Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1896-02-06

persons complained OF in his letter
might be punished, and that if
prompt action be taken, further
trouble would be avoided.
The abstract from Mr. Fitch's
letter reports that he is much an
noyed by reports that Indians, or
others had destroyed their corners;
that the last of these reports had
come from Mr.. Harrison's party
in the Greek nation, where he is
informed that not only has the
corner (stone or posD been des-
stroyed or carried away, but that
the marks on the bearing
trees were obliterated with axes;
that it would seem to him that
with the help of the U. S. marsh
ais, these persons might be pun
ished, and if proper action be TAX
en- further trouble would be avoid
ed; that section 2412 and 24l3 of
the revised statutes are the only
laws of which he is aware relating
to the matter.
He also reports that he IS in
informed, recently Messrs. Good
love and Wilkinson, surveyors Of
Mr.. Harrison's party, found it
necessary to stay all night at an
Indians house ir the Seminole ma
tion; that he understands this In
dian is a brother of Governor
Brown of the Seminole nation, and
that at first he was quite willing
to entertain them, but proceeded
to get d;sagreeably drunk and
drove them out of the house the
next morning with rifle, firing
three shots at them as they ran;
that be afterwards sent word that
he regretted the occurrence and
invited them to return, but they
declined and have not ventured
near him since"
The sections OF the revised stat
utues referred to by Mr.. Fitch pro-
vide penalties for interrupting
hindering, or preventing the sur
veying of public lands or any pri-
vate land claim and for the presi-
dent to order the marshal OF the
state or district in which surveys
are being made by himself or his
deputy to attend and protect the
surveyors.
You will investigate the COM
plants of the gentlemen by Mr.
Fitch, and warn the Indians that
they will not be permitted to inter-
iere with the surveys being made
by the officers of the geological
survey In the Indian Territory,
and the government will certainly
take effective steps for their pun
ishment for destroying these mOn-
uments and bearing marks, or
otherwise interfering with the sur
veys in their country now being
carried on by the authority of con-
gress.
You will communicate with the
authorities of the five civilized |
tribes and say to them that such |
conduct on the part of their peo-
pie will be very strong and con-
vincing evidence of the absolute |
truthfulness of the damaging alle-
cations that have been published |
broadcast to the country from both
official and unofficial sources, of
high handed lawlessness prevail |
ing in their country--that "a reign |
of terror exists there and barbar-
Gus ouirages almost impossible of
belief are enacted" and which
charges the authorities have so
eagerly sought to refute. and furth-
ermore, il the outrages complained
of by the surveyors are committed
by others than citizens of the ma
tions, it is equally TO their inter
est a. people, 10 use every prop
er means in their power to prevent
repetition of the same.
You will also instruct the Indian
police employed in the several ma
tions to keep watch with a view to !
ascertaining who the guilty par
ties are. Very respectfully,
ID. VI. BROWNING,
Commissioner.
|
One sarond-hand QOo nound safa al