The San Francisco call., 1897-08-21
PECULIAR CHER KEE LAND CASE
Thorns in the Faith of an adopted
Citizen Who Tries to Establish q
White Mans Town.

WICHITA, KANs, Aug. 20.-On the
records of the Circuit Court a Claremore,
1T, is registered a peculiar case-"Chero-
kee Nation VS.. A. }. Blackwell, charged
with treason for selling land 10 nom
citizens"
The case has been on the docket three
years, but each time it has been called it
has been continued by the nation. On
the 24lh day of September, 1884, Colonel
A. ]. Bl ackwell wealthy adopted citizen
Of The Cherokee Nation, began to survey a
portion OF his farm, one mile south OF
Chelsea, into town lots, preparatory to
starting the town OF d ivId. A newspaper
and large general store ware esta ablished
by Blackwell and he also began the erec-
tion of several large stone buildings.
People in the neig boring States soon
heard that town had been opened in the
Indian Territory where white men could
purchase real estate ana they began TO
flock in by hundreds.
The land was not sold to them as they
expected, but bond for a deed was sold
at $5 for each lot. This bond guaranteed
10 deed to them one lot In the city of
David, Cherokee Nation, one year after
the SAID a. J. Blackwell could give deed
for the same. This kind of paper was
binding in law. IL did not sell any land
ouly promised to do so at time when the
occupant had a right TO sell. No citlz n
OF the nation new owns land; they only
have the right of occupancy, and prefer
ence to take it as their allotment when
the land is finally divided.
As soon as the Cherokee authorities
learned that white people had begun TO
settle in the new town an investigation
was made OF BlackwelPs s method. They
soon learned that 1t was strictly in keep
,-;tI l. L., To oil I To
so would be ruInous TO their own Indian
towns. 1t was finally decided TO indict
Blackwell for treason and charge him
with selling the land to non-cl'lzens and
thus frighten the white men so that they
would refuse to further invest Ill the new
town, which in month alter its starting
had grown to be village of over 500 and
increasing rapidly. An indictment was
brought, and as an immediate trial would
be disastrous to their plans Blackwell was
held under guard.
Meanwhile Cherokee officials threat
ened TO confiscaie the houses and i'm
provements of the white people lnha Bit
Ing the new town. Reports were also
current that the ful!-bloods intended to
burn the town. Finally those who were
unfamiliar with the Indians decided that
it was best TO dispose of their property be.
fore they, too, were placed under arrest.
After several months under strong guard
at the home of a Cherokee official Black
well was taken to Claremore for trial, and
his case continued. The whites inhab.
iting his town had, in the meantime, be-
come thoroughly frightened, and nearly
all left for their homes in the States.
Finally, the cyclone OF some two months
ago completed the destruction. The
further continuance of the town was now
impossible, and Blackwell dropped hi.
idea OF creating a boom. The case has
been postponed from time 10 time unit
the present, when the Judge announced
that if no witnesses appeared for the
the prosecution when the case is called on
Monday next it will be dism Used.
Blackwell, who is SAID 10 be Immensely
wealthy, resides on his large farm and il
awaiting the time when the clause of the
Indian appropriation passed by the las
Congress abolishes tribal courts-January
L, 1S9S-when, he says, he with continue
the plan which he started three years age
to erect white mans town in an Indiar
country.
Several years ago Blackwell announced
his intention of building a grand ca
thedral or temple in the City of David
| which should be open to all religious
| bodies. HIS dream has never been real
| iZed, but some day, it is believed, he will
! nut his plans into execution.