Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-15

easement or a fee simple In this compli-
cation Congress created a commission
known as the Cherokee commission. Of
which Gen. Lucius Fairchild Of Wisconsin
was the first chairman. to negotiate for the
cession of these and other lands In the In
dian territory. The Cherokees were unwill-
ing to negotiate for cession, preferring to
derive a revenue from the use OF the out
let lands for grazing purposes.
Certain cattle and land syndicates, beiiev-
ing that the Cherokees had a fee simple
to the outlet lands, offered $l5.0W.V0 70 pur-
chase the strip lands, then aScertained 10
compromise S,g22 75i.u acres. They discov-
cred, however, that the Indians could not
convey title, and that the government was
disposed to seize the outlet. open 1t to settle
ment, and leave the matter Of proper COM
pensation to Congress. The public domain
open to settlement had become very much
restricted, and boomers were gathering
in large numbers on the borders Of Kansas,
Missouri and Arkansas. eager to settle on
the strip. So persistent were these settlers
that the military forces were constantly
employed in etecting them, with the result
came evident that bloodshed would ensue
unless some immediate action or relief were
had.
Finally the Cherokee commission. in De-
cember, 1881, negotiated an agreement with
the Cherokee nation for transfer of its title
to the outlet lands. the Cherokees hndmg
themselves unable to resist the pressure
Of the settlers and the demand Of public
voted to civilization. such as rapidly fol-
lowed the opening Of Oklahoma territory.
This agreement was submitted TO congress-
and certain amendments provided. which
necessarily required the concurrent action
of the Cherokee council. Accordingly. the
Indian appropriation bill approved March
3. 1S92 contained the legislation necessary
to fulfill the agreements Tor the cession:
cay the Cherokees the amounts agreed
upon. and open the lands to public settle
ment after certain preiiminaries should be
observed. in accordance with the terms OF
the act Of May q 1880 proyiding Tempo
rary government for the territory Of Okla
homa- The act also provided for opening to
settlement the surplus lands not allotted to
Indians in severalty Of the Tonkawa and
Pawnee reservations adjoining the strip, 50
that all the coded lands are now embraced
within the jurisdiction Of Oklahoma terri
tory. The sum paid or to be paid the Cher
okees Is a total OF ss.5s5.73S but Of this
amount the Cherokees are required to pay
$50 900 for the appraised value Of improve
ments OF intruders on the Cherokee lands
proper. who are to be removed. In addition,
about 81. 6000O is reserved to pay the Della
ware and Shawnee Indians and the freed
men of the Cherokee nation. or their heirs
or representatives. whatever amount the
courts shall find due them from the Chero-
KEGS under existing laws or treaties.
All the lands vary In fertility and value.
They are divided into three classes Those
east Of the parallel Of 30 are subject to
entry under the homestead laws at 81.
per acre; those east of $3.50 at $3.50 per
acre. and those west of 9S. 30 at 81 per acre.
The strip Is divided into counties of nearly
equal area. with county seats established
and due reservations made therefor. Pro-
vision Is had under the general law for
town sites. Sections 16 and So in each
township are reserved for school purposes.
and the President IL authorized to make
such other reservations as he may deem
proper to be included within the terms of
his proclamation opening the outlet to pub
lie settlement.
In view of the great pressure for further
opening other lands Of the Indian territory
to settlement Congress created commits
sion of three persons to negotiate with the
five civilized tribes to take lands in sew
crafty, now held in common. and purchase
the residue. This commission has not yet
been appointed The annual salary of
these commissioners Is 5000 each and $o0.-
900 Is appropriated for the purpose. This Is
probably the most important Indian COM
mission ever authorized. since upon the
success of it's efforts depends the restora-
ton to the public domain Of an empire rich
In agricultural and mineral products The
Ave civilized tribes are indisposed to yield
their autonomies and become citizens OF
the United States. but In time they must
come to that complexion. since the present
abhorrent separate empire OF the Indian
territory cannot be much longer main
tanned
A telegram received at the Interior De
partment today from officers OF the gen.
eral land office now In the Cherokee outlet
says that reports from all the booths show
night Additional clerks have been put on
duty at Arkansas City. and the office will
be kept open day and night as long IS nee
esssary to accommodate the crowd.