Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-05-25
RATIFIED.
The Sale of the Cherokee Strip
Concluded.
DELEGATES SIGN WITH SMITH.
scbemers stIu Attempting to Prevent an
Early opening-Possible Bloodshed
In the Cherokee Nation
Proper.

WASHINGTON, May 1s.-A distinct
step forward toward the opening of the
Cherokee strip to settlement was taken
yesterday afternoon, when Secretary
1Ioke Smith, on the part Of the United
States, and Chief Harris and the other
delegates, on the part of the Cherokee
nation, affixed their signatures to the
contract which ratifes the cession of
the strip TO the United States The
exact number of acres coded is q, 022, 1854.
Secretary Smith said that he hoped,
by expediting In every possible way
the preparation for the opening of the
strip, to have everything in readiness
for the presidents proclamation on
September 10, but there are few who
have given the situation careful study
who think the strip can be opened that
soon and indeed there are not wanting
those who fully believe that the tactics
of delay being used so successfully by
the schemers who are looking for a
chance to line their pockets in the deal
will prevent the opening until next
spring.
1t was o'clock when Chief Harris,
Treasurer Starr, Maj Lipe and J. II.
Cunningham met by appointment at
the Office of Secretary Smith, and with
little delay the contract was signed.
All the legislative proceedings with
relation to the opening of the strip are
set out ut length. 1t is agreed that the
1895 payment of sl,66O,O0O shall be
withheld to wait the adjudication of
the claims of Delaware and Shawnee
Indians and freedmen. The Cherokee
nation is to issue bonds for the remain
ing four annual payments in the same
sum and the United States to guarantee
the payment of principal and interest
at per cent.
THAT EXPECTED RUPTURE.
TAmEQUAH, |. r., May 1S.-The ex-
pected rupture in the ranks of the
straight-blooded CherolSees and So
called adopted citizens over the pay
ment of the strip money has occurred,
and no one here will be surprised IL
blood Is shed in the final elimination
of the fcud. The trouble first origin
ated at the recent special session of the
Cherokee legislature, when what is
known as the blood bill was enacted
This blood bill provided for the pay
lltllb VI WV nNilP w
by blood only, excluding entirely from
! participation in the proceeds the whites,
| Dclawares. Shawnees and negroes.
| According to recent events, the white
citizens think they see in the move
ments of the Indians an attempt to not
only beat them out of the strip money,
but their lands and homes also. The
| plan of the Cherolees, as evidently
mapped out, is to work the strip pay
ment through successfully before the
whites and other adopted citizens have
an opportunity TO go into the Courts
with the matter, create an act of the
legislature allotting the entire Cherokee
country to Indians by blood only.
1t is doubtful whether the
United States would sanction such
Il course, yet the treaty OF
1866 provides for allotment at any time
upon the request of the Indians. The
CherolSccs, however, knowing that allot
mcnt and statehood must come sooI
after the strip money is paid out, have
become more defiant and desperate ant
would not hesitate TO resort to the mos
extreme policy in order TO carry on
their present programme and maxi
paupers of the adopted citizens. Tit
whites, II must be said, have proven
themselves equal TO the occasion, an'
from now on propose to make it ex
ceedingly warm for the Chero<ees