davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-05-13
present figure. without this exter

present figure, without this exter.
nal population.
No, sir, these city occupan IS
have no rightfui claim to the hon
or of increasing the value of these
town lots by means of their i'm
provements, nor even by their
presence as residents in the city.
The only value that these lots
have is due to the existence of out
side population, and the presence
of the railroad; two sources OF
value in which the people at large
have an equal interest; and which
cannot be monopolized by the city
residents.
City buildings, however ponder
Gus are but chattels under our law
like household furniture, or cattle,
or farming implements; they are
movables, and, as such, can add
no value to the land upon which
they chance to be.
This being the case, we may ask
what becomes Of those bounteous
equities which these lot owners are
to have in the soil they are occu-
pying, because of the improve
ments they have made? They
have been occupying this proper
ty, it is true, for a long time, which
they had a right to do, as ones
among all the other common own
ers of the soil. But does that en-
title them TO the exclusive owner
ship2 OF to buy out the interest Of
all the rest Of the Cherokee peo-
pie at a mere "nominap' price?
The. writer thinks not. II would
be a most odious piece Of partiality
IN public administration. The
farmer has just as much right TO
claim special equities in the farm
which he has bought and improved
as the townsman has to claim the
same in the town lot which he has
bought and improved; and If the
farmer has TO surrender his farm
to be disposed Of by allotment, we
can see no valid reason why the
townsman should not be required
to give up his town lot to be dis.
posed OF in the same way.
Let us all tote event
Too oUA-sTEE.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-05-13
Rock Greek Notes.

What has become OF our base ball clubi
Mrs. :. a. Perry Is busy selling strawber-
ries.
Uncle Frank skinner Is trying TO farm
again.
Mr.. Tenent shipped a car load OF hogs 10
Kansas City, Monday.
The chinch bugs are about 10 take the
wheat In this locality.
Mrs. Puss Walker. OF Chelesa, visited Mrs.
VIII shull last Monday.
Mrs. John Ballow visited friends In our
neighbOrhOOd last week.
Mrs. John Archer OF Baxter Springs, Is
visiting her sister-in-law, Mrs. L. W. Propp.
You seldom find people ungrateful so
long AS you are In "A condition 70 serve them.
Herb Cox says II this country Is not al
lotted by next spring he is going To Florida
TO live.
Mr., Hart, who lives on Claude Coxs farm,
was kicked by "A mule last Friday and will
not be able 10 be out for week or two.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-05-13

Where did this increment Of value
come from2 Was IL impaired
to them by the improvements
built upon them2 Not at all.
These Improvements, IL is true,
may be exceedingly valuable; but
as we have said they are no part
OF the realty, but personal proper
ty, carrying their value in them
selves, and as such can no more
add to the value of the lots upon
which they stand than a fine horse
can be said to add value to the
ground upon which he is allowed
to prance. This argument is in
deed so fallacious that its very re-
verse is true. Take that brick
block that stands on commodious
lot on Main street, and valued
where it now is at fifty thousand
dollars, end set it out in the prai-
rie a little way; what is it then
WORTH scarcely the brick and NOR
tar that compose its walls. The
truth is, it is the lots that give val
ue to the improvements; and not
the improvements, 10 he lots.
But in order hat these lots
should impart value to these i'm.
provements, they must have had
value themselves; they could not
have given that which they did
not have.
Where then did these lots get all
their immense value2 Conceive Of
a state of things like this: the utter
annihilation of all the city i'm.
provements, together with the rail-
road and all its advantages, leav-
ing nothing but the soil ina state
of nature; the land composing these
town lots would then be in a man
ner worthless, and il you should
erect upon one of them a building
worth a hundred thousand dollars,
it would have but little tendency
to increase its value.
But in this desolate state of ma
ture, let a good railroad come along
and these lots at once begin to rise
in value. This truth was fairly IL
lustrated some years ago in the
case of the town of Vinita, when
the NJ, X. IL T. made its advent.
Prairie ground that had been lying
there for time immemorial too
poor to win the attention of a
claimant, Immediately became an
exciting prize in the game of
"grab;" wire fences we're spun out
in every direction and for immense
distances in the hope of encom-
passing by chance the site OF the
coming city.
Then in addition to the railroad q,
there came along a great increase
of population throughout the whole
country; and population is the only
true basis of value in real estate.
But, mark you, it is not the pres
ence of city population that
maintains the value of town prop.
erty; the city is supported by the
country. Answer for yourself:
What would become of Vinita were
it not for the vast population round
about occupying the country dis
tricts? Not even the presence OF
the railroad, nor all the exertions
that the city people might put
forth, would be able to keep
the prices OF town lots at their
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-05-13

If you want to get a mans idea
of what would be right in the final
settlement Of the town lot prob
lem, first find out whether he owns
any lots or not, and then "touch
the button, and he will quote law
and the treaties by the hour to
prove that he ia right. If be owns
few lots be can easily prove that
the nation ought to let him keep
them without paying for them and
if he doesn't own any he can east
ly show that all lots must be sold
to the highest bidder.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-05-13

Now that Paymaster Dickson
has been removed the press of the
country will proceed to roast him.
Even the papers that defended
him are kicking him now. The
Muscogee Phoenix will probably
be willing to follow the procession.
Dickson's conduct was simply out
rageous, aud there are ore or two
citizens of this town who ought to
prosecuted for perjury. In their
frantic attempts to protect a scoun-
drel they went beyond the bounds
Of decency, and TO say they swore
falsely is not overstating il.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-05-13

A meeting was held last week and
committee Of ten persons named TO
go to Tahlequah to look after the pro-
lection of town lot holders, in the
pending negotiations They are
w. +. Halsell, VIM. Little, Jas. o.
Hall, L. q. Bell, L.'.W. Burlington
Henry Drew, T. f. Thompson, w. L.
Trott, Bert Chandler and w. G. Pat
ton. A number of the committee arc
now at Tahlequah, having gone down
the first OF the week
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-05-13

by the score, Dickson swears TO have
his scalp. The previous object Of his
ty was Judge Springer who
dared to report him for misconduct,
and 1t will not be surprising II he
next seeks the secretary OF the inter
ior's dismissal for calling him in.
Dlckson's letter from Dave Francis
telling him to "let the people go TO
h--l"emboldened him and he appeared
to forget that Francis was no longer
secretary. There is little Of irony
in this case which should not be lost
sight OF, in another direction. When
General Frank Armstrong was in
Washington last winter and got an
opportunity he dropped the informa-
tion in Dickson's behalf that he (Arm-
strong) while an inspector, used to
"let them go to h--ln and do as he
pleased. But the Nd man is trim
mer" aud on him finally devolyed the
duty of suspending the payment and
turning the books over to Captain
Galbrath, the only government officer
at hand. When the payment will be
resumed is hardly a subject for con-
lecture; IL is suggested that II may
be made through the mail as pensions
are paid. The expectation Of Dickson
is that he will not again be entrusted
with the disbursement and the general
opinion is that his days in the gov
crnmeut service are practically at an
end. And IL is time.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-05-13

TAHLEQUAH is now the mecca of
the monopolist and special inter-
est protectors. If the Dawes COM
mission want to get look at the
fellows who have been running this
nation for a quarter Of a century
and who have prevented allotment
all along, it can see them standing
around the capital asking for the
protection of their individual in
terests. The rank and file Of the
Cherokee citizens. are not there;
they have no business there; they
have no interests that will suffer
by fair division and an equal al
lotment of the common property
of the tribe. Nine.tenths of the
men who have gone down to the
capital to urge upon the commits
sion the great injustice Of this or
that proposition are men who have
had free and unrestricted access to
the range and to the soil Of the
Cherokee nation. When blind
Samson pulled down the temple
upon the lords and mobiles of the
Philistines be perished with them,
and tho "vulgar crowd" who stood
without escaped. So the common,
every day Cherokee need have no
uneasiness in the present emer-
gency. His interests will be pro-
tected, and if anybody gets caught
in the ruins il will be the fellow
who has been getting the free use
Of other peoples property. Stand
from under, gentlemen.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-05-13

IT is now reasonably certain
that congress will provide one ex-
ira judge for this territory, at
large, and will also authorize terms
Of court to be held at Tulsa and
Wagner. In the event such ao-
tion is taken Vinita has a candi-
date TO present IN the person Of
Hon. William M. Melleite. To
introduce the gentleman to any
resident Of this territory who has
been at all familiar with the affairs
about the federal court at TT. Smith
is unnecessary; as a conspicuous
I4ember Of the bar and at times as
assistant U. S. attorney he is per.
fectly well known. With the be-
stowal OF full jurisdiction upon the
courts Of this country Mr. Mellette
moved TO Vinita and her citizens
take pleasure in championing his
cause. A perfect familiarity with
the federal court practice as we'll
as with the Arkansas law. in addi-
ticn to a very full measure Of ready
perception and natural ability, rem
der Mr.. Melleite in every respect
! suitable man for the position to
which be aspires. II is a pleasure
o state that there seem at this
lme 10 be no reasons why his
rlonds may not succeed in secur.
pe his appointment
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-05-13
MAYMAsTER DICKSON, he

IOAYMASTER DICKSON, he OF
70 doubtful methods who 50 sue
fully run bluhn over most everyone
who came near him, The CHEyTAIs
excepted, was unhorsed last week and
left for Washington Friday night iiz-
zlng and fumlng like q small bottle Of
soda pop-a free sample bottle. His
latest batch OF Ire was directed to-
wards Inspector Mclaughlin, sent out
10 Investigate his methods. Although
this inspector has been In the service
twenty-four years and has turned
down special and other Indian agents
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-05-13

THE Pryor Creek Review is ac-
quiring and dispensing quite lit
tie misinformation these days, in
terlined with some evidences OF
venom, but so far as it alludes to
The CHIEFTAIN, is a matter OF su-
preme indifference to us, II you
have made a sore spot on yourself,
brother, it is not worth while TO
aggravate it. Better "fess up"
aud get back ON firm ground.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-05-13

TTTT7T7
TAHLBoUAH, May 10, '97. The
Cherokee and Dawes commissions
met for the first time this evening
and the opening session was de-
voted to listening to town site ar
guments. Negotiations, properly
speaking, will not begin for sever
al days, Town site, mineral and
other questions will be argued first.
Delegations are here from Vinita,
Claremore, Chelsea and other
points.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-05-13
YEsrEp nIemrs ANp EouIrIEs.

VESTED RIGHTS AND EQUITIES
The claim of vested rights that
is heard from many quarters just
now in the discussion Of the town
lot subject is claim that can ex-
let only in the minds Of interested
and biased persons. The vested
rights to the land in tho Cherokee
nation are in the citizens oompos-
ing the nation, and not in the in
dividual nor the body polite;
therefore il is not in the province
Of the national council to sell, or
in any manner tamper with the
title to the land which is vested
in the whole people. But those
who claim that the national coun.
Gil has been guilty of passing an
illegal act certainly reason from in
correct premises, for council never
attempted to sell one foot of this
common domain Of the nation in
setting apart and in the sale of the
right of occupation Of townsites.
Time and space would not be
taken for the discussion of what
seems to be a selfevident PROPOSE
tion were 1t not fact that some of
our citizens sre claiming that the
nation has actually sold the town
lots TO the individual citizens and
gotten the money for them An
examination of the deeds issued
by the Cherokee nation ought to
be sufficient to convince anyone
as to the meaning and extent Of
the conveyance made in the sale
of townlots under our law. II
vested rights were conveyed to
the purchaser those rights would
be fixed and defined, and in no
way contingent upon future acts Of
the law-making powers of the gov
ernment under which they exist.
The claim is held by many that
the citizen occupant Of not only
town property but of any other
portion oil the domain of the Cher
okee nation, has an equity in the
land occupied that will be observed
when allotments are made. This
is without doubt the correct view,
at least to limited extent; linn
tied only for the reason that an in
dividual citizen is entitled to
an interest in the common
property of the tribe. But
rights in equity and rights in
law must not be confounded.
Equity goes further than the law
and observes rights that the law
would not give. Equity is supple
mental to. and goes beyond law;
therefore whatever show of title a
citizen of the tribe sets up must be
in equity, as, according to our law,
no one owns any land as an indi-
vidual but only in common with
others in the communal estate.
Those who talk so boldly of going
into the courts to defend their sup
posed title to town lots in case the
Dawes commission fails to award
them their present holdings, GER
tainly do so ill-advisedly and with
out a shadow of possibility Of sue
cess, as there is absolutely no law
under which they could enter the
courts and demand redress. And
further, to maintain suit against the
Cherokee nation would require an
enabling act of congress which
might not be easily obtained
The proposition to go before the
commission and ask that simple
Justice be done is the reasonable
and the logical way of getting at
the matter, and that which cannot
be obtained in this way would best
be abandoned.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-05-13
II is said tbat be Creek Tow

1T is said that ihe Creek town
site promoters have plan to pre-
sent to the Dawes oonfnission that
places a graded price BY the acre
on all town sitesin the Creek coun-
try. They propose a valuation on
a scale running from a minimum
of ten dollars an acre to two hum
dred and fifty, to be paid for by
those occupying them with valua-
bis improvements at the time OF
the making of the agreement.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-05-13

SOME of our larger stock men
have arranged to lease the allot-
ments Of the children Of Cher
okee families when made. 1t is
hoped that whatever agreement is
entered into between the Dawes
commission and the representa-
tives Of the Cherokee nation, that
proper protection will be thrown
around the children allottees so as
to prevent the monopolist from
continuing the free use Of the
country.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-05-13

THE closing days of Indian au-
tonomy promise to present a scene
of avarice and greed the like Of
which was never dreamed Of. As
our boat nears the rapids the plum
derers come out like vultures al
the smell OF carcass.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-05-13

II the monopolists have any
thing to say in the way this Cher
okee nation shall be allotted the
common Indian won't get enough
land to "thrash a catI upon. II
will be like the. old story Of the
lion and the lamb lying down to.
gether-wheu they get up the lamb
will be missing.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-05-13
uis Nnmn Ne nennIs Ton

The delegate in Congress from
Oklahoma, the Rev. Yancey Cal
lahan, has gone home TO put in
crop. Seeing that he is Of no use
to Oklahoma in Washington, he
has gone where he can be Of SER
vice TO Callahan.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-05-13

Bob Brynson and Sol Ketchum,
amateur pugilists, had lively little
set-to near the fair grounds Saturday.
Brynson was given the fight, the ref
cree deciding that Ketchum fouled
him in the fifth round. Another
contest took place by the little En-
glishman and Ketchum's cousin,
which resulted in a draw.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-05-13
Precinct Convention .

There will be a convention Of the Downing
party OF the Vinlta precinct at the u. ;.
Commissioners Ofice on Saturday, May 22nd,
1877. 20 elect delegates TO the COOweeescOo-
wee district convention 10 be held AZ Clare
more on the sth and 9th ot June, 1897.
T. A. CHANDLER,
w. G.. NELMs,
WM. TOOLEY,
Precinct Managers.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-05-13

TIE proposition to continue
tribal relations eight years longer
presents a problem in ratio and
proportions: If $4,000 can be
stolen in one year how much
would be left in the Cherokee
treasury after the expiration of
eight years2
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-05-13
AT Cobb hotel, one day only, returning every
-Four Weeks.

AT Cobb Hotel, one day only, returning every
Four Weeks.
IL you suffer from disease you want the beat
treatment that can be procured. Justice 70
yourself demands that you should consult ths
leading, most skilliui, most experienced,
most successful specialist in the United
DR.. Handy has no superior In dlagno,inE
disease. lie Will give you $50 .OJ II he cannot
tell your disease aud where located In dge
minutes Remember this Doctor only accepts
euTabie diseases. IL he cannot cure you hs
Will tell you 50. Consultation and examlna-
ton tree Once dayA, Fridays, Saturdays and
sandays ol eseh week once located otsr
~ a m, 10 3 p. m. Sundays, 10 10 ~ a. m.
treat all durable, medical and surgical DIS
eases. acute aud chronic catarrh, diseases Of
the eve, ear, nose, throat and lungs, dyspsp-
sla, BriRhts dlsease. diabetis, Kidney. liver.
bladder, chronic female ana sexual diseases.
stomach and bowel troubles, Theumatisn.
heuraigia, soiatica, dizziness, nervousness,
Indigestion, obesity, interrupted nutrition,
slow growth In children aud wasting diseases
IN adults. Many cases OF deafness, ringing In
tue ears, lOeh OF eYeaight, cataract, crOaseyea,
etc. that have been Improperly treated Oi
neglected can be easily reet0Ted. DefOrmi.
ties, club feet, curvature Of the spine, diseases
OF the brain, heart disease. dropsy, swelling
OF The limbs, ETC., properly treated. Blood
and bkin dlaensea, eczema, varicO6e veins,
yaHcoeele, structure, open sores, pain IN the
bones, RiAnular enlargement and all acute
aud long etandiDg disea6es. Or. Handy de-
votes special Interest 10 the removal Of can
eers, tumors, moiea, waris, wene, birthmarks,
Rrannlated sore eyts. facial blotches, red
nose, plmples ana supernuOus hair on face
or neck
uriLKraY on Flrs CuRED-POsITIvR GUAHANTER.
fllea nstula ana rectal diseases promptly
cured without cutting. Young and middle
nged men suffering from Impaired vitality per-
manently restored 10 normal condition Won
dierirl cures effected through correspondence.
Write for question blank enclOsiBg stamp to
Insure reply. Consultation, examination and
opinion In every case given free. All corrst
pondenee answered promptly. All business
strictly CONFIDENTIAL. Address,
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-05-13

HOME rule is not the issue here
in the Cherokee nationj now the
question is, viii we have any
homes to ruler
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-05-13

MUsKoGEE is wailing because a
court is TO be given 10 Wagner
and perhaps TO Tulsa.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-05-13

THE oHIEFrArN represents the
people.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-05-13
Downing Convention Called.

HEAD QUAHIEHs DOWNINU PAHTY,
COOwEEsCOOwEE Dist. q. n,
CHOUrEAu, ISD. TER. MAY 10th. 1877.
Notice Is hereby given 70 voters In CoOwee-
scOoWce district that the Downing party
Will hold their convention at ClaremOrc. I.
r., June sth and 9TH. 20 place In the field "a
district ticket for the election 20 be held on
the first Monday IN August. 1881.
J. l.. BAuOH. Gent Mgr.
T.. -. WniOHT,
JOSIAH HENRY.
Associates.
Other uanara uIaaea euuv lT An
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-05-13
Notice.

The undersigned will ON the 18th day OF
May. establish an Ofiice In the town Of Fort
Gibson. !. T.. for the purpose Of establishing
the rights OF all authenticated Freedmen Of
the Cherokee nation who were omitted or
left on the clifton pay roll aud are entitled
10 participate Ia the distribution of the
Cherokee Outlet funds. There will be "a true
copy Of the authenticated roll In the office.
Persons desiring 20 establish such rights
will be required 10 furnish the aiiidavlts Of
two reliable witnesses who know the facts
OF their own personal knqwiedge.
Very Respectfully.
T-39 JANIS NJ. KEYS.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-05-13

points.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-06-22
Timothy Dexter.

Whether Lord" Timothy Dexter, that
most grotesque figure in New England's
annals, was a mailman, an imbecile or
simply a humorist who delighted in ex-
citing the wonder and indignation of
his staid Puritan neighbors is q ques-
ton that never received the attention it
deserves. Most of the things which he
did would pass we'll enough for jokes
nowadays, and perhaps they would have
done so in his time had he lived in q
region where anybody who did not take
himself and the world with deadly seri-
business was regarded as hardly entitled
to be called human.
Dexter had at least the money get
ting and money keeping faculty, and it
was developed to such an extent that
even the shrewdest of his Yankee rivals
could not often claim the glory of get
ting the better Of him in business
way. That he put new names on the
statues in his dooryard whenever the
fancy to do SO seized him may have
been merely a yelled criticism Of New
England sculptors, and his book with
the punctuation marks all collected on
the last pages betrayed originality rath-
er than mania, if one looks at it in the
right light. His expectation Of warm
ing pans to the West Indies turned out
too profitably to have been prompted by
sheer ignorance. 1t is at least possible
that Dexter was an early Pudd 'nhead
Wilson who rather enjoyed the derision
of his contemporaries. This theory
would have stood better the test of ex-
animation if he had not drifted into
scandalous ways in his later years, but
perhaps that was due to evaporation
over the refusal of his fellow townmen
to sec the point of his jokes.
York Times.