The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1902-12-25

During this same period some of
the worst gangs OF outlaws that
ever ravaged country have found
refuge in that nation.
Vinita, in the Cherokee Nation,
has long been one Of the country's
leading cattle shipping towns. apd
it's neighbor, Clarsmore. foity
miles west. called statehood cor.
vention for Dec. 8 this year. in
that same Cherokee country, hid.
den in the rough, fiinty hills thai
border Arkansas, live full-blooas
who cannot talk English and who
still gain preoarious livelihood
by hunting.
From 1898 to 1902 the commits
sion has labored. Tts members
have seen the Indian population
In the Territory rise 10 total ct
more than so, 600, while more than
$50, 900 whites have settled within
ils boundaries. In 1898 The Choc-
taws and Chickasaws concluded a
treaty with the commission. year
after the small Seminole n
had treated. In August, 1905 e
Cherokees and Creeks f
agreed u give up tribal exis
as soon as the deaails Of allos
and rearrangemen, could be m
pleted.
The commissions work. b az
er Is by no means completed. 11.
zIine queetions remain TO be 81
tied. A work Of great magnl lz4se
that is not yet finished is the -
ing up Of the tribal rolls. Here
have been met fraud, ignorance
and hindrances. citizenship has
come to have tangible CONNER
cial value, where citizen is likely
to come into possession of from 100
TO 800 acres Of land, and those
whites who have long been zstllsd
In The Territory sre rsIuzIzzI =
depart. aass pI them haFz HTzz.
snly claimed citizenship aaa hz4e
attempted 70 prove a. To lEeed
slaves Of Indians we're gives Ill.
zenship in The tribes after the
civil war. and now some hundreds
OF negroes are trying hard 70 prove
thst their parents we're freedmen
under the citizenship provision.
Besides this. there are grave
matters connected with the selsb.
lishmsnt Of ; territorial govern
ment TO be established. What
email be done With the valuable
j and asphalt deposits nou held
and leased By the tribes acting 81
commercial organisations I What
embargo shall Be laid on lks sals
OF The lands when they ere trans.
ferFsd TO the individual owners
How are the school ana lkezII6a
systsms 10 be rsarraneed = ssz4s
both Indiana and whites = hsas
advantagef Hupposlng tie zaa'sA
Territory and 0klahoma so + II.
eluded In one Territory, hoH aFs
The peculiar needs Of those rho
still live In the old full.bo zlgIs
TO be mei1 And whets ie shs zsal
OF territorial govarnmenl e = IS.
tabllshedf win the lmposllIen Of
; territorial governmsns = he
present time result III forcing
lhess tribes toward United s|zle
citizenship too last. anS result. -
The President has wisely warned.
in preventing their going forward
ct allY
The leaven Of education Il
spreading amone he lt|t<s. Grad.
ualea Of the grsat government
schools. and mixad hlooaz mo
have penetrated 10 ths uAIxazHIsIea
ere taking their plaoeh ts leaders
In the movement toward az.zIsz
nation. Born % he in1'za ~.
udIee against white inaosnez ed
ways, then trained % zee Ehz point
Of view Of The whites II thsIz eel.
lsees and universities. ihezz nsa
are standing by eager 70 hsIn IsF.
ward any mosamsnt than sanda -
advance their people s1#afa 80.
uomlo independents. II them