Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-04-29
AN AGREEMENT REACHED
by the ChOctaws, Chickasaws and the
Dawes Commission.

NV hAANhhO
by the ChOctaws, Chickasaws and the
Dawes Commission.
At Atoka last week an agreement
was reached for the allotment and
disposition of the Choctaw and
Chickasaw nations. 1t was signed
by all members os the Dawes com.
mission, by all members of the
Choctaw nation except one who
was absent, owing to sickness. Two
of the Chiokasaws, p. S. Moseley
and N. V. Cheadle, refused to sign.
The agreement provides for the
retention of lands around schools.
churches, public buildings and re-
serves the strip Of land near Fort
Smith, and provides for townsites.
Negroes, residents of the Choctaw
nation, and freedmen shall receive
forty acres Of land each, the whole
to be taken from the lands of the
tribe. The agreement further pro.
vides for an equal division of lands
between members of the tribes
provided they take lands according
to values; all lands to be appraised;
appraisers TO be appointed, one by
the governor of each nation and
one by the Dawes commission OF
the secretary of the interior. Lands
shall be appraised according TO
original condition. excluding i'm
provements; to begin allotment as
soon as surveys are completed;
each allottee to have preference to
take property occupied or improv-
ed. All lands non-taxable while
title remains in original owner, but
not to exceed 21 years.
Each allottee shall select from
his allotment a homestead of 100
acres for which he shall have a
separate patent and such home
stead shall be inalienable for 81
years from date Of patent. This
provision shall also apply to Choc-
taw freedmen TO the extent OF his
allotment. After the selection of
homesteads the remainder of al
lotted lands shall be subject to
alienation, but not TO include any
former incumbrance or obligation.
One-fourth may be sold in one
year, one-fourth in three years and
balance in five years from date of
patent.
No allottee shall lease his allot
ment for a period to exceed five
years, and then without privilege
of renewal. All leases to be made
in writing and recorded in the U.
S. district clerks Office within
three months from date of execu-
tion.
All controversies between mem.
bers of tribes as to right to have
certain tracts of land shall be set
tied by the allotting commission.
The United States to put each al
lottee in peaceful possession of his
allotment and remove therefrom
all persons Objectionable.
All minerals except coal and
90 with allotments.
Rights to royalties on coal and as
phaltum shall be for tribal school
fund.
Patents TO lands to be drawn up
and signed by the governor Of the
nation to which shall be attached
the certificate of the secretary of
the interior that such patent is
drawn according to agreement.
TowNsITEs.
The townsite commission shall
be appointed, one by each nation
and one by the Dawes commission.
This commission shall plat towns
and file one copy with governor of
one with secretary Of in.
terror and one with United States
district clerk in district in which
Town is located.
Only town lots upon which there
are valuable improvements, other
han fences and tillage, and houses
shall be valued at the prices they
would bring in market, exclusive
Of improvements thereon. Own
srs of improvements on each lot
shall have right TO buy same al
y IL per cent OF market value
within go days from time notice is
served on him that lot is for sale.
II he purchases same he shall
within 10 days from date of pur.
,hase pay into the U. s. treasury
'ne-iourth Of purchase price and
in three annual install
nents. Patent TO be issued when
purchase price shall have been
)aid in. II The owner of improve
nents fail to purchase same, the |
OF with improvements shall be |
Iold at public auction to highest
bidder; owner Of improvements
hall receive 81 IL per cent Of re-
ieipts Of sale. The commission
laye right 10 reject any and all
lids. All lots upon which there
re no valuable improvements
vacant lots) shall be sold from