Continuing the theme of Land openings in which the Fergusons had an important part, this article is about the Cheyenne-Arapaho opening of April 1892.  Understand that the Fergusons arrived from Kansas to this area in October 1892, but the opening and the arrival of the Fergusons are importantly intertwined.

4.3 Million Acres in Western Oklahoma

The area comprised six counties in western Oklahoma: Blaine, Custer, Dewey, Day, Washita and what became Roger Mills counites.  The total area comprised 4.3 million acres Census 2024.  Cheyenne-Arapaho individuals received approximately 560,000 acres in allotments of 160 acres to adults.  The US Government purchased 3.5 million acres from the tribes by the US government for $1.5 million Wikipedia Land Run of 1892. 

25,000 people lined up for a chance at 160 acres

On April 19, 1892, after a proclamation by President Benjamin Harrison on April 12 (7 days of notice), some 25,000 persons lined up claim the land.  One reason for the short notice was to try to avoid the chaos of the 1889 and 1991 runs.  However, at the end of the day, 2.8 million acres remained unclaimed, about 4/5 of the available land.  In June 1892, an estimated 7600 settlers were living in the land.

Reasons for the low uptake by farmers

The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History mentions several reasons for the light uptake of this land Encyclopedia OK History.  “First, most people considered the region so barren that “about the only sure crop was the rattlesnake.””  Many considered the land best suitable for cattle rather than farming.  Indeed, the land suffered from an eleven-year drought which only ended in 1896.  Ranching interests propagated the idea that the land was best suited for ranching .  Ranchers were known to harass farmers burning fences and filing charges against farmers, for example, for cutting wood.

Lack of transport, minimal shelter, better suited to ranching

One deterrent to settlement was the lack of railroads to carry settlers in and crops out.  Hennessey, Kingfisher and El Reno were the nearest stations.  Around Taloga, many settlers lived in dugouts.  Within a dugout, one had to compete with snakes, scorpions and centipedes.  Water was scarce and often “gyppy” and many settlers had to haul water in wagons.  Many families were ill-equipped to farm and as a result, hunger became an issue for many families.  Newspapers and rumor propagated the potential threat of Indian violence against settlers.  Native Americans rightly obtained the best land.  Consequently, many settlers relinquished their claims. 

Native American resistance

On the other hand, many native Americans resented the whole process and resisted allotments, loss of grass prairie with farming, and forced assimilation.

Despite this slow beginning, within ten years this third run succeeded in populating the area.  This mix of raw pioneering welcomed the Fergusons in Watonga only six months after the opening.