Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1896-04-23
CHEROKEE OLD SETTLERS.
Information From Agent Wisdom Re-
gardipg the Payment.

gardipg the Payment.
To the Old Settlers, or Western
Cherokee Indians:
You are hereby notified that l
will begin the payment TO the Old
Settlers, or Western Cherokee In
dians at FIT. Gibson, L. t., at 2
O'Clock p. m. on Friday, the oath
instant.
You are further advised that un-
der my instructions issued by the
honorable commissioner of Indian
affairs, Washington, d. c., of date
April 7th, 1896, that letters of
guardianship to be issued by the
judge of the district court of the
district wherein the minor resides,
will be required in cases where
both parents are dead; in cases
where the head of a family claims
the shares due the children of his
wife by former husband; in cases
where a person not an Old Settler
Cherokee Indian claims the shares
of his children by a deceased wife,
an Old Settler Cherokee; and in all
other cases where the persons en-
titled are incompetent to receive
and receipt for their own shares.
You are further advised, that in
all cases of minors or other incom-
petents, not having regularly ap-
pointed guardians, that l am di-
rected to deposit all moneys due
such TO the credit of the United
States, to be held for them until
such time as such guardians may
be appointed, or, in the case of
minors until they attain their ma
jority, making note in all such
cases upon the rolls Besides the
clerk of the court, whence the
guardianship papers issue, should
certify that the judge of the dis
trict at the time they were issued
was the duly elected and qualified
judge of said district, and his Off
cial acts are entitled to credit as
such, and that they are true copies
of the originals on file in his office.
POWERS OF ATTORNEY AND ORDERS.
No powers of attorney and or
ders for money will be accepted or
recognized by me.
PAYMENT ONLY TO INDIANS.
The commissioner further in
structs me that | must be careful
TO pay all the money | disburse
into the hands of the Indians enti-
tied to it without regard to impor-
tunities or claims of any middle
men, attorneys, or creditors.
CONTESTS
No contests between rival claim
ants will be entertained and de-
cided by me, because under no cir
cumstances can | alter or change
the original roll. The decision of
the Old Settler commission is final
and the commission having dis
charged its duty is dissolved, and
cannot be re-convened for a new
enrolment. This ruling is in har-
mony with the letter and spirit of
the fifth article of treaty of 1916.
PAYMENTS IN DETAIL.
Payments will also be made at
Tahlequah, Claremore, Muskogee,
Checotah and Salisaw, and due no.
tice of the times when, will be
made through the newspapers and
other means of communication, and
residents of a district in which
particular payment is made will be
paid first, but this is not intended
to debar a claimant from another
district who can be conveniently
paid.
NoN-REsIDENTs.
In cases of claimants, descend
ants of the Old Settler Cherokees,
living a great distance from this
agency, in Texas, California, etc.,
unless they can attend in person, |
shall deposit all such shares to the
credit of the United States, max
ing due note thereof on the rolls,
and will notify the claimants of
such action, and will direct them
to make application for payment
through the Indian Office. Wash.
ton, D. G.
REMARKS.
L would respectfully advise and
direct that in accordance with the
above programme, all Old Settlers
should remain at home until / can
reach their nearest and most con-
venient point of payment. Many
Old Settlers draw very small
shares, and they cannot afford to
come long distances and be SUBJ
jected to heavy expenses to draw
or receive the same. Let them
bide their time, possess their souls
in patience, and in due time they
shall be paid. 1t is my duty to
pay out this particular money, and
l intend to do it, "if it takes all
summer"
l will be accompanied at each
payment by an ample police force,
who will preserve the peace and
protect the payments, and no quar-
tiers will be given gamblers, whis-
ky peddlers, drunkards, and other
suspicious and disreputable char
acters, who usually infest the pay
grounds and violate the laws of
decency and propriety.
Very respectfully,
Dew NJ. WISDOM,
U. S. Indian Agent.
PAYMENT AT VINITA.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
L. :. INDIAN SERVICE.
MUsKoGEE. l. T.. April 81, 1896. |
S. w. BOND, Vinita, |. T.:
DEAR SIR:-In answer to the Pc