Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1900-10-18
CUTTING OF FIRE WOOD,
Misleading Statements Re-
garding Local Use of Fuel

! 20 'g bNtttf Wv NV WotA ~
formed people, much uneasiness
The matter seemed importan
enough for Phoenix to lay btior
Mr.. Shoenfelt, Indian agent. w
are glad we did, for he readil,
enough consented to explain tn,
situation, and gave the paper au
thoriiy to use his name
Mr.. Shoenfelt explained that tn,
law and the ruling of the authori
ties was intended to prevent the
destruction and waste Of timber
by people who had no nghtful
claim. Permits have never beer
refused to any one who intended
to improve their own property
with the timber growing upon land
which they had taken or would
take as their own allotment. The
intention is to prevent people from
taking timber to which they have
no claim whatever, and to prevent
people claiming land aud denuding
it of its valuable timber and then
deserting 1t for another claim. No
citizen has ever been prevented
from using the necessary timber
for fuel, nor the employee of cit
izen from doing the same thing,
whether this fuel is intended for
their own use or for sale to supply
the needs Of the community, and
80 long as the usual discretion is
used by wood choppers and wood
haulers in taking the tim Der which
reasonable man would take from
his claim for that purpose there
is no objection whatever. 1t is
the waste and the wanton destruc-
tion Of timber, particularly upon
lands which the person has no
right to which the officials are
looking after and will continue to
look after. Mr.. Shoenielt says
any person, citizen or employee of
citizen, who may wish to cut
timber for improvement purposes
or for fuel, may secure a permit
without any trouble whatever by
making application at his office,
and those who have taken their al.
lolments may use the timbt apon
the land they have selected with.
out any let or hindrance, whether
the timber is taken for the i'm.
provement OF their property OF for
fuel Those who have selected
their aliolments may make any
good use OF the timber upon that
land, but every person will be
held to strict account for the tim.
Der taken from unalotted lands and
especially where there is evidence
Of wanton or useless waste of the |
common property OF the nation.
The law which is the subject of |
so much distortion by persons who
have political OF other reasons for
interfering with the work Of the
officials, was passed primarily to
prevent a class who made it bus
iness TO come into Indian Terri
tory, cut, eaw and ship away the
property Of the tribes, and to pre-.
vent persons from moving upon a |
valuable timbered tract, disDosing |
of the timber and then going be.
fore the Dawes commission and &c.
lecting another piece Of land as
their allotment; there was no in.
tention to prevent the use Of the |
timber necessary for the improve.
ment and comfort OF the country
by those who had a right to the !
lands from which the timber was
to be taken.
1t seems absurd that these re.
ports should be believed by people,
for the simplest reasoning should
show them that the object OF the
government is the protection OF
their rights rather than the max.
ing Of additional burdens.
Every federal officer at Musko-
gee, and most OF the work Of the |
government is directed from this
place, is doing his best to secure a |
settlement Of the complex ques-
tions and give even justice to ev.
cry person as far as the law will |
authorize or permit them to do,
and many Of these criticisms are |
as grOuudless as the utterers are |
thoughtless. II you have any |
doubt upon any proposition and
can take the time to call upon the
officer, you will find that they are
more than ready to give their time
in explaining any complex question
and this is particularly true Of Mr.. |
Shoenielt.-Muskogee Phoenix.
Wagner Criminal Court Docket.
The following will give an idea
OF the work for November term of
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