Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-08-06
KICKING INDIANS.
Pottawatomies Dissatisfied with
the Sale of Their Lands.
OPEN REBELLION THREATENED.
The Aliotting Agents Have Given them the
Worst Lands in All the Territory,
and the Cash Payment Has
Not Been Made.
Their Grievances.
hci VII
Special to the Gazette.

Special to the Gazette.
OKLAHOMA, ]. T., August 4.-There is no
little growing being done by the Pottawat-
Omie Indians over various matters con-
| nected with the sale of their lands to the
government, which threatens to break out
into open rebellion if something is not done
in the way of redressing their alleged
grievances. II the stories they tell are cor
rect in detail, the United States govern
ment is responsible for Us big lot OF down
right rascality as was ever perpetrated
upon an ignorant and unlettered people.
John Clinton, an Indian who stands forth
prominent in the PottawatOmie council, is
now in the city seeking legal advice to an
uul or change tine work performed by the
alloting agent. Clinton is an educated
Indian, and for years acted as
MISSIONARY IN HIS TRIBE.
Notwithstanding his holy calling. his black
eyes burn with fierce fire and the work
iHgs of his face betray the reSentful nature
of his Indian blood. Recruiting the story
of the alleged wrong done toward his peo
pie he grows particularly bitter when
speaking of the arrogance and dictatOrial
manner assumed by the allOting agent. \.
<. Porter, who was sent here from Ne
braska to perform the work. 1t is claimed
in allotting the lands among the Indians
Porter assigned them to the country lying
south of the Little Rock river without Civ
ing the Indians any voice or selection what
ever in the matter. The land IS notori-
ouslN
UNFIT FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES,
being composed principally of sand hills of
rocky soil. The Indians desired their lands
in the Canadian Valley, but they were az
rogantly informed by Agent Porter that
they We're to have 10 choice, but must take
what they We're given and say nothing. In
q number OF instances it is charged that
the Indians were obliged TO give up farms
which they had cultivated for years, and
upon which valuable improvements had
been made and We're to take an allotment
on the poor lands south of the Little Rock
river.
The Indian occupants of the White Tur-
key ranch, the most valuable ranch in the
Pottawatomie country, appealed 10 the
commissioner Of Indian affairs and received
L letter in reply. which stated that the
treaty stipulated that the Indians could Sc
lect
WHERE THEY SHOULD TAKE THEIR LAND.
This letter was shown agent Porter. but il
did not cause any change in his policy. 1t
* freely asserted that the best lands in the
Pottawatomie country. as well as in the
Sac and Fox country, have been reserved
by the allotting agents for their especial
friends i'll Kansas. and plattS and markings
have been drawn, showing just where the
choicest lands are situated
Another cause of complaint is the with
eminent Under the terms of the treaty
made with the Indians Il year ago last May,
in order 10 gain their conSen. to the rein
punishment of their surplus lands. they were
promised $1,000 in cash 10 be paid within
4 specified time. The period in which the
money payment was 70 have been made ex-
pircd July 3 and the cash still rem aims
~ tn. NATIONAL TRASURY.
Commissioner Morgan insists the govern
mcnt can elect whatever amount is to he
paid in cash or in stores and farming irnple-
ments, but the Indians Indignantly reject
this assumption on the part Of the Indian
commissioner and insist that they will have
nothing bur the cash
Be that is it may, the pottawattumieS
now claim that inasmuch rs the govern
mcnt has failed to pay the money within
the time specified the entire treaty is ahro-
gated, and on August II they will hold
grand council at Bill Grieffenstein's ranch.
when positive action will be taken \
prominent firm of attorneys of this city
have taken hold of the matter. and there
promises TO be some rich and sensational
developments regarding the rascally work
that is going on in the Indian country