The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1899-05-22

MONDAY, MAY 2s, 1899.


mer for the Chickasaw nation and
the latter sfor tho Choctaw nation
have entered upon their official duties.
They express themselves that their
official job is long lone and viii last
at least five years.
Their PER diem is So each, and 50
each I for subsistence per day, with
travelling expenses.
THE LEADER is in possession Of a
copy OF the rules issued by the secrc-
tary Of the interior by which the com
missioners are TO be guided
The FIRST duty Of the commi sioners
is to lay out the towns within the
ChoctRw nation having 200 or more
inhabitants residinF therein, survey
ing and plating the Same. These
plats are TO be made in quadruple
and submitted 10 the secretary Of the
interior for his approval through
the Indian office, and must show the
names OF the owners Of the improve
ments on the lots, their value and char
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can proceed farther, these plats must
bear The signature of approval OF the
secretary Of the interior When the
plat is thus approved the commission
ers are then TO proceed to appraise and
Ak the value OF the lots exclusive of
the improvements. These improve
ments must be Of a substantial nature,
other than fences and tillage. which
are not TO be treated as improvements.
After the appraisement has been com
pleted, the commissioners must give
notice by publication in some news
paper, posting up notices and by per-
sonal service on seach owner of such
lot improvements that the appraise-
ment has been completed, This notice
must recite the fact that such claim
ant must make application TO purchase
the lot on which his improvements
are located TO the United States In
dian agent at Muskogee within 60 days
at the price fixed for the lot. Where
there are contests for the improve
ments on a lot the comm ssionors
hear testimony and render judg.
ment. Ten days is allowed for an
appeal from the decision Of the com
uissioners TO the commissioner OF
indian affairs, and the same time %
appeal from the commissioners TO the
secretary OF the interior II VIII be seen
from this that appeals do not lie
through the general land Office &C they
did in the Oklahoma townsite cases.
but they must reach the secretary OF
the interior through the Office Of the
commissioner of Indian affairs. Con
testants are required to file their
claims for improvements with the
townsite commissioners within ten
days after notice that the apprais. ,
,nent has been completed
When a claimant has been awarded
by the commissioners the improve
ments on lot he has the preference
right over all others Of purchasing the
lot on which the improvements are
located of the Indian agent at the
valuation fixed upon it, by paying the
amount in three years in three annual
payments.
Where the appraisement has been
completed the townsite commissioners
must, within ten days thereafter,
transmit TO the Indian agent the book
or books containing the record Of their
action, together with a list Of the lots
upon which the ownership thereof is
being contested.
The commissioners are also required
TO locate cemeteries for the towns and
the towns are required 10 pay TO the
Indian agent the sum OF $40 per acre
TO be used for such purposes
In case claimants do not comply or
default in payment for lots on which
improvements have been made, the
Indian agent must notify the towRsite
commissioners Of the fact, who must
proceed 10 advertise and sell such lots
at public auction.
The commissioners are rot required
TO appraise unimproved lots, but TO
sell them at public auction 10 the
highest bidder. The townsite com
missioners are not authorized TO issue
deeds or patents TO town lots as was
the case in Oklahoma. They are EN-,
powered simyly to determine the right
OF claimants TO lots upon which inn
provements stand.
The commissioners are also eqaired
te reserve from appraisement and sale
ali lots in towpSites occupied by min
ers actually engaged in mining, and
enough land TO be used for homes for
miners as in their Judgment shall be
sufficient for such purpose. Also land
for buildings and machinery for min
ing purposes.
For the lots on which there are no
improvements in townsites which are
located or may be hereafter located by
the commission, and which are 10 be
sold from time TO time at public auci
tion. the bidding for them does not
seem TO be restricted 10 any class Of
people and anyone .desiring 10 speeul
late in nnimproyed town lots can do