The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-10-07
THE STRIP SCANDAL.
Evidence that Bribery and Outrages
Were Freely Committed.


q WASHINGTON, Oct. 6.-The House COM
mittee on public lands held a special meet
ing to hear Mr. Hudson, Pop, of Kansas
upon the resolution he had introduced ask
ing that a committee investigate the
charges against the civil and military au-
thorities for alleged outrages in the open
ing of the Cherokee outlet. Commissioner
LamoreuX, of the General Land Office,
and Chief Clerk Jacobs, the latter being
one of the officers sent by Secretary Smith
to assist III the opening, were interested
listeners. Mr.. Hudson said he knew from
reliable authority that persons had been
allowed to enter the lands opened from the
east side, getting an advantage over other
intending settlers. He asserted that he did
not believe that the Interior Department
was in any way responsible for the
troubles, but certain men were RESPONSE
bic, and liz due to the department
that an investigation be had He said he
had proof that John r. Hill, of New Jer-
sey, was killed by soldiers under orders
of Lieutenant Caldwell He read letter
from Rev. Delong, pastor of the Congre-
sational Church, of Arkansas City, Kan,
stating that Lieutenant Caldwell gave per-
mission to about a thousand people on
the south side of the Strip to enter some
time before the time set: He read news
paper articles, in which charges were
made of the sale and purchase of registry
receipts, with the knowledge and conni-
vance or the officials.
Chairman McRae asked for names, and
Mr.. Hudson replied that the charges were
mostly of a general nature. Chairman Nc
Rae said the committee was ready to in
vestigate If there is anything tangible
Commissioner IamoreuX entered into the
discussion, answering some questions. No
person had authority to charge fees for
registering certificates, and the Commits
siOner wanted to know If any employe OF
the department took a fee.
Delegate Flynn, of Oklahoma, was then
heard. he said that the Cherokee strip
was under the jurisdiction of Oklahoma,
and the sheriffs should have had charge of
preserving the peace, instead of the mill
tary. end, in sending the troops there, the
the letters received by Mr.. Flynn was one
from William A. Stone, son of the ex-
Commissioners of the General Land Office,
and eX-delegate Harvey. He also stated
that n Washington correspondent told him
Flynn) that he had paid to register. Dele
gate Flynn continued to read letters charg-
ing the officers with fraud.
Chairman McRae stated that Mr.. Flynn'S
letters made many charges against Secre-
tary Smith, the Land Office and the DEM
ocratic party, yet there was nothing spe-
cihc.
Commissioner Lamoreux said that there
never was an order allowing the people 10
go in over Indian lands adjoining. He said
there not one sooner" at this time,
when there were five hundred at the preYi-
Gus Oklahoma opening. He acknowledged
that there We're great many schemes and
frauds. but he had not been able 10 trace
any of the frauds to any of the clerks he
had sent down there and as Commissioner
ne courted the fullest Investigation. The
committee decided 10 meet Monday morn
ing TO consider the question as TO whether
or not an investigation was necessary.