The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-09-06
INDIAN DAMAGE CLAIMS.
The Government Viii Be Pressed to
Settle Them.
EVIDENCE Will SOON Be TAKEN
whether the Government Has an
Attorney 20 Represent II OF Not
ms Witnesses Are Dyinx.
To the Editor OF The Pest.

To the Editor OF The Post.
Amphion. Texas. September s.--As many
OF your readers are aware. by an act OF
the United States congress March 8. 1891.
citizens OF the United States who had suf-
fered losses from Indian depredations COM
mitted since July /, 1865, were given three
years from date OF such enactment to hle
claims for such losses
During the Harrison administration con-
siderable work was done in this country
In the way of taking evidence In these
cases; during the following (the second
Cleveand) administration practically
nothing was done. and very little has yet
been done during the Mckinley adminis-
tration. There are more than million
dollars worth of these claims In South aud
West Texes, and the dilaioriness OF the
government in affordtng the people an OPP
portunity to make the necessary proof re-
quired by the court OF claims has defeated
many by death OF claimants, witnesses,
etc., and as time rolls ON they are being
settled In that way.
Witnesses and claimants are dying and
becoming more scattered. thereby making
1t less possible for the necessary PROOF 10
be made. and in this way many Just
claims are forever lost. Much VAS ,x
peeted o. the present administration. but
up to date 1t has been paid IN disappont-
ments.
The writer has been shown copies OF
circular letters sent out 10 claimants all
over this country by John Wharton Clark,
distinguished lawyer OF Washington City,
who is the attorney at that end of the
IN far ~ . 1pt o,,tu tn.
country. in which he says he has made
up his mind to visit this section come
time during the month of September and
October and take testimony In cases rep
resented by him whether the government
las an attorney present or not. This he
will do by giving fifteen days notice re-
qured under rule Al of the court of
claims. He Furthermore says In these let
tiers that ne has done and viii do all that
he can to prevail on the assistan; attorney
general &c send or appoint an attorney to
represent the government and the Indians
in the taking OF testimony In these cases.
but that whether the representative OF
the government accompanies him or not
he is going ahead taking evidence in these
cases represented by him.
Should he fail to be present at the time
and place appointed, the matter will be
proceeded with by local attorneys at tins
end OF the line.
Colonel j. G. Carr OF San Antonio who
Is associated with Mr.. Clark In many OF
the cases in this country. also showed the
writer "A private letter from Mr. Clark on
the same subject. written along the same
lines AZ the circular letter, but expressing
q little more determination In the mat
ter He recognizes the fact that 1t is best
to nave counsel for the government and
the Indians present when the evidence Is
taken, as the same witnesses may have to
y s1FNt
ned. hut he also ;ocogniZesnthe fact that
"a half-loaf is better than no loaf" and
that the evidence OF witresscs may be Sc
cured in this way who might as has
teen The case with many. be called TO a
higher court to testify before the supreme
Judge ere the government VIII get ready
to proceed with the testimony In these
Sases.
For the encouragement Of those who
have about lost hope OF anything ever
coming out OF these claims or that any
money would ever be paid on them. 1t
can be stated for a fac that judgment
was obtained In the court OF claims last
year In favor OF D. r. Sappington OF Bexar
county for $4,000 and thu the money
was paid as soon as an appropriation was
made by congress. Any one entertaining
a doubt as to The payment just mentioned
can ascertain the truth by writing to the
widow OF the late r. II. Sappington at
San Antonio.
| Since writing the above Colonel Carr
has shown the writer a late letter Just
received from his Washington attorney
Mr. Clark. In which be states that since
sending out the first letter he has changed
| his plans and will not come 10 Texas unit
November or December. at which time he
| has ascertained that he can be accom-
panied by an attorney representing the
Indians, and that when case Is taken
UP. II can be completed. This is much
better for all concerned. for II the evidence
were taken In n case without having conn-
sci for the government present. the same
witnesses might have to be dragged away
from home again at great expense and In
some cases. perhaps, could not be
! induced TO appsare again. But
/ Mr. Clark says in his last letter, as before.
I that the taking Of testimony viii proceed
anyhow. whether the government be pres
ent By counsel or not. all Of which is good
news to South and West Texas. for there
is no business or community in this sect on
that IS not directly or indirectly interested
IN an early adjudication Of these claims,
and It is on account Of the large crcula-
tion Of The Post In the regions name
that the facts above mentioned are written
for publication. Marshall Burney.