The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-11-21
RICHEST OF ALLSAVAGES
COMING DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH
IN INDIAN TERRITORY.

The Work OF the Commission That IL Re-
organizing Its Govcrnment--Land and
Money Are to BE Divided Among Five
Tribcs-How the Outlook is Viewed.
Affairs in the Indian Territory are
now in rather a chaotic condition in
consequence of the reorganization of
its government, which is in progress.
A commission made up of three MEM
bers with 900 assistants is now en-
gagged in making up the final roll OF
the Indians of the different tribes. ap-
praising their land and placing them
on their allotments. BY Jan. l. 1901.
this work will have been finished and
the Indians will be ready to take out
their naturalization papers as citizens
of the United States. To bring this to
a conclusion has involved many years
of labor and the expenditure of ST.
100000.
so long as grass grows and water
runs" by the terms of this nations
promise made in 1882, the Cherokee
Creeks, Seminoles, Chickasaws and
Choctaws were to have for their own
this tract of land known as Indian
Territory. So the Five Tribes set up
their government, each holding to its
own tribal forms. There was not even
an Indian Commissioner sent to keep
more or less paternal guardianship
over them. But the whites came in.
intermarried with the squaws, cheated
the easy-going and indolent full-bloods
and gradually gained control of the
government. Then the United States
Government stepped in to limit the
power of the whites and preserve the
rights of the Indians.
Despite disabilities imposed upon
them, the whites kept pouring in, and,
as their number increased, they so We
hemently demanded recognition that
the Government decided on a readjust-
ment in the interest of all concerned.
The advances of the commission first
appointed to visit the Five Tribes in
1898 were slow and hating. though
well planned. For three years they
could do nothing but ride over the
Territory and meet the leading In
dians, who promised to do much, but
never did anything. Then they sent
out the report that the Indians were
harborlng outlaws who committed
crimes in other States, that the full
bloods were being deceived as to the
real intentions of the United States
toward their government. and the half
bloods. who at that time had control
of the affairs of the Indian govern
ment, were using every means to
thwart the purposes of the Commits
sioners, all of which was true.
Congress replied to this appeal by
delving into the treaties with the In
dians and there finding a clause where
by 1t could deprive the Indian courts of
their jurisdiction whenever 1t saw fit.
Certainly now was the opportune time,
and an act was forthwith passed. The
Indians squirmed and the full-bloods
threatened to rise. Some of the old
full-blood judges refused to quit their
benches. but finally they learned it was
Of no use to kick-the act would be
carried out Other drastic measures
were suggested by the commission, and
the Indians began to make overtures.
Little by little, they were persuaded
to the steps which have led to the
abolishment Of the tribal rule. Though
comprehending fully that the change
would accrue greatly to their individ-
ual advantage the Indians held tena-
ciously to the traditions of the tribes
and surrendered them only when they
saw the new movement inevitable.
When the division is made those who
have fought so hard and so loud
against it will be probably the richest
savages in the world. The country
which will be parcelled out among
them is larger than the State Of South
Carolina, and of great beauty and va
riety Most of the soil is very fertile.
The water supply is ample. A belt of
splendid oak forest thirty miles in
width runs through the Territory. and
many other valuable woods are found
there. Rich pasture lands afford fat
grazing for thousands OF sheep and
cattle. Two million dollars worth Of
coal was taken out of Indian Terri
tory last year. 1t is estimated that the
products of the soil for the year 1898
amounted to $6,00O,0O0. Besides these
things, petroleum in large quantities
is known to lie beneath the soil and
valuable veins Of lead and zinc are
indicated by rich outcroppings which
have never been mined. A fine climate
and beautiful scenery make this coun-
try one Of the garden spots OF the
nation.
! All this goes to about $1,000 Indians.
19,99s,S36 acres being divided about
equally among the different tribes.
There are Indians and freedmen (ne-
groes whose ancestors were or who are
themselves freed slaves Of Indians)
who have head rights in the different
nations as follows: Cherokee freed
men, 1000; Cherokees, 10000; Della
, wares having head right in Cherokee
nations, 1000; Creeks. 10000; Creek
freedmen, 5000; Choctaws, 10000;
Choctaw freedmen. 5000: Chickasaws.
1000; Chickasaw freedmen. 5000; Sem