Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1885-07-02
rHn nLAuK roX

tda) constitution Our GiriC--
Arkansas Giris.
Black Fox, a citizcn Of this ma.
ton, occasionly writes from Web
ber's Falls letter full Of interest
and information to the Atlanta
Constitution The following is the
substance Of his last letter to that
paper;
"Since writing little sketch for
your paper, l the noble rod-man,
havo received several letters max
ing inquiry with regard to this
country, which I have answered
privately, but by permission will
give through your columns some
general information to readers Of
the Constitution, that may bo anx-
ious TO know more Of the Indians.
"The Cherokee nation proper
consists of nine districts, OF coun-
ties, exclusive of our outlet, west
ofthe 96th meridian. Each dis
trict is entitled to two senators and
representations according to popu-
lation Of district. The national
council consists of ffty-eight men,
bers, forty councillors and eighteen
senators. Our Legislature meets
the first Monday in November Of
each year at the town Of Table
quah, the capital of the nation
the regular term of the council is
thirty working days, but the Chief
is empowered TO call an extra ses-
sion If necessary. We have one
hundred neighborhood or day
schools which are run by the ma
tion. We have an invested fund in
United States registered stocks,
which gives us annually an annuity
of about $4,000 or s150,0O0.
Thirty-fve per cent. of this annuity
is applied to educational and
school purposes, Is per cent TO the
orphan funds, and so per cent. for
general purposes, including salar-
les of officers. We have two high
schools situated near the capital,
male and female seminaries, with
a capacity for 200 students each.
We also have an orphan asylum of
Ike dimensions, also blind and
insane asylum.
"The staple productions Of the
country are corn, wheat, oats, cot
ton and potatoes. The general oc-
cupation is farming and stock rails
ing. 1t is fine graising country
being thinly settled and mostly
prairie.
"Oprlaws require OF evoy citizen
Of his nation vino may wish to
hi-e & non-citizen or white man to
FIRST obtain permit, which cost
one dollar month. There are 4
great many whites in the nation
who follow farming altogether, as
our laws prohibit them from rails
ing stock in our territory as q bJsi-
ness. They are allowed Ave mich I
COWS and what stock they may |
need for farming purposes. II .
white man wishes 10 marry one oil
our citizens, the first thing he has !
TO do is 20 find some foolish girl |
that will have him. Then he has |
10 be recommended by ten citizens |
by blood who has known him six |
months ~ being Of good, moral
character. then make application
to the clerk of the district for H. |
cense, paying the clerk five dollars /
for Issuing the license, and five for
the nation. ! tell You our girls
are worth something. Ten dollars
is the average price Of a yearlinR in
this country. But ] must sing easy
with regard 10 the ladies; there are
a great many ArkanHas gals in
this country, and I have had to
run the gauntlet since the issue Of
May the IL tn, since my article
reached these parts, and l tell you
a kick from one of those No. 7 or SIS
is no laughing matter and 1 have
had to have my head shaved and
sandpapered.
81 will now tell you something
ot the country in this immediate
vicinity. Webber's Falls bottom
Is from three TO five miles wide
and about ten or twelve in length.
Falls is a nice little viii
age situated on the west bank Of
Inc Arkansas river, containing five
average dry good stores, one drug
store, court house, two framed
,hurches-Baptist and Methodist,
Two hotels, two blacksmith shops,
one large grist and saw mill, with
gin attached. 1t is surrounded by
rich and fertile farms. Our facili-
lies for transportations are by boat,
The Border City, a new boat built
for this trade. tits call