The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1900-10-15

kuOW IuAt tHOr6 pe&c3Dl6s iHN-hulu
ing citizens, who were endeayoring
to ascertain their rights in the
courts, were in no sense O menace
to the peace and welfare Of the In
dians. The Indians in the city of
Ardmore constitute not one per
cent of the population. 1t is plain,
therefore, that these documents
were but a scheme to intimidate
the inhabitants of Ardmore and
force them to comply with the de-
mands of the Indian authorities.
Armed with these papers. Capt.
Jack Ellis and his police pounced
upon the city of Ardmore in all
the pride, pomp and circumstance
of glorious war! Accompanying
them were Mr.. Reams, the tribal
collector, and Mr.. McMurray, a
gouger, whose intention it was to
receive the money which the people
should be terrorized into paying.
Shoenfelt, the agent, sent tele-
gram to Ellis instructing-him not
to execute the order of removal
where parties offered to settle with
the Chickasaw nation, but that the
places Of business must be closed
and remain closed during the ad-
justment. Ellis and the police
closed the places of business, in
forming the parties, however.
where Reams and McMurray could
be found, and that their stores
would be re-opened as soon as a
settlement was had.
No better scheme could have
been DEVISED for the extortion of
money, for the season was the bus
lest of the year and Saturday the
busiest day of the week, and the
report that these houses were clos.
ed would create feeling of uneas-
iness among the creditors of the
merchants. 1t was supposed that
a man would comply with almost
any demand rather than suffer
such consequences; especially as
the persons engaged in closing the
stores were financially irresponsi-
BILE, and a dollar could not be
squeezed out of them with q COM
press.
1t is easy to see that it was mon
ey the authorities were after. If a
certain amount of money was
paid, the peace and welfare of the
Indians ceased to trouble the offic.
cials. One party was informed
that the payment of $40 would be
a sufficient recompense for his in
reference with the peace and well
fare of the Indians, and another
was told that $160 would answer
the purpose.
AS might be expected, Judge
Townsend promptly granted an in
junction against these proceedings.
II is, however, greatly to be re-
GREETED that some of the merchants
in their terror bought their peace
of Reams and McMurray. / hardly
suppose such scenes will ever be
in the Chickasaw nation,
and earnestly trust they will not.
Men who firmly. steadfastly and
discreetly contend for their rights
rarely fail to secure them. Pro-
ceedings like that at Ardmore are
SO high h-handed, and evidence such
utter disregard of the plainest
right of the citizen that the, temp
tatiOn to>meet force with force is
strong, and would perhaps be JUS
tifiable, but that would not be for
the best. The citizen lean obtain
his rights in an orderly and legal
method through the courts. The
courts can always be depended on
to do what is just and right, and,
though they fail to do what in our
opinion is right, it is the duty of |
Ill good citizens to cheerfuliy sub |
nit, for the courts are the final ar
oiters of all controversies. ri
'ther attempts are made TO close
mems places of business the citi-
gen should quietly submit, and. if
he court is within reach, appeal
% it for redress; If not bring suit
It once to replevy and secure his
property. If carried from the Ter
'itory, he should 60 peaceably and
luietly, and return on the next
rain and bring suit for damages
The town authorities in the va
ious cities have jurisdiction over
'ersons and property within their