The Great Land Run of Oklahoma
The Great Land Run of Oklahoma commenced at twelve o’clock noon on September 16, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and ninety three. More than one hundred thousand people poured across the border that day into what is known as the Cherokee Strip. It is the stuff of which great movies are made. While this is the stuff of epic stories, the reality of life on the prairie is was far less spectacular and romantic.
Most settlers who migrated to Oklahoma after the land runs, such as those from Perry County, slowly filtered into the area, looking over fields and lands carefully and only then deciding where to live permanently and purchasing homesteads. They had a good eye for land.
Many of these individuals and families were first generation immigrants. They came to these United States, most of them stopping elsewhere first before coming to Oklahoma. People went either to where they had family and relations, or else boldly came to settle as strangers in a strange land. Opportunities for land abounded in the expanding west and brave families answered the call [1].
Why Migrate from Perry County, Missouri?
What enticed Perry County, Missouri residents to migrate to Oklahoma? Basically farmland in Missouri was no longer available at what was considered reasonable prices. A description of how the John Rauh, Jr family planned and executed their move from Perry County, Missouri to Alva, Oklahoma is provided by Charles Rauh:
“News was coming back from Oklahoma of land that could be purchased at reasonable prices ($20-$25 per acre). The land was the northern part of the Oklahoma Territory near the Cherokee Strip. Also, there was a settlement of farmers of German heritage in that area. Some were from Perry County, Missouri. … John Jr. also heard the Hackers, Kirmses, and Kruegers speak of wheat farming in Oklahoma. A place called Alva. … John Jr. was not a man simply to sell out, load the belongings, travel west, and dare the future. The risk of a move to Oklahoma needed to be minimized. It was decided that Martin Rauh would travel to Alva, Oklahoma, find work, and search for an available farm. He had just married Emma Hacker in October 1901. In November, they left by train for the Oklahoma Territory. (At this time, Oklahoma was not yet a state.) Martin stayed at the Pribble Hotel and worked at Meixmer Bakery. . … In the evenings and weekends, Martin would travel the area with a shovel and test the soil. On occasion, he would be accompanied by a land agent. His objective to find fertile ground adjacent to ground that had the potential to be purchased (in order for the brothers to have adjoining farms and thereby farm together) … Word was sent back to Friedenberg that there was an opportunity that fit the objective. In March of 1902, John Rauh Jr. and Alvin traveled to Alva, Oklahoma. … We know nothing of the trip nor any negotiations. We assume that a verbal agreement was reached. John Jr. returned to Missouri to make arrangements for the move west.”[2]
Notes
- Zion Lutheran Church – Alva, Oklahoma 100 year celebration book “Zion Lutheran Church 1899-1999 Alva, OK”.
- Charles Rauh, Rauh: Our Great Heritage 2007.p 190. See Also The Oklahoma Pioneers p198 Woods County and Alva, Oklahoma p.204 The Final Straw or Stay the Course p. 206
