The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1881-10-04

especially among the Cherokees, who
suppose are, perhaps on that ac-
count, IN some respects little more
civilized than the other. tribes, with
the exception of the Choctaws and
some Of the Greeks. The full bloods
are never found living in the towns,
but always on some stream. away
from the settlements; and beyond
raising a patch Of corn, never do any
work unless hunting and fishing may
be called such.
The cattle raising and farming is
done almost entirely by half-bloods,
and the .'white" Indians, /. c. whto
men who have Indian wives.
The land is all held in common,
every one cultivatihg as much as lie
wishes to, leaving the remainder for
common pastures. No outsider is al
lowed to hold land unless ho mar
ries All Indian woman; nor can he ,lv
any work in the Territory without a
permit, which costs one dollar por
\ month e-'
| Strangers are looked upon with
suspicion, as u general thing, FROM
the fact that the Territory is full Of
detectives and US Deputy Marshals.
And these same Marshals are, from all
accounts, as class, the most worth
less set Of scoundrels unhung. In
stead of endeavoring to further the
aims Of the law, they SOW disscnsion
among the Indians, or tempt them
with whisky, then arrest the poor
tools and either carry them TO Ft.
Smith, to be tried at U. s. Court, or,
upon receipt Of large bribc, tnrn
them loose with the admonition to
keep their mouths shut" Can we
wonder that the Indians arc suspicious
Of white men?
The soil Of the Territory is very
fertile as general thing; the climate
is delightful, since there is a steady
breeze nearly all the time during the
hot months; and a more beautiful
country. God never made.
At Vinita, G. N. terminus of St..
Louis and S. F. r. R. as far as the
eye can reach, on every side, is seen
the wide rolling prairie with its COW
ering of dark, green succulent grass,
inlersperscd;, especially along the
water courses, with growth Of rath-
er small timber; in all it is picture
calculated to make even a. Woodford
county farmer covctous. This country
has been secured to the Indians by re-
peated treaties, but i suppose our
honorable Legislators will eventually
make a state Of 1t, as few Of them have
courage enough to sustain the pres
sure brought to bear by persons who
are continually agitating the subject;
there is however, at present only a
small party in the Territory, who are
in favor Of the "Free State of Okla
hama" 1t would certainly be great
shsme, nay, a disgrace. to break faith
with the Indians, but If it is to be
done. ! would like to be on tine spot
in time to choose five hundred acres
on "Cabin Creek" "a short distance
from Vinita.
There are several mineral Springs
in the Territory; some in the Choc-
taw Nation quito celebrated. at last
among the Texans, for their curative
properties.
Goal is abundant, especially in the
| Greek Nation, where mines are being
worked all the time.
| The whole country is well watered
4 by tributaries Of the Red and Arkan'
sas rivers, thus giving it great ad
vantage over many Of the western
States.
we who are proud (?) Of our quiet
lawabiding fellow citizens OF Ken
lucky, think Of the Indians as in on,
continual state of turmoil; and thai
shooting aud cntting are every day
occurrences. Nothing is farther from
the truth. No whisky is allowed, ant
the laws are enforced by sheriifs am
deputies. as well as mounted police
About all the desperadoes have eithe
been killed, run off, or given som
, office. This latter unique way o
: dealing with them has proven an en-
tire success. Perhaps it would be
good plan for some Of our counties
what do you think, Mr. Editor? Yo
know the old saying, "sct a thief t
catch thief" AS case in instance
A few years ago the present Sheriff o
, the Cherokee Nation, murdered
. man in Vinita, made his escpae an
. defed the law. Several times partie
I. attempted to capture him, only 10 b
s beaten off "with loss (" as the arm
!, reports have it, AT last one dn
. while riding boldly into Vinita, b
!, was attacked bya posse, his "needl
gun" refusedto work, and he was car
9 tured aiter'a desperate resistance. Il
: had warned all the witnesses to leav
, the company, which they did, and a
. no one appeared against him he wa
Q acquitted, elected Sheriff, and is tn
{ best one they ever had The terror
= evil doers, firm pillar Of the law.
;. have already written more than
: = intended, and will only add that galr
8 is very plentiful.
Q Respectfully.
III. b, =,