davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-11-11
Cherokee "Justice."

The jury in the NJ. NJ. Rowe
murder case at the Saline district
court house last week was a hot
aggregation, to say the least. This
Jury mentioned was composed of
eleven fullblood Indians and one
adopted citizen. They sat III the
box during the trial with looks of
stolid Indifference, and paid about
as much attention to the evidence
as Pryor Greek people pay a
preacher. After the attorneys had
concluded their argument the jury
filed into the jury room and took
action at once. The foreman drew
two lines and instructed those who
believed him guilty to stick
small peg in one of the lines, and
those who believed him innocent
to ornament the other line in a
like manner. This was done as a
matter of form, however. When
it was known who would be the
iurymen, it is reported that they
met in the woods a few days pre-
vious to the trial and decided that
he was guilty and then and there
convicted him. A sentence of
death was imposed on the prisoner
and as a result of such kangaroo
proceedings a human being is to
be illegally" hanged on December
24th-Pryor Greek Review.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-11-11
The Hicks 1898 Almanac and Paper.

We are informed that the 1898
Almanac of Prof. Irl r. Hicks is
now ready, and judging from its
past history, it will not be many
weeks in finding its way into
homes and offices all over America.
1t contains 116 pages, is splendidly
printed and illustrated on fine
book paper, having the finest
portrait ever given of Prof. Hicks.
1t can no longer be denied that
the publications of Prof. Hicks
have become a necessity to the
family aud commercial life of this
country. His journal, Word and
Works, aside from its storm,
weather and astronomical features,
has taken rank with the best
literary, scientific and family
magazines of the age. 1t is matter
of simple record that Prof. Hicks
has foretold for many years all
great storms, floods, drouths and
tornadoes, even the recent terrible
drouth over all the country. The
Almanac alone is % cents copy.
The paper is 81 90 year with the
Almanac as a premium. Send to
Word and Works Pub. Co., 2201
Locust ST., St. Louis, Mo.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-11-11

The commissioners of Indian
affairs in his annual report has the
following touching the recent
freedmen payment:
Relative to the schedule of the
freedmen in the Cherokee nation,
Mr.. Jones says: "This schedule,
after a clerical examination by thls
office, was submitted on January
16, 1897, to the Secretary of tie
Interior for his consideration and
approval. 1t was returned on the
18th of January, duly approved,
and on February s, Mr.. James G.
Dickson, special United States In
dian agent, was designated by the
Secretary of the Interior as spec
ial disbursing agent to distribute
the fund. Under instructions pre-
pared February 10, 1897, Mr..
Dickson paid out to the said Chero-
kee freedmen the sum of $685.
GLIB, when circumstances arose
which rendered il necessary to
stop the payment and relieve him
from duty. subsequently, June,
1897, Mr.. D. NJ. Wisdom, United
States Indian agent, Union agency,
l. T., was designated to complete
the work He disbursed the sum
of s22S, ,763. II, completing the pay
ment so far as it was possible at
that time, making a total disburse-
ment of 1926, ,3S4.30, leaving unex-
pended and subject to claims the
sum of $50, ,596 20. of the sum
dicbursed, s44, 1854 was paid to at
torneys and for Incidental expenses
incurred in making the payment. "
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-11-11

AN anomoly in the way OF a
newspaper is printed at the Black
we'll townsite, called the "City of
David" near Chelsea. 1t con-
tains no advertisements other than
of the townsite, has no local news,
no personals, and seems to be in
fiated with wind. 1t prints regu-
larly and talks continually about
being a business center. 1t has
been doing this same thing for
three years, and we are informed
that no business of any kind is
carried on in the "city," having
not even a post Office. 1t is a
marvellous enterprise indeed.
The following paragraph taken
from one of its advertisements will
indicate what it is doing: 1.-The
rich, fertile soil surrounding the
City of David makes it a most
lively farming center. The rain
fall is just SO abundant as to in
sure a large crop each year. More
wheat is raised in this section
than any other in the Cherokee
nation. The hay crop is always
cut twice. Corn this year is SC
plentiful it will hardly pay tc
gather the whole crop. Anything
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-11-11

TEE Delaware claim and the
"Katy" land grant were deemed
of no consequence by the Chief,
and at least three of the commits
sioners on the part of the Chero-
kee nation. But the fullblood ele-
ment, spurred on by Watt Duncan,
contended that there was danger
along that line, and defeated a
ruinous agreement with the Dawes
commission. Now the Chief is
pleased to lug.it into his message
as one Of the things that he is
opposed to, and these same COM
missioners sign a protest to the
Dawes commission in which both
these Objectionable features are
prominently mentioned. Why
not come out and be plain about
it and say that these claims were
the real reason why an agreement
was not reached, and go before
congress on that proposition2
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-11-11

the monopoly question would be
adjusted by an equitable individ-
ualization of the title TO all our
lands to all the citizens of the
Cherokee nation. Other matters
pending between our government
and that of the United States could
be settled at the same time; all
just claims paid. Provisions could
be made for the continuance of our
government so long as we might
think best. But as above observed,
no one of you is more strongly op-
posed than to the United States
violating its solemn obligations
with our people without our con-
sent and l am ready to unite with
you in every legitimate way to
protect them.
DELEGATION.
The report of the delegation is
herewith submitted to you for your
consideration. 1t shows the arbi-
trary action of congress and 1t
shows the numerous protests the
late delegation made against the
adverse legislation which was
pending against the Cherokee ma
ton. By the invitation OF the
national council | accompanied the
delegation, and remained in Wash
ington until the close of the regular
session of congress, and can assure
you of the evident desire of con-
gress to have some change effected
in our form of government.
In order that our people might
have their interest more fully
guarded and for the purpose of &C
quainting all classes of our people
with the exact condition OF affairs
at Washington, / should be glad
to have you provide for a strong
delegation at as early date as
possible.
There are many questions of i'm
portance affecting our people that
| should be glad to submit were il
not for the uncertainty of the con.
tinuance of our courts and our gov
ernment, and l have not thought
it best to advise much general leg.
islation for that reason.
In conclusion, / have the honor
to herewith submit the report oi
the treasurer of the Cherokee ma.
ton, Cherokee commission, board
of education, editor OF Advocate,
attorney general, high sheriff
medical superintendent, delega'
ton. Respectfully submitted,
S. H. MAYEs,
Principal Chief Cherokee Nation
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-11-11

HooLIE BELL. accompanied by
johnson Falling and other hench-
men, have gone to Tahlequah to
try to "railroad" through council
the franchises for water works,
electric lights and the Lord knows
what else for this city. 1t is to
be hoped that the members. of
council will know enough not TO
be led into granting Hoolie Bell
anything, for he touches nothing
that does not smack of job.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-11-11

that is planted will grow" This
sounds like one of William Allen
Whites stories of Western Kan
sas. He tells of a county seat in
which only one man lived and
held all the county offices, printed
a newspaper and carried on city
government, etc., and finally went
crazy watching the brassy heavens
in hope of the rain that never
came.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-11-11

The Cherokees have faculty
of getting on the wrong side and
of suffering for ii. The 1866 treaty
was largely the result of going
into the confederacy, and if juris-
diction is lost January 1, 1898, it
viii be by virtue of the treaty of
1875. The Cherokees gave the
colonies not little trouble in the
Revolutionary war-they were
Tories-and the 1895 treaty was
the result. Among other pro-
visions was one agreeing thereafter
to be loyal and that congress
might at its pleasure pass any
laws for their government, and it
appears that subsequent treaties
have q saving clause.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-11-11

CHIEF MAYEs, in his annual
message to council, takes occasion
10 bewail the death of number OF
the most noted leaders, it is to be
presumed, of the Cherokee people.
Among other patriots mentioned
are Jess Sunday and Dave Ridge
who were killed a short time ago
in a drunken fight at Saline court
house. But the chief fails to even
mention the theft of s126,OOO OF
Cherokee money during the same
period.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-11-11

IF the irate young woman at
Sloan Springs who undertook to
horsewhip a banker for trying to
collect q debt would try her hand
on that lying newspaper cores
pondent over there, there are any
number of people who would rise
nm and call her blessed.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-11-11

The agreement with the Choc-
taws and Chickasaws has. been
ratified by the councils of those
tribes and will now 60 to the con-
gress of the United States for con-
firmation. To say the least of it,
it is better treaty than was made
with the Greek commissioners, or
was offered to the Cherokees.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-11-11

TIE Cherokees. and Greeks have
proven beyond doubt that they
re in the front--rank of advance
ment and. civilization. Both have
had their treasures 'elooted" OF a
large amount of money and are
esstill in the ring" and see no good
reason for giving up tribal govern
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-11-11
THE CHEROKEES REPLY.

Cherokee nation through the COM
mission appointed to negotiate
with the Dawes commission is
strong document withal, but has
the very fatal weakness of going
too far and stating too much. To
claim that ours is a model govern
ment, and that dangerous and un-
comfortable monopoly of land does
not, nor cannot exist under our
system of land in common. is get
ting far away from the facts in the
case. While it is true that the
report of the Dawes commission
was a misstatement of facts in a
few minor particulars, it was, in
the main, correct, and utterly be-
yond the power of the Cherokees
to successfully contradict. 1t is a
notorious fact that our lands are
being, and have for years been
monopolized to a shameful extent,
and to the exclusion of many citi-
zens who are without land upon
which to build home. No good
can come to the Cherokees by such
glaring and unreasonable misstate-
ments. The beauties of holding
land in common can only be seen
by those who are in possession of
more than their share, and to regu-
late the settlement of the public
domain, that right has never been
claimed nor enforced,
And again, it is preposterous TO
claim that the Cherokee govern
ment is free from corruption in
office. The fact is still fresh in
the memory of the Cherokee peo-
pie and the outside world that only
few months ago more than one
hundred thousand dollars was tax.
en- from the funds of the people
and put down in the pockets of a
half a dozen of the plundering
leaders of the Cherokees. These
things cannot, nor will not be de-
MED, and are bound, in a measure,
to nullify the claims of oul
commissioners. 1t has been
contended all along that there
was no danger in the Della
ware claim against the nation fol
157 900 acres of land, and in the
NJ, K. &, T. land grant, and
three of our commissioners voted
in favor of treating with the Dawes
commission with these same claim:
pending Now they lay especial
stress upon these dangers and give
them as reasons why treaty was
not made.
Why cannot the facts be stated
Why cannot the commission say
that the fullbloods would not yield
and that they, the other members
of the commission, were powerles'
to act? The protest sets forth
condition that a majority of the
commission declared did not exist
The facts as they really exis
make it imperative that the landl
of the Cherokee nation be allotted
at the earliest possible moment
To say that it we're better to re
main holding land in common Ii
going too far, and is deserving th'
severest criticism of their own peo
pie and of congress.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-11-11

TIE whilom loquacious Dawes
commission is getting to be like
the boy the calf ran over-having
lothing to say.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-11-11
The CHEROKEE COUNCIL.
Bill Passed Providing for Six Delegates
to Washington
In the Saddle.

TAHLEoUkH. L. T.. Nov. 10. 1897.
The national council in regular
annual session has reached the
middle Of the second week, and
very little has happened, or is
likely to happen to distinguish it
in any way from its prede-
cessors for a decade or two.
The first bill to pass the two
houses and go to the chief was
bill providing for a delegation Of
six to go to Washington, carrying
out the recommendation of the
chief in his message to send
''strong" delegation. The suppo-
sition is that the delegation will
be made up of four fullbloods and
two mixed bloods. There are not
less than score of statesmen lob
bying for the places on the delega-
tion. The final caucus will proba-
bly, be held tonight, upon all the
other offices to fill as well as upon
the delegation. The fullbloods
and the chief will name them all.
The halfbreeds have practically no
voice in the matter and will only
get such bones as fall from the
table or are thrown to them.
The fullbloods are talking Of
Wash Swimmer, Red Bird, Dave
Muskrat and Uncle Watt Duncan,
and will allow Chief Mayes to
name the other two. The amount
to be appropriated will cause a
wrangle, as the fullblood members
will not hear to large appropria-
tion.
The other positions to be filled
will be farmed out among the
faithful. The present incumbents
all expect to be elected again, and
some of them doubtless will be
retained. However all these mat
tiers will be settled in caucus.
The charges against Gus Ivey
upon which Chief Mayes removed
him from the board of education
last year occupied the. attention of
council the latter part of last
week. Ivey tried hard to contr' il
the national members but fs' led
utterly, the charges against. him
were sustained by r,.ctically
unanimous vote, only ore member
voting in favor OF Ivy. This ac-
tion of council places Ivey before
the senate for trial which will be
taken up some time this present
week. Under the law, if Ivey is
impeached he will be disfranchised
from voting or holding Office in
the Cherokee nation hereafter.
That he will be impeached there
seems to be little doubt at present.
Nothing in the way of general
legislation has been mentioned
yet, as the attention of members
has been focused upon filling the
places of trust and emolument-
The mixed blood element seems
to be at sea, and are standing
around watching to see how the
Indians" are going to run things.
A great change has been wrought
in the personnel of the council
during the last year.
The usual army of office seekers
have been hanging around the
council house since the beginning,
but now are beginning 10 drift
away as their chances grow hope
less.
Both the supreme and circuit
courts are in session here now.
In the circuit court, the famous
McKee-Thompson case has been
on trial all week. 1t involves the
old Mckee store house and lot on
Muskogee street. The supreme
court has a lengthy docket on
hand and is trying to clear it so as
to leave nothing after the first of
January.
/
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-11-11
NOTES

Judge R. F. Wyly, attorney
general of the Cherokee nation, is.
reported as dangerously sick at
his home in North Tahlequah.
He has been i'll for about ten
days.
Jas. s. Staples, of the big and.
well known mercantile firm of Jno-
W. Staples & Son, who were re-
Gently burned out, has returned
from the east, where he has BEEN
purchasing a new stock.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-11-11

THE Creek council has confirmed
the appointment of Judge N. b.
Moore as treasurer of the nation.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-11-11
DAWES COMMISSION.

By an act approved December
4, 1896, the commission appointed
by virtue of an act approved Aug
ust %, 1896, to confer with the
United States commission was con-
tinued in authority and two addi-
tional commissioners were added
thereto. The final reply of the
Cherokee commission to the United
States commission is herewith
handed to you and the reasons
given in detail why an agreement
was not reached.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-11-11

No general legislation was en-
acted during the past year with
reference to the better collection
of our revenue. The happiness,
you might say, the life of a nation.
like that of a family, depends
upon its finances. Hence, your
particular attention is called to
the annual report of the auditor,
submitted herewith. 1t shows
that during the past fiscal year
The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-08-14
"NlE AND MICKEY

On the roster of the Al. c. Field big
white MINISTRIES during the present sea-
son will he found one OF the most unc-
tious and Croll comedi ans that has ever
graced the stage OF All -to.date min
strel show. The quaint expressions "Me
and Mickey" which became II household
word, made Billy Van famous, and TO- day
he is recognized as one ..of the ables, of
refined laugh dispensers. and with a
bunch OF quips and other good things up
his sleeve he will be found giving fifteen
minutes of unalloyed amusement to Mr..
Fields extensive clientele Another
comedian Of Iare ability and versatility is
Tommy Donnelly, who will he found mt
his old post This season with the Field
big minstrels. The sc nsation of the sea-
son IL Mr.. Fields engagement of the Cor
MALTA family of lady and gentlemen aero
bats. They have created fnrore every
where and are the highest .salaried act in
the country. MIR. Field opens the amuse-
ment season in Roanoke August 10, at the
Academy of Music.
The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-08-14
An Extraordinary Migration.

one OF the greatest mysteries to scien-
lists, ono for which there seems to be
no reasonable explanation, is that con-
corning the migration of the lemming,
or Norway rat Instead of taking place
once year these migrutions occur only
once Ill every 1 years. When tho time
comes for the exodus, the little animals
journey westward from Scandinavia,
allowing nothing to stop their move
ments, which virtually amount to q
headlong flight. They swim tho lakes
and rivers and climb tho highest noun
talns III incalculable numbers, devastat-
ing tho whole country through which
they travel. Naturalists attribute the
movement to some inherited memory Of
Il flight to escape an expected cataclysm,
but this seems somewhat farfetched. -
Pittsburg Dispatch.
The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-08-14
SOMETHING TO DEPEND ON.

Mr.. James Jones, of the drug firm of
Jones 81 Son, Cowden, ILL.,, in speaking
of DIR. Kings Nov Discovery, says that
last winter his wife was attacked with
La Grippe, and her case crew so serious
that physicians at Cowden and Pana
could do nothing for her. 1t seemed to
develop into hasty consumption. Having
DIR. Kings New Discovery in store, and
selling lots OF it, he took bottle home,
and to the surprise of all she began to get
better from first dose. and half dozen
dollar bottles cured her sound and we'll.
DIR. Kings New Discovery for Consump-
ton, Coughs and Colds is guaranteed to
do this good work. Try it. Free trial
BOTTLES at Massic's Pharmacy, 100 Jeffer-
SON
The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-08-14
THE CONVENTION.

The Virginia Democratic State conven-
ton has completed it's work and the
members have returned to their homes. 1t
was thoroughly representative body,
aud it is not saying too much to assert
that finer gathering of true virginians
has never before met within the confines
of the OLD Dominion. They, individually
and collectively, made a most favorable
impression upon the people of this city
and conducted themselves as gentlemen
without exception. While The Times
does not approve all the political acts Of
the convention, it at the same time be.
lieves that more earnest and patriotic
body could not be found in any State or
country. The officers of the convention,
temporary and permanent, were efficient
and worthy, and none more so than Chair
man E. w. Saunders, of Franklin county,
who showed himself.a master of parlia-
Eientary tactics and an able and impair
tial presiding officer. His position at
times was trying one; but his head was
always clear and his decisions eminently
il st and fair.
The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-08-14
a CARD.

find this morning in reading the Roa-
nohe Times that under the aggravation
of the moment have said things which
are not right and which do not endorse
Senator II. ID. Flood and John w. Daniel
and +. ". Saunders are f1lst-class gem
tlemen and my personal friends, and de-
sire to retract and withdraw and apol-
ogize for certain expressions in this
mornings paper. This is done of my
own volition. not having seen any of
them at the present writing and make
the retraction and apologize in order to
do justice to myself aud to them. am
a Democrat. l never have voted and
never mean to vote any other ticket. I
mean to stand by section 10 of article
of the Federal Constitution. hope to be
able to do it without making myself Of
fensive CAMM PATTERSON.
Roanoke Aup 10
The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-08-14

Senator Wellington, of Maryland, is a
broken man. All who see him realize
that the great mistake he made in trying
to be the whole thing in Maryland and
even to hold up the President, maxim Q
himself ridiculous before his colleagues
and the laughing stock of his State, is
telling very severely upon him. He looks
AT every man as If he felt that every man
was either plying or laughing at him.
rms matter is so apparent that it has
really become painful to talk to Yelling
ton. And only a short time ago he was
SO selfreliant in his appearance, so bold
and courageous looking, and besides he
was smiling and affabie. Now he averts
The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-08-14

using his personal influence to prevent it's
adoption as a part of the Democratic
State platform, Senator Daniel, however
unintentional it may have been, is placed
in the position of UNFOLDING machine po-
litics, and it is believed that in following
this course he has greatly weakened. his
hold upon the masses of the party.
Congressman Jones, on the other hand,
in advocating this measure, not only
proved himself an ADLER debater than SEN
ator Daniel, but showed also that he is a
true friend of the people. His course in
this matter is much to his credit, and by
his able and fearless advocacy of the pop
ular rights he has--greatly endeared him
self to the masses of the party. The Sc
lection OF United States Senator'S by pri-
mary election is destined yet to become
Il part of the Democratic policy of Vir-
ginia, as it already is in the States of
South Carolina, Georgia and Nebraska.