Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1902-04-10
DEFENDS HIS NAME.
ID. w. c. Duncan Denies Charges Of
Fraud Against Him in connec-
tion With Dawson and Shoe
make Cases.

Fraud Against Him in connec-
tion With Dawson and Shoe
make Cases.
EDITOR CHIEFTAIN:-In view of
the ruthless freedom with which
the name Of d. w. G. Duncan has
been used Of late in connection
with certain old citizenship cases
which ale now pending for review
before the Dawes commission, be
feels that it would be unfair to his
friends, as we'll as unjust to him.
self, il he should offer no word of
remons,rance, and, by means Of
an exceptional silence, tacilly ac-
knowledge the truth Of that die.
graceful charge which has been
lodged against him by the
unscrupulous tongues Of detration.
1t was his fortune, near twenty
years ago, to hold the Office of
clerk Of Cherokee Citizenship com
mission. Several decisions of that
tribunal al hitting certain persons
to the rights OF Cherokee citizen.
ship are now questioned on the
alleged ground Of corruption, to.
wit: that the clerk received GER.
tain moneys which he used in OBJ.
tanning those judgments contrary
"A fha wsinh' of't.a s-,il@---
He is well aware that those who
would prefer to see him convicted
Of this crime, declaration of his
innocence on his part, however
solemn, would be wholly unavail.
ing; to such therefore we make no
appeal. He believes, though, that
there are great many people who,
having heard of the matter, are
magnanimous enough to withhold
their judgment until a proof of his
guilt has been produced sufficient.
ly convincing. 1t is to these, and
especially those Of them who are
willing to be classed among his
friends, that be takes proud
pleasure in affirming upon his
honor that this charge Of corrup.
tion is, in the whole and in the de.
tail, is absolutely false-an arrant
fabrication; and that the testi.
mony produced by the nations
attorneys in support OF this charge
before the Dawes commission was
lie not a whit less wicked than
the worst that was ever thrown
of from the tongue of the devil.
1t is hard to believe that il was
ever the intention of the Cherokee
government, in employing at.
torneys 10 defend the rights of the
Cherokee people against the false
claims Of citizenship, that they
should descend 10 a mode of prac.
tics, moi only damaging to the
good name OF respectable citizens,
bur thoroughly disgraceful to the
nation itself
We might stop here; but we
cannot persuade ourseli TO close
this communication without fret
mention of few things in |
connection with these oases-we |
allude to the Dawson, and the
Shoemake cases.
When these cases we're tried be.
tore the Cherokee commission, the
evldence was taken down in writ.
Ing directly from the lips Of the
Witnesses aud as nearly verbatim
as practicable. AT the close OF the
rial, this written testimony along
with the pleadiogs, wac respect.
'nliy bunehed, and, together with
The Judgments recorded, carefully
deposited for safekeeping in the
executive Office, and Was left there
u the custody Of the principal
'hief. Now, as much as nineteen
'esrs aiterwards--just few days
these same cases came
~ for review before the Dawes
commission, there was not a pa
'er in them 10 be found except the
'are record Of the judgment, and a
olilary lillle piece Of the plead.
pgs which purporled ic bs a mo.
.on for a new trial.
The question now arises as to c
h 0 Is responsible Tor this sweep
lg diminutIon Of the records. TN. Z
oubledly the responsibility must I