The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-26
FREEDMEN READY TO FIGHT.
TROUBLE OVER TIE CHEROKEE
PAYMENT RENEWED.

The Bcneflcisries nccnsed Over At
tnchment Proceedings Brought ny
Creditors In order to Compel the
Negroes 10 Use Their Checks From
the Government TO Pay ola Debts.
A Military Company on the Scene
and May Have 20 Act.
Washington June 25.-Trouble has brol-
en- out afresh at Fort Gibson, l. T., where
the Cherokee freedmen payment has just
been resumed and the Washington author
tiles have been appealed to for assistance
in averting further trouble.
News of the disturbance came officially
in kilograms received to-day by Secretary
Bliss. supplemented by similar advices
received by the attorney general and the
secretary OF war.
Gen. Frank c. Armstrong, of the Dawes
commission, which was Just leaving Fort
Gibson when the trouble occurred, Joined
with Indian Inspector Mclaughlin, who
is supervising the payment, in wiring the
following TO Secretary Bliss: Consider
able excitement exists among the negroes
on account of arrests made by the United
States marshals. Negroes are armed and
are threatening to attack the marshals.
The troops here are able to cope with
the situation and preserve the peace.
If the commander has not
authority to patrol the town and to exer-
else control over the excited negroes seri-
GUS trouble may occur. The presence and
action of the military this evening alone
prevented bloodshed The payment has
progressed quietly. but those disturbances
are outside the lines and are between tho
negroes and deputy marshals Prompt and
decided action Is recommended, with au-
thority to remove disorderly persons and
dlsarm all except United States officials.
The United States district attorney and
United States marshals have wired the
Attorney General. +. c. Armstrong.
Mclaughlin,
Inspector"
The following telegram. dated at Fort
Gibson, late last night, was also received
from Inspector Mclaughlin: agent Wis
dom disbursed $142l1 OF the fourth INSTALL
ment of the Cherokee freedmen's fund
to-day The payment progressed regu-
larly Some trouble occurred this after
noon outside the pay ground limits between
the freedmen and deputy marshals through
the latter executing processes of the Uni
ted States district court against certain
benehciaries requiring them to pay the in
debtednesses Of certain creditors after re-
ceiving their check and leaving the pay
grounds Two shots were fired by some
persons In the crowd, thought TO have been
directed at the deputy marshals. No per-
son was injured, except one freedman,
who was struck in the jaw with a rifle by
a deputy. Considerable excitement pre-
vailed for time. but It soon subsided and
no further trouble Is apprehended.
Mclaughlin, Inspector"
Secretary Bliss forwarded the advices
TO the secretary OF war for his action, and
wired the inspector that he had done so.
and reminding him that the troops were
on the ground. stated that order must be
maintained at all hazards.
The individual beneficiaries of the pay
ment are making positive protests and a
telegram was received here to-day from a
woman at Fort Scott, Kan, as follows:
Am a Cherokee freedman, guardian for
my children. Money deposited I'm bank
at Fort Scott. B. Il. Ware attached 1t
through fraud. How can get possession.
Bette Cash"
She Is only one Of a number In similar
straits. The department Is endeavoring
to see that the negroes rights are not in
Vaded.