Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1885-09-10

The enclosures of your letter
are herewith returned.
Very respectfully,
II. L. MULDRow,
Acting Secretary.
DErAnrNnSr OF ,IHE IsrrmoU,. orEioE or Is
John @. Tufts, Esq, United
States Indian Agent, Union Agency
Muskogee, Indian Territory, SrR:--
Referring to Office letter TO you o.
the Sd ultimo directing a suspen.
sion for the order of removal o.
unauthorized persons and property
from the right-of-way and station
grounds of the Missouri, Kansas 4
Texas railway in the Indian Ter
ritory until the first day of October
next; also to office letter TO you o.
the 18th ultimo on the same sub
ject, and your reply thereto of the
Dist ultimo, and in accordance
with instructions contained in de.
partment letter 10 this office of the
18th instant copy herewith in
closed). You are hereby directed
to take all necessary measures foi
the enforcement Of the order ioi
removal, on the first day of Octo'
Der next, of all persons from the
right-of-way and station grounds
occupied by the Missouri, Kansas
& Texas railway in the Indian
Territory, as defined on the several
maps and plats OF location thereof
approved by the department except
in the following cases, viz;
1. Persons who can establish tC
your satisfaction o lawful claim oi
occupancy prior to the date oi
acceptance and approval by the
department of said maps and plats
of location.
2. Officers and employees Of the
railway company duly authorized
and recognized as such.
3. Persons who have heretofore
made improvements on the right
of-way or station grounds, by
permission of the railway com.
pany-which permission shall be
clearly established to your satis-
faction.
The department considers that
should the removal of this class be
insisted on, they should be reim'
bursed by the company the
reasonable value of such improve.
ments or be compensated fol
expenses incurred in the removal
of the same.
II is desirable that the enforce.
ment of the order for removal
be attended with as little friction
as possible, and it lis hoped that all
persons affected mot coming within
the excepted classes) will see the
necessity for a prompt voluntary
compliance Herewith.
The dates of acceptance by the
department of the several maps oi
the right-of-way through tie Indian
Territory will be found in office
letter to you of August II, 1884
and for your further guidance in
the adjustment of disputed cases
| have had prepared and herewith
enclose a descriptive schedule Of
the different station grounds, show
ing date of approval and acceptance
of plats thereof by the department.
Copies of the plat are already in
your possession.
In accordance with the instruc-
tions contained in the concluding
paragraph of the acting secretary s
letter, this office will notify the
railway company that it must
hereafter use the land acquired for
right-of-way and station grounds,
strictly for the purposes Of the
grant; that it will not be allowed
to give to anyone not in its employ
permission TO build or remain on
the right-of.way or station grounds
for merchandising, hotel or saloon.
keeping, or any other purpose;
that the employees of the company
having necessary occupancy, will
also be prohibited from selling any
improvements they may have
made, except to other employees OF
said company, and that the inter
course laws will be rigidly enforced
along the entire line.
The United States Indian agent
for the time being will promptly
report any infraction of these
regulations.
You will acknowledge the receipt
hereof and report your further
action in the premises.
Very respectfully,
j. d. G. ATKINS,
Commissioner.