the counties, together with the abovementioned permanent improvements, have been paid from the fund derived from the sale of town lots in the three county seats. Such a magnificent start places them almost at once on a level with some of the older counties, and far ahead of many. Industries of every character have sprung into being full fledged, oftentimes finding it difficult. to supply the demand caused by this unusual and remarkable condition.

IMMIGRATION.

There has been a wonderful immigration into the Territory during the past year. The novel plan of the opening of the Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache country attracted thousands of people, even through

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curiosity, while many came to register and brought with them bag and baggage, determined to stay whether they were successful in the drawing or not. The new counties will number over 70,000 in population, and it is safe to say that the larger per cent is made up of people from the older States.

But notwithstanding the excitement of the new country other portions of the Territory seemed to enjoy a large influx of homeseekers and men looking for business locations. One might think that owing to the fact that our population has grown so rapidly we would have a large class of worthless citizens, but such is not the case. The people who come from the older States are invariably of the better element. As a rule they are composed of young men and their families, full of energy and ambition, willing to endure either prosperity or adversity.

The wonderful crops that have been produced by our progressive farmers for the past five or six years have been a great inducement to the honest man of the North or East who desired to better his condition financially.

The outlook is exceedingly bright for a continuance of immigration to the Territory. Farmers, business men, and, in fact, all classes of citizens were never more prosperous than they are to-day. A more earnest, loyal, prosperous people do not exist on the face of the earth than those who inhabit the Territory of Oklahoma.

BANKS AND BANKING.

There has been a phenomenal growth in the banking business in the Territory during the last year. The number of national banks has increased from 31 to 60 and the Territorial from 113 to 152.

The establishment of so many new towns in the country opened to settlement a year ago necessitated proper business facilities, and in many instances the bank preceded the post-office. The continued and unusual prosperity in Oklahoma makes it an inviting field for the banker and capitalist.

The stability of our financial institutions is evidenced by the appended consolidated report, which shows a reserve nearly four times as large as required by law.

The flourishing condition of the banks doing business in the Territory, both national and Territorial, is but the reading of the commercial barometer which presages greater things for Oklahoma as a State.