The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-03-04

understood that Cowen was using MS
office for the furtherance of crooked
speculations in which he and his friends
bad pecuniary intere't. 1t will be
that some time ago there
was sale of lands known as the Cher
okee strip. a contract was made for the
sale of this strip with so much crookedness
in the transaction that the department
CAUSED 1T TO BE CANCELLED.
This sale wat effected it is said, by B. K.
Cowen, acting secretary in the absence OF
his chief But prior to this and running
through series of years, there has been
another transaction which has not and
will no: end favoraSly tor the parties IN
interest. The eastern band of North
Carolina Cherokees owned their land in
Zee, purchased with gold certificates re-
ceived in payment for services in the
old revolutionary war. Both the United
States and the State used all sorts OF
devices and force to getthem out. Under
the treaty OF 1885, which they refused TO
sign, the government appointed var
ious agents, among WHOM are W. IL.
Thomas, Silas H. SHETLAND, and James
w. Ferriil. These men set about gen
eral swindle in lands and money. Inc
State sold their lands uniswiuiiy.
Thomas bought them in for the Indians
in his own name, with their own money.
Shetland conspired with one Gen. james
G. Blunt, and, on fraudulent pretenses,
collected !ron 20 TO % per cent OF the
funds belongin. to the Indians. Under
pretcuse OF great services pertormed-in
procuring this money from the govern
ment, when no services We're necessary
and none whatsoever rendered, So, 600
were taken by these men.
CowEN WAS FULLY ADVISED
of this robbery. and H.. only protected
but indorscd Blunt Il 7nencially re>pon-
.ible, being worth, u: IL :,.c@eI, 600
GOO whereas it is said he does no. own a
dollar in his gn name that the law can
reach Judgment has been obtained
against them for this money, but no
property can be found. Congress re-
Gently passed q law authorizing the pro'-
ecution Of these men, and furnished
money for tue same. Parker set the law
at defiance and refused copies of the
records necessary - the suits, and after
ward. when the Indians commenced suits
IN their own right, Cowen refused the
proofs, and held Oh to them uatIl the
oiIeuses OF Biult and Su-t.aad became
outlawed. .Ts=a:.
BLUNT WAS INDICTED,
convicted, and Imprisoned one month, and
escaped by plea Of ou.lawry made by
Matt Carpenter. In the suits for lands
S2yUCGO were recovered, which was so
much saved toihe Government. Pending
the trial and since, the department, in
connection with Blunt and MS friends,
have done al in their power TO defeat
the award of the court, and by this means
to compel the IndiGns to accept the
alleged contract of Blunt, VINO will claim
- per cent OF the proceeds Of the suits
brought. maintained, and gained in the
very teeth o; their conspiracy, as well rs
the san c interest in other suits brought
in Tie same way and involving large
sums. Should the conspirators succeed,
General Diunt, Carpenter, and LoyG Il
Nylch, renegade lrdIan wao has been
brlbad. will share the swag. At least this
combination was developed before the
Indian commission lat week. Whit
Governs snale was does not appear IT
seems uuTe lsouabl", however, 70 suppose
that an officer would be guilty of all these
ohcnscs above mentioned and not have q
rccuuigry interest in them. The state
menL US above given was submitted 70
the President Yesterday.