Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1895-09-18
A BIG FEE.
Two Thousand Dollars to Law
yers I'm an Indian Case.

Two Hundred Thousand Dollars to Law
yers In an Indian Case.
The old settler Cherokee Indians are
soon to receive in payment from the
government 5000, 900. The roll is about
completed in the department, showing
that /, 100 Indians are entitled to share
in the money. but, as it is to be paid out
by estates and not per capita, there is
a wide range of difference in the
amounts to be received. In some in
stances individuals will receive only IA
cents, and in other cases an individual
will receive over 81, 500.
The money to be paid the old settlers,
says the St. Louis Globe-Democrat,
comes from interest on old accounts
due them from the government. They
date back to 1885, when a treaty was
made with the ~Cherokees, and this
fund, according to the terms of that
treaty, is to be paid to a certain num-
Der Of families who moved into that
country prior to that time. This is
how 1t happens that the money appears
to be SO unevenly divided. In some in
stances but few members of a family
are living, while in other cases many
descendants are living. The depart
ment has had considerable trouble in
perfecting the roll, as a few of those
entitled to share this money now live in
California. Nearly all live in the Cher
okee nation. With those in the nation
it has been a difficult matter to deter
mine in many instances whether or not
an individual is entitled to share the
money. The work of perfecting the
rolls has delayed payment for more
thar a year.
While the Indians receive only $780,
600, the entire claim is $500, 900. The
5000, 900 is taken up by attorneys fees,
which T paid direct Il the attorneys.
Over 80 years ago the Indians interest
ed in this claim executed a contract
with w. j. Bryant, of Tahlequah, Civ
ing him 25 per cent. of all the money
he could get out of the combination of
claims. He commenced work OF the
matter and is now IS years old and
very feeble, but he is expected 10 make
another trip here to get his 5000, 900
and divide it with attorneys he has en-
ployed IN the case. It is understood
that he has given contracts to attor-
neys and officials covering about $780,
600, thus leaving him but $50, 900. But
this division was thought by him neces-
sary to bring about a final settlement,
and, as estimated, it never would have
been paid had he not been able to deal
out some money where it would have
the effect of securing action.
In addition to this $500, 900 given over
to attorneys and for other purposes,
$1,000 is taken out of the fund for ex-
Congressman Heard, Of Missouri, by an
act Of congress. Mr.. Heard was en-
ployed in the case some time before he
was elected TO congress-, and did the
work that entitled him to the fee of
$4,000. The payment of his fee was
recommended by the present officials
In the department, and Mr.. Heard con-
cluded that it would be just as safe to
have congress set apart his fee as it
wou'd to leave the matter in the hands
OF the department officials. Accord
ingly ne nad an act passed covering the
matter and making sure his fee. He
gets his fec out of the claim, and it is
taken out in addition to the 5000, 900
that is given to Bryant and divided
with others.