The evening times., 1900-03-13
CHIEF OF THE SHAWNEES
Tecumseh'S Grandson Here to Press
an Indian Claim.
Secretary Hitchcock TO Be Asked for
Aid in Securing Possession Of Ger
Assert That Their Property Was
Taken From Them by the Whites.

Wah-pah-me-a -pe-to. commonly known
as Big Jim," Chief of the band of Shaw
nee Indians, and a grandson of Tecumseh,
arrived in this city today, accompanied by
his interpreter, Joe Blackburn one of the
tribe, and NJ p. Bentley, agent OF the
Kickapoos who is here endeavoring TO
further the claim of the Shawnees, and
have a statement of their grievances pre-
sented before Congress.
big jim" who does not speak English,
explained to Times reporter through his
interpreter that his mission TO Wasnlng-
ton was to ask the Secretary of the lnte-
rior to aid him in securing possession OF
certain lands in the State of Texas that
were granted TO his tribe and their allies,
the Delawares, by Sam Houston.
The grant, it is claimed, had been pre-
viousiy made to the Indians by Mexico and
was ratified by President Houston, and
confirmed by the Congress of the Provis-
ional Government OF Texas.
This claim, known as the Service
Grant" comprises tract of land twenty
miles square, and was given to the In
dians for the service rendered by them to
the Republic Of Texas in reconciling and
subduing the refractory and hostile bands
which then infested that country.
big Jim" is about seventy years or age
and is a magnificent specimen OF his race.
II is said that he is virtually the king OF
all the Indians of the country by right OF
pedigree and inheritance.
The history of the claim Is said by the
agent. Mr.. Bentley, to be a most intricate
Ii
and interesting one The grant as oIlgl-
nally made by Mexico was in earnest OF a
stipulation previously made by that gov
ernment TO pay their allies, the Shawnees
and the Delawares, sum OF money Tor
| every scalp of a hostile Indian brought in
/ by them. The bargain was faithfully kept
/ by Mexico. but il wss found, after a short
/ period. tha; the immense number OF scalps
procured by its Indian allies necessitated
the payment of a sum Of money Whlch
threatened to bankrupt the treasury
! Hence the grant of land above described
was made 10 the Indians and was held by
| them until The breaking out OF the clNll
war Al this time the Shawnee and the
! pelawares always faithful allies OF the
! Government. enlisted almost 10 man in
| the Union Army and rendered ethcIent an"
valuable service as soldiers scouts etc.
When they returned to their State. how
/ ever tnGN iOuNu tUdl NHti iaLHe Aa.
faded from them" as the Indians them
selves EXPRESS il: that is. the white settlers
had taken possession OF them. They were
! obliged 10 move further north 20 an arid
: and non productive country bordering upon
/ Oklahoma Territory. which they az pres
/ ent inhabit The tribe is very poor. 1t Is
f, said. as It is found almost impossible tc
obtain a bare subsistence from the arid
ground either for agricultural or grazing
purposes.
Various officials of the Government. 1t Is
! said. have expressed themselves as inter
/ ested in the case of Rig Jim" and prom
inent Senator in an interview with Agent
! Bentley expressed his intention OF pre-
I senting the matter TO Secretary Hitchcocl
as deserving every consideration.
The claim il is said. will further be laid
/ before The Senate and House Committees
| on Indian Affairs and every effort made fol
a satisfactory adjustment