Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1889-04-16

The original Oklahoma OF Whicn the people
have heard so much is only small part OF
tho future territory OF Oklahoma It con-
tains only i,SS7, 800 acres OF land, while tho
new territory will aggregate %, 2cS, 40 ncres
To show where the original Oklahoma lies, as
well Gs tho bounds Of the now territory, a
map is presented. 1t Is really n map of the
Indian territory and No MINIS Land together.
Oklahoma proper, us the boomers call 1t, lies
very near the center OF the territory. The
new territory will embrace tho western half
OF the Indian territory, and include No ManS
Land, with an area OF 3,GT2, $40 acres, as well.
A glance at tho map, as printed, will givo a
good idea Of the location Of tho new territory.
Because great part Of tho land OF the new
territory is held by Indians whose titlo Is be-
yond dispute, and because another part Is
held by tho Indians, although claimed by
thousands Of Americans as public land, with
a clear title vested in tho United States an
abstract of title Of these lands ought to be
made In order that the reader may judge OF
tho case
The land about which there Is an Indian
dispute is the tract called Oklahoma proper,
together with tho Cherokee outlet, tho bounds
OF which are shown III the map Since Okla
homa proper was tho part over which tho
dispute first arose its story may first DO told
Having been part OF tho Louisiana pur-
chase tho title TO the land was unquestionably
vested after the purchase in the United States,
and so remained until tho United States re-
llnquished its title. BY the act Of congress Of
May %, 1880 tho United States began to re-
linquish this title.
Nobody doubts that tho land ut that time
l., h., ~ trfi
II so remained without dispute until Aug Z,
1850. On this day treaty was concluded
with tho Creeks by which "they conveyed
these lands dncluding, of course, Oklahoma
proper to the Seminoles, provided, howevcr,
that the same should not DO sold or otherwise
disposed Of without tho consent of both
tribes legally givon.n Thereafter tho land
may be said to have been held In partnership
by both tribes. 1t so remained undisputed
until 1896
Tho reason for tho treaty madc ip 1850 Is
unimportant Tho motives behind the trea-
ties OF 1860 are interesting. The treaties were
made during tho booming days just after tho
war.
On March 81, 1896, tho Seminolcs made q
treaty, in tho third article of which Is the
followin, language;
"ln compliance with desire Of the United
States to locate other Indians and freedmen
thereon, the Seninoles cedo and convey to
tho United States their entire domain"
Their entire domain included, of course,
what Is now called Oklahoma proper, besides
q lot more to the east thereof.
The statement that tho treaty was made In
compliance with tho desire OF tho United
States to locate other Indians and freedmen
on tho territory cetled was n deliberate lie.
Il was deliberate attempt to obtain prop
esty by false pretensc. Within four months
after tho conclusion Of the purchase by tho
United States--that Is, on July 25-n bill was
literally railroadod through congress by
which tho Atlantic and Pacific railroad was
granted right of way through tho land 50
purchased, and every odd numbered section
OF land for forty miles on each side Of the
railroad. was given 70 tho company Tho