The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-27
RICHES FOR THE INDIANS
Coming Distribution of Wealth in
the Red Mems Territory.
Work of the mmix~ion Engaged In
RcOrEnnixinE It's Governments
Among the Five Trtbes-Thc Out
look Not Regarded as Hopeful.

Affairs in the Indian Territory are nov
in rather a chaotic condition in conse
quence of the reorganization Of its gov
eminent which is in progress. commits
sion, made up of three members with 30'
assistants is now engaged in making w
the final roll of the Indians of the differ
ent tribes, appraising their land and
placing them On their allotments. By
January /, 1901, this work will have beer
finished and the Indians will tie ready to
take cut 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
s., zoe, GOO.
so long as grass grows and water
Use made in 1892, the Cherokees, Creeks,
Seminoles, Chickasaws, ard Choctaws
were TO have for their own this tract Of
lana known as Indian Territory. So the
Five Tribes set up their government, eaca
holding to its own tribal forms. There
YVES not even an Indian Commissioner
sent to keep more or less paternal guar
OlluSnlp over tUeIl. but lue Whites Chlhe
in, intermarried with the squaws, cheate1
the easy going and indolent full bloods,
and gradually gained control Of the gov
eminent. Then the United States Gov
eminent stepped in to limit the power of
the whites and preserve the RICH Ct the
Indians
Despite disabilities imposed upon them
the whites kept pouring in, and. as their
number increased. they SO vehemently
demanded recognition that the Govern
ment decided on a readjustment in the in
terest of all concerned. The advances of
the commission first appointed to visit
the Five Tribes in 1893 were slow ard
hating though we'll planned. For three
years they could do nothing but ride over
the Territory and meet the leading In
dams, who promised to do much, but
never did anything. Then they sent out
the report that the Indians were hartor-
ing outlaws who committed crimes in
other States, that the full bioods were
being deceived as to the real intentions of
the United States toward their govern
ment and the half-bloods. who at that
time had control of the affairs of the In
dian government, were using every m ans
to thwart the purposes of the Commits
siGners, all OF which was true.
Congress replied to this appeal by delv-
there finding clause whereby 1t could
deprive the Indian courts of their jurisdic-
ton whenever 1t saw fit. Certainly now
was the opportune time, and an act was
forthwith PASSED. The Indians squirmed
and the fullblocds threatened to rise. Some
OF the old fullblood judges refused to quit
their benches, but finally they learned it
was of no use to kick; the act would be
carried cut. Other drastic measures were
suggested by the commission, and the In
dians began to make overtures. Little by
little they were persuaded to the steps
which have led to the adjustment of the
tribal rule. Though comprehending fully
that the change would accrue greatly to
their individual advantage the Indians held
tenaciously 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 go hard and SO loud against it
will be probably the richest savages in
the world. The country which will be
parceled out among them is larger than
the State of South Carolina, and OF great
beauty and variety. 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 graz
Ing for thousands OF sheep and cattle. Two
million dollars worth of coal was taken
out of Indian Territory last year. 1t is
estimated that the products Of the soil for
the year 1893 amounted to $4,000, 900. Be-
Rides these things petroleum in large guam
titles is known to lie beneath the soil, and
veins of lead and zinc are indi-
Gated by rich outcroppings which have
newer been mined. fine climate and
beautiful scenery make this country one of
the garden spots Of the nation.
All this goes to about 81 900 Indians,
l9. 9eS. s36 acres being divided about equal
~ among the different tribes There are
Indians and freedmen negroes whose an
cestors were or who are themselves freed |
slaves Of Indians) who have head rights !
In the different nations as follows: Cher |
okee freedmen. 1000; Cherokees. 90, 900;
Oelawares having head right in Cherokee |
1000: Creeks. 10000: Creek |
freedmen. 5000; Choctaws, 5000; Choc-
law freedmen, 5000; Chickasaws, 1000; |
chfckasaw freedmen, 5000; Seminoles, g.
100. The Cherokees have invested or lent !
o the United States 81, 635. 900. The Creeks
lave $1,000. 900 thus lent, the Chickasaws,
4 .36S 600. the Choctaws $5s6. 900, and the |
;eminoles 81. 500, 900. 1t is estimated by
Jams Bixby. Chairman of the Commission
o the Five Tribes, that each Cherokee
itizen will get 120 acres OF land of aver
ge value as his allotment, the Creeks will
et between 100 and 200 acres, the Semi
oles about $50, the Chickasaws and Choc-
avs about 500 acres each. Besides this