Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1901-08-01
Creek Citizens Cannot Lease
Nor Sell For Five
Years.
SECRETARY'S RULE.
The Oil And Mineral Held to be
Realty Ard No Leases Will
be Approved by the Govern.
menl. Indians Cannot Die.
possess Themselves.

Muskogee Times.
The following 10 gwen to the
public by Mr.. ]. George Wright,
United States Indian Inspector
for Indian Territory, concerning
coal, oil or other leases in the
Creek nation:
The Greek agreement provides
that the lands Of the tribe, except
such az are reserved for townsite
or other purposes, shall be allot-
ted TO The citizens Of the said tribe
so ss to give each an equal share
Of the whole in value.
II further provides that 16O
acres at $3.50 per acre shall con-
stitule a standard allotment; that
If any citizen selects lands the APP
praised value Of which is ia ex-
cess Of such standard value, such
excess shall be charged against
the allottee in the future distribu-
ton Of the funds of the tribe; that
such citizen may pay the overplus
in money, but if be iails to do so
it shall be charged against him in
the future distribution of the funds
Of the tribe; but II there be not
sufficient funds TO make the al
lotments Of other citizens Of the
tribe equal to his, then the over
plus shall be lien upon the rents
and profits of his allotment until
paid.
The agreement further provides
that all the allotments made by
the commission to the hve civil
lied tribes prior to the ratifica-
tion Of such agreement, as TO
which there is no contest, are con.
irmedj that lands allotted under
such agreement shall not in any
manner whatsoever, or at any
time, be incumbered, taken OIL
sold to secure OF satisfy any debt
or obligation contracted or incur
red PRIOR TO the date of the deed tc
The nllottee, and that such lands
shall not be aliensble by the al.
lotlee or his heirs at any time be.
fore the expiration. Of Eve years
from lhe raiihcetion Of this agree,
ment, except with the apprc 'aI
the secreiary Of the interior
secion 81 Of said Creek agree
ment iurlber provides that Greek
citizens may rent their allotment
when selected, for a term not ex
ceeding one year, and after re
ceiving title thereto without re
strictiOn.
The honorable secretary of tn
interior has carefully considered
the question Of the right of tn,
Creek citizens to dispose of oil
coal or other mineral in o
under their prospective allol
menls, and also the leasing O
such allotment for any purpos
whatsoever, and has held that iu
asmuch that such oil or coal G
other mineral in place is part {
the realty, 4 Creek oilisen who a
tempts to make a lease by u
: provisions Of which he aisposes ,
such oil or other mineral, in G
under his allotment, illegally a
tempts to dispose of part Of Tia
fee. That when the trainers {
the agreement declared that a
allottee should not, before the Q,
piration of FIVE years from the IA
fcation Of said agreement, exceI
with the approval of the secretar
OF the interior, dispose Of bis land
they desired TO prevent the Crsel
from disposing OF the mineral j
or under their lands unless the
received a reasonable compensI
tion therefor, and authorized III
department to determine wheth,
or not such compensation is rea
enable and just. The department
therefore, that in case Of a WI
able oil we'll or other valuab
miperal deposils being discovers
!. IN or under any of the Greek lan'
! prior TO the hnal appraissment
! such laRds, the value of such mi
eral deposit will be taken cogni
anoe Of by the commission to Il
FIVE civilized tribes in appraisil
the lands, and should the laI
ie upon which such deposits exist
valued at more than the standa
value Of an allotment, the NATL
a would have lien upon the rer
J. and profits arising from such
!. lOtment until the excess had be
10 paid.
70 The department further 90
=, cindes that lease Of Geek lane
!. authorised by section 81 Of 81
agreement, tor purposes 9th
Y than extracting coal, oil OF 9th
of mineral substances. for peri