The Van Buren press., 1897-09-18
WATTS HUsf so.
The aeefsian HaHzea DeMn Prom Wash
iugtoa l. Aysla.t the IHtrader~

The minis q fke Uzay interested
people are = last 81 81 res1 regarding
TIE intruder quzsasa L the Indian
Territory , tn following dseisioa
hsndad dOwn By " W L Jones. C
The Indian ozee a. Washington:
Chief among ths intrzdzrs Vas v.
J Watts. g Wagner. z1i the case q
Robinson vs. Watts has attracted much
attention
Watts i quite an extensive Land
owner IN the Creek and Cherokee
Nations. owning large body q land
known as the Watts addition Of
Wagner.
Following : the letter received b.
Agent Wisdom from Mr.. Jones.
DTtkTxEz7 or III ISTEEl0z
UFsIcE - lSDzAE AFFAIR !
wAsHExsT0x. Aug - iss7.
. y. vision Ezz. [. : Indzza Agezz Tnloa
AgHleEs NlsEagee. IL Ts.-
SRI have received your report o.
August 13. 1897. relative 70 the con-
trOTersy between William Robinson, a
citizen Of the Greek Nation. and " J.
Watts. an intruder IN that nation. and
cllzirz41. e citizenship IN the Ghero-
kes Nation.
The facts IN the case seem 70 b that
Mr. Robinson enclosed certain lands Of
the public domain Of the Cherokee
Nation which at the time Of his taking
possession thereof were not enclosed or
occupied BY any citizen Of the nation :;
that watts had. for the purpose of out
side speculation. purchased this land
from a licensed trader in the Greek
Nation. and had ii surveyed into lots.
etc. b. a person employed by him and
paid out Of his own funds for the
purpose. who had no authority from
the Creek Nation or any other person
with power 70 give such authority 10
make such surveys. Watts claims the
right as if he were a citizen Of the
Cherokee Nation 70 settle upon and
thus speculate in the lands Of the Creek
Nation.
In your report you hold that Watts
has 10 authority TO hold this land or to
speculate in ii. even If ne had purchased
the same or the right to occupy the
same Of a recognized citizen Of the
Creek Nation. and that Robinson is en-
titled 10 the land as a citizen Of the
nation.
Your findings in this case are fully |
concurred in By this office. The status
d Mr. Watts in the Indian Territory is
nothing more or less than that of an
The fact that his application
or citizenship in the Cherokee Nation
s pending before the courts gives him
10 more right TO enjoy the benefits of
he property Of the Cherokee Nation or
my Of the privileges of citizen of the
cherokee Nation in the Indian Territory
han any white man would possess until
hose rights Of citizenship are decided
n his favor. Even if Mr.. Watts were
| fully recognized citizen of the Chero-
zee Nation he would have no right to
speculate in property of the Creek
Nation, and under existing law he is
liable to prosecution and penalty pro
yided for unauthorized settlements of
indian lands.
You are therefore instructed to re-
move Mr.. Watts from the Creek
Nation and to lay all the facts in the
;ase before the U. S. attorney for the
lorthern division of the Indian Terri.
ory, with request that he institute pro-
'eedings against him under Sec. 211S of
he Revised Statutes, prohibiting persons
rom making settlement on any lands
belonging, secured or granted by treaty
With the United States to any Indian
ribe, or surveying or attempting to
urvey such lands, etc. for which
'enalty of 81 900 is provided.
The fact that the town of Wagner is
.lleged to be an incorporated town
would not give any person the right in I
'iolation of law to survey any part of I
he Creek Nation, as has been the case
n this matter.
For the information of the district
ttorney | return herewith the en-
l0sures to your report.
Very respectfully,
w. A. JONES,