The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-11-27

Curtis act"
Under the title: ''Torturing and Burn
ing Of Seminoles in Oklahoma" the Ie-
port says: early in January last Mrs.
Laird white woman, was brutally muir
dered in a shocking manner near the VII
lage of Maud, in Pottawatomie county,
Okla, adjacent to the line of the Semi
mole nation. Shortly afterwards a mob
collected and seized two Seminols Indians,
named Lincoln McGeesy and Palmer Mar
tin, and put them TO death by burning,
as the perpetrators Of the murder Of Mrs.
Laird.
o Upon receipt of Information Of this
great crime, Governor Barnes of Oklaho-
ma, was at once directed by telegraph to
cooperate with the officials OF the Indian
department and the department. OF. JUS
tice to quiet all disturbances, and arrest
and bring to justice all parties guilty
of violation Of the law on either side.
As it appeared from the reports that
there was danger of an uprising of the
Indians because OF their belief that the
boys who had been so cruelty and unlaw-
fully put to death were innocent of the
murder of Mrs. Laird, on the same day
d telegram was sent to the secretary Of
war requesting that sufficient force of
troops be Immediately sent 70 Wewoka
in the Seminole nation, and to such points
on the border between that nation and
Oklahoma as might be deemed necessary
to preserve the LSlce and protect life and
property.
ITO the latter dispatch the secretary
of war made prompt response. but before
troops could be moved further informa-
ton was received giving assurance that
their presence on the ground was IN
necessary. Governor Barnes Of Oklaho-
ma was also prompt and energetic, and
even before the receipt Of department
kilograms 70 him had taken vigorous
steps to ferret out the perpetrators of the
crime committed upon the two boys and
to bring them to justice. He offered a
reward Of 81. 600 for their arrest and con-
viction which was the largest reward
authorized by the laws of the territory.
1T Is believed that the mob embraced
nearly all the white people of that neigh
bor4lood and numbered about 800 persons,
and as they were all interested in shield
ing themselves. as wei as their neishbors,
IT was extremely difficult 20 get any in
formation that would lead 10 their iden-
tifcation. The Indian agent and his
clerks and the Indian police, as well as
the officials of the department of justice.
have striven diligently TO ferret them
out. but without satisfactory results. i
IS understood that few indictments have
been found. hut no advice has been re-
ceived as TO the strength of the pros'
upon wilich they are based, or as to the
probabilities of conviction. The crime
however was a monstrouS one. and the
perpetrators ought not to so UNPUBLISHED
Al reports now seem to agree that one
Of the victims. Lincoln McGeesy, a young
married man of respectable family. was
innocent of the crime with which he MAS
,saarged-the murder Of Mrs. Lsird-and
that the guilt OF the other. Palmer Mar
tin. has never been proven. and that It
is by no means certain that sc was
guilty
by the act Of congress approved JUly
/. 1898 GO stat. 5e7, 625l. making aHpro-
priatious for sundry civil expenses OF <he
government fer the next fiscal year. IL =
provided that 10 euablestne secretary Of
the interior TO cause an examination and
investigation TO he made Of ouiraCes and
injuries alleged 70 have been perpetrated
on individual Indians belonging 20 the
Seminole trIhe by an armed mob or band
OF gaWless persons who invaded The Semi
mole country during the months OF De
cembor 1887. and January. 1875. II upon
such examination and Investigation Il
shall appear that outrases and injuries
have been so perpetrated and that tie
United states is under treaty obligations
20 pay for such outraEes and Injuries, h
shall ascertain the amount which should
be properly paid such Indian or indians
or their legal heirs or representatives.
and pay such sum or sums As ? D may
deem Just and reasonable. and for such
purpose a sum not exceeding S2ooc5 j.
hereby appropriated
The United States Indian Inspector for
the Indian Territory has been directed 70
make inquiry touching the injuries alleged
TO have been perpecra-ed upon the Indians
belonging 70 the Seminole tribe and as
soon AZ MS report mas been received ar
ton VIII De taken thereon by the depart
ment. in accordance with the require
ments OF the sc: above quoted