Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-02-07
CH|[F SEEKS REDRESS
Head of the Creek Nation OF In
dams Says His People Are
Defrauded.
Made Victims OF the Land In.
vestment Companies in
the Territory.
Long Time Leases With Provi.
sion for Deed Secured Tor
Little Money.

Washington, Feb. 7-Chief Pleasant
Porter of the Creek nation. is IN WASH
ington on twofold mission. He desires
! the ratification of a supplemental
| treaty with the Creeks, and is also anx-
| ious that some action be taken by the
interior department to put stop 10
the Wholesale leasing of Creek lands by
the five investment companies that are
operating in the territory. According
to statements made by Chief Porter to
Mr. w. A. Jones, commissioner OF In
dian affairs, these spectators have Sc
cured already nearly 100000 acres of
Creek lands under leases that practi-
cally amount to deed. They are
working on plan that threatens the
absorption by the investment compa-
of the Creeks. In long conference
with Commissioner Jones the Creek
chief explained the situation in detail.
He presented copies of the leases that
are being entered into by the hundreds
and explained the method by which, he
declared, the investment companies.
taking advantage of the Indians will
inYness to sell anything for a little
ready money, are getting control of
thousands of acres of most valuable
lands In the Creek nation.
The lease exhibited by Chief Porter is
OF the ironclad variety. 1t provides that
the Indian shall leave all rights, titles
and interest in their lands to the in
vestment company for period of
ninety nine years at a fixed sum per
annum. The lease then recites that the
investment companies, desiring to dis
count their obligation, offer lump sum
to the Indians instead of the annual
payments. The further provision is
made that the Indians, when they re-
ceive their titles to the lands. shall deed
them to the investment companies in
consideration Of another sum, named in
the lease.
Commissioner Jones was informed
that five of these companies, located at
Muscogee, Wagner and other towns
in the territory, now have $4,000 acres
G. Creek lands tied up in such leases,
end have secured them for very small
payments. Chief Porter is very anxious
tc have some action by the department
of the interior. or some legislation that
will put stop to this system. which, he
declared, is calculated to cause endless
trouble and litigation when the Creeks
receive their deeds to their lands
Commissioner Jones declares that, in
his opinion, the leases are not worth the
paper they are written on. but will un-
doubtedly lead to litigation and cause
much trouble in the final disposition of
the lands. Under the Creek treaty"
said Mr. Jones, the Creeks have right
to lease their lands for one year. Any
lease for a longer period of time must
be approved by the interior department.
These long time leases of which Chief
Porter speaks have never been sub
mitted to the department and are
cleary a violation of the law. Some ac-
ton should certainly be taken to pre-
vent the Creek from being robbed by
land sharks. There would be millions
in it for these investments companies
If these leases should be held valid"
Chief Porter Is also anxious to secure
a supplemental treaty with the Creeks
by which the Indians may secure their
lands by acres instead Of on valua-
tion basis as at present provided.