Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-10-11
INDIANS IN The MINORITY
OTHER RACES oUTNUMBER
THE CIVILIZED TRIBES.
Out of a Total Population of 17e,-
oe7 in the Indian Territory the
Number OF Red Men is Only
5o,o55- An Interesting Bulletin
From the Census once.
The Republic Bureau,
penna Ave. and llth ST

lZeu tTlOeS. me lull uOcumenJ
relating to the indians, which will
be sent out later, will contain more
valuable information collected by
the government. Speaking especi-
ally of the Indian country, the
bulletin says:
Each of the FIVE tribes takes
census very often; some every five
years, some oftener. The peculiar
method of government in the ma
tons whereby the authorities at
the several capitals are kept ad-
vised by the Light Horse (police)
Of town, county or district authori.
ties Of changes, enables them to
keep fairly authentic lists of the
population. This is done chiefly
for the purpose Of resisting the
claims of persons desiring to be
known as citizens of the tribes and
participants in land divisions and
the money to be divided between
these Indians on account of sales
Of surplus lands. Such records as
matters of proof will be invaluable
in the future. as they will fix the
date of settlement of many claim
ants.
The enumerators of the five civ
ilized tribes in the Indian Terri
tory for the United States census
were mostly Indians, appointed on
the recommendations of the gov.
ernors or principal chiefs, but some
changes were made, and almost all
were changed in one OF the tribes
tor reasons. Four special agents
were sent to the Indian Territory
to supervise the work by an agree
ment with the governors or their
representatives,. The wisdom of
this policy was apparent when the
peculiar nature OF Indian political
conditions became known.
Much opposition was shown to
the census. The Creek and Semi
mole authorities aided it, however,
by legislative action. They urged
the residents to give information
to the enumerators, but meetings
were held to resist them. Under
the circumstance it was decided
to ask as few questions as possible,
and to get as a rule the general
statistics of population. 1t was
found difficult to obtain other
statistics. The four special agents
in charge visited the nations and
their reports give their observa-
tions in detail. The unsettled
condition Of the Indian Territory
and the constant clashing between
the whites, called intruders, and
the Indians, or their authorities,
producsd prejudice against the
census, which was hard to over
come. The citizens of the five
tribes watch with n jealous eye
each movement Of the United
States or its agents as questions of
vast moment are pending. This
made them chary of answering
questions proposed by the enumer-
ators or special agents.
DIFFICULT TO ENUMERATE.
A serious difficulty was met In
the answer to "Are you an In.
dian?" Under the laws of the five
tribes or nations of the Indian Ter
ritory, a person white in color and
features is frequently an Indian.
being so by remote degree Of blood
or by adoption. There are many
whites now residents claiming to
be Indians whose claims have not
as yet been acted upon by the ma
tions. Negroes are frequently met
VINO speak nothing but Indian
languages and are Indians by tribal
law and custom, and others are
met who call themselves Indians
who have not yet been so acknowl-
edged by the tribes. These cir
Cumstances necessarily produced
some confusion as to the number
of Indians separately designated.
However, the total population as
given is correct.
The difficulties surrounding the
taking of this census were aug
mented by the fact that in enrolling
the Indians it frequently occurred
that il was necessary to equip two
and sometimes three interpreters
to accompany the enumeratOrs to
converse with Indians in the same
locality The residents Of the five
civilized tribes, citizens or other
wise, pay no taxes on real or per-
sonal property, and there are no
assessments for this purpose.
In the Cherokee nation were the
following nine districts: Canadian,
Cooweescoowee, Delaware. Flint,
Goingsnake, Illinois, Saline, Sc
quoyah and Tahlequah.
In the Chickasaw nation were
four counties: Pamela, divided
into two districts for census pur.
poses; Pickens, divided into eight
districts for census purposes; Pun-
tOtoc, divided into three districts
for census purposes, and Tisho.
mingo, divided into two districts
for census purposes.
In the ChociaW nation the three
judicial districts were followed far
census purposes: First judicial
district, Gaines county, San Bois
county, Scullyville county, Sugar
Loaf county and Tobucksy county;
Second Judicial district, Apuck-
shamby county. Boktoklo county,
Eagle county, tied River county,