Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1888-06-28
II DEFY THB CHEROKEE Ma
TION TO LBrTO ANYBODY
BUT US"

TION TO LET TO ANYBODY
BUT U.s."
This is what q member Of the
Cherokee Strip Live Stock assoei-
alton said to a gentleman who ap-
preached him on the subject of
leasing the strip lands. This in
oarnation cyclone and thunder,
who seems to believe that he and
his company have the Cherokee
nation by the throat, further said:
"We have combined together and
will not move our cattle, nor take
n subleasc from anyone leasing
from the Cherokee nation, and
shall burn the pastures, if we are
compelled TO move, and destroy
the fences, and make it so hot for
them that they will be compelled
to relinquish it even if they do
take it which don't think thoy
will"
The lease Of the strip lands for
grazing has brought tho Cherokee
nation half million Of dollars in
the last five years. This is a con-
siderable amount and strikes the
Imagination with considerable
force, if not compared with the
100000 acres OF land, worth
twelve or fift cen million dollars,
for the use Of which the half mill
ion of dollars has been paid in
i've years. This sum dwiudles
into small proportions when thus
considered and appears as an in
situation that cheap bargains are
possible with the Cherokecs and
that they are easily satisfied.
1t may be asserted that the
amount so far received, contracted
for at the time it was, is about all
that could be reasonably expected,
and that the company who paid it
have been fair and honorable with
the Cherokee nation. But how
does the fair and honorable COM
pare with the quotation at the
head of this article or with the
threats TO burn the grass, destroy
the fences and make things too hot
for any other party who may Sc
cure the country for grazing pur-
poses -? If only bluff, their game
nnos 10 nroYe what might be the
To deter others from entering into
competition with them these
threats may be made, but there is
enough in them which norhans
only lack the power to execute,
to deter the Cherokee nation from
permitting them TO occupy that
country any longer than tho term
Of their lease. To a company who
are desperate enough to make
such threats no inducement Of
theirs should be sufficient TO enti.
tle them TO further occupancy of
That country. Their hold OF those |
Iands, though restricted to the
grazing of cattle, will ever be q |
menace TO the peace Of the nation. |
Their conduct for several years
past goes TO prove this. To con-
inue in possession Of the country |
here is no telling to what ex-
remes they will go, caring moth
ng for results as far as the Chero.
zee people are concerned, Just so
hey accomplish their purposes.
'urn the grass, destror the fences
things hot for others who
1ay lease are no expressions of
~. ..dshiP for the Cherokee peo.
'le or their interests. They are
hose of threatened danger and Of
nemies Of the nation. The ques-
ion is, shall they remain in a po-
ition to be dangerous to our peace
nd prosperity2 Their growing
rrogance is proof what they will
C, and safely dictates a riddance
# Them.
Why is it they make such 4
lreats ? This is easily answered.
hey wish to continue in posses I
on Of the country at as little OK {
ense as possible. They have
ad good thing of it, and they
e determined to hold it.
Thore is safety in getting the {
ighest market value for the graz +
g on those lands, because sur. .
nder Of them at specified time Il
III be easier on account of the rel 81
i've smallness Of advantages to .
, surrendered likewise. The q.
'ntrary may be expected when s
lmense profits are realized at a C
mparaIively small outlay. 1t is p.
rider to give up a good thing than u
% that is not. Therefore, ,ifnot for q y
0 amount to be received, safety
ould be the leading considera- X
N in disposiing OF our western II
Ids for the purpose of revenue. ~
Because of noeaihla 1im.,.i.: