The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1898-08-08
ABOUT HOLDING LoTs.

trict or the Indian Territory,
says, in a recent interview. that
while in Washington lately he
was informed that Commission
er of Indian Affairs Jones had
issued a circular letter in
which he stated that improve
ments placed on vacant town
lots after the passage of the
Curtis bill would amount to
nothing, and would not hold
the lots; that the bill conteIn-
plated no such thing as the
building of houses after its
passage. In this Senator Jones
of Arkansas agrees, so says
Mr.. Soper. If this be true,
there is going to be serious
trouble. But we are unable to
find any provision in the law
that is susceptible of such con-
struction as the above. The
provision covering Town
sites" in the Choctaw-Chicka-
saw agreement, in reference to
this particular question, says:
When said towns are so laid
out, each lot on which perma-
nent, substantial and valuable
improvements, other than
fences, tillage and temporary
houses, have been made, shall
be valued by the commission
provided for the nation III
which the own is located at
the price fee-silnple title
to the same would bring in the
market at the time the valua-
ton is made, but not to include
| in such value the improve
ments thereon. The owner of
the improvements on each lot
shall have the right to buy one
residence and one business lot
at so ! er centum Of the ap.
praised value of such improved
property, and the remainder Of
such improved property at 62 IL
per centum of the sid market
value within sixty days from
date of notice served on him
that such lot is for sale.
There is not a word in the
above that sustains the con-
tention of Soper. Jones ct al,
and If it is anywhere in the
Curtis bill we are unable to
ind it. Section Is of the Curtis
bill says:
Ali town lots shall be apprais-
ed by said commission at their
true nalue, excluding improve
ments; and separate appralse-
ments shall be made of all i'm.
provements thereon. x x
The owner of the improve
ments upon any town lot. other
than fencing, tillage or tempo
rary buildings, may deposit II
the United States treasury, St.
Louis, Mo-, one-half of such
appraised value: 10 per centum
within two months and 15 per
centum more within six months
after notice of appraisement,
and the remainder in three
equal annual installments there
after, depositing with the secre
taly of the interior one receipt
for each payment, and one with
the authorities of the tribe. and
such deposit shall be deemed a
tender to the tribe of the pur-
chase money for such lot. x x =
All town lots not improved as
aforesaid shall belong to the
tribe, and shall be In like man.
ner appraised, and, after ap-
proval by the secretary y of the
interior, and due notice, sold to
the highest bidder at public
auction by said commission,
but not for less than their ap-
praised value, unless ordered
by the secretary of the interior /;
and purchasers may in like
manner make deposits of the
purchase money with like effect
as in case of improved lots.
Here it says plainly that the
owner of the improvements up
on any town lot, by depositing
the assessed value of such lot
in the United States treasury
at st. Louis. may buy said lot.
Not g. word is said about i'm
orounr,nontr rolonad on rrnnnnA