The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-07-28
4 Observation-Disclosures Dollar Fec.

The old settler Cherokee Indians are 10
receive in payment from tho Government
$6)0n by the last Of next month. Ihe
roll is about completed in the department,
showing that l.lU1 Indians ere entitled 10
share in tho money but IS IL Is 90 BE- paid
out by estates and not per capita there
Is n wide range OF difference IN the
amounts 10 be received. I'm some m
stances individuals viii receive only Is
cents. and IN other cases an individual
will receive over $500
The money TO be paid the old settlers
comes from interest on old accounts
due them from the Government They
date back 60 lNl. when treaty was
ade with the Chorokees and this fund.
according tc inc terms OF that treaty, is
TO bc paid 10 "a certain number Of families
who moved into that country prior TO
that time This Is row II happens that
the money appears 10 be so uneVenly
divided. In some instances but few NOM
bers OF family are living. while IN
other cases many descendants are living.
The department has had considerable
trouble an pcrfecting the roll. As a few
Of those entitled to share this money
now live I'm California. Nearly all live in
the Cherokee Nation. With those in
the nation ~ has been "a difficult matter
% determine IN many instances whether
or not AN individual Is entitled TO share
the money Tho work OF perfectlng the
rolls has delayed payment for more than
year
While the Indians receive only 100000
the entire claim is $4,000. The $4,000 Is
taken up By attorneys fees. which are
paid direct TO, tho attorneys. over thirty
Two years ago the Indians intrusted I'm
this claim executed a contract with w.
J. Bryant of Tahlequah. giving him y per
cent. OF all the money he could get out OF
the combination OF claims lie commence
ed work on tho matter, and is now seven
ty-cight years old. ana very feeble, but
he is expected 10 make another trip here
60 get his 5000 600 and divide IT with at
tOrneys ne mas employed In the case.
II is understood that he has given con-
tracts 10 attorneys and officials cover
ing about $4,000. thus leaving him but
SO 600. But this division Was thought by
him necessary 10 bring about a final
settlement. and. as estimated. II never
would have been paid had he not been
able 10 deal out some money where II
would have the effect of securing ac-
ton.
In addition 20 this $4,000 given over TO
attorneys and for other purposes $40 40
is taken out of the fund for ex-Congress-
man Heard, OF Missouri 10y an act OF Con-
gress Mr.. Heard was employed in the
case some time before he was elected 10
Congress. and did the work that entitled
him TO the fee OF $4,000. The payment
OF his fee was recommended By the pres
ent officials In the department, and Mr..
Heard concluded that II would he just
as safe to have Congress set apart his
fee as IL would to leave the matter In
the hands OF the departmental officials.
Accordingly he had an act passed cover
ipl the matter and making sure his
fee lie gets his fee out OF the claim,
and II Is taken out In addition 10 the
$500 coo that is given TO Bryant and dvi-
ded with others.-WashinSton Letter 10
the s.. Louis Globc-Demccra
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r,o~s.. nan. 49,. ,rofv ve~efahle harm