The Washington times., 1902-10-14
M'CURTA|N IS NOW
THE CH0CTAW CHIEF
Dual Government at Tuska-
Iona No Longer Exists.
BL0ODsHED WAS IMMINENT
But Call for United States Troops Had
Calming Effect on Ex-
cited Indians.

Information received at the Interior
Department yesterday indicated the end
OF an exciting contest over the ofice of
principal chief of the -Choctaw nation.
For several days the contention was
dangerously acute, and United States
troops were called into action. Acting
Inspector Shoenfelt, through whom the
department kept in touch with the sit
uation, says that but for the interfer-
ence of the troops. and his own efforts.
there would have been bloodshed.
The ,contest was settled for the pres
terday of Greene McCurtain as princi-
pal chief He succeeds. George W..
Dukes as governor" and defeats in his
contest T. W. Hunter. who claimed
to have been elected, and who for few
days seemed to have the weight CT
the argument. Dual government was
maintained for short while.
In August the election for principal
chief was held, and the fight was bit
ter one. Both candidates. McCurtain
and Hunter, claimed election. and the
contest went to the Choctaw council.
which met on Monday Of last week.
Choctaw law provides that the ballots
must be counted and a result declared
within ten days after the meeting of the
council.
Took Strenuous Measures.
Dukes, the chief who has just retired,
is charged with ejecting the members
known to be favorable to McCurtain,
his idea being to render the August cleo
tion void. thus perpetuating his ad-
for another two years.
Hunter is said to have been in league
with him. McCurtain and his men were
kept out of the capital by. a body of
Choctaw militia, the Light Horse.
Acting Inspector Shoenfelt found when
he arrived in Tuskaloma week ago that
there would probably be bloodshed. He
telegraphed to Secretary Hitchcock that
Governor Dukes and his partisans of the
Light Horse had arbitrarily barred all
but their men from the capital; that
Dukes had permitted men appointed by
himself after the session convened to
take seats in the council; that he disre-
garded the legal certificates of election
presented by members of the opposition.
and that there was imminent danger of
a most bloody battle. He further stated
that he could do nothing unless placed
in absolute command. independent of
seems to have set himself up as par
tisan-of the Dukes faction. This state
ment of the situation was corroborated
on Monday of last week by a telegram
from Spencer B. Adams and two other
leading citizens of Tuskaloma-
Called for Troops.
On Wednesday the acting inspector |
that Marshal Hackett had refused to CO.
operate with him in preserving the |
peace. Dukes telegraphed the Secretary |
Of the Interior on Wednesday that he
was proceeding according to law and di-
recting his men to be peaceable. He
said:
II wash my hands of fatal results that
nay occur If Agent Shoenfelt insists in
my authority as chief execu-
i've"
The acting inspector was instructed
by the Secretary, however, to keep the
peace and follow the law and instruc-
ions strictly McCurtain sent a mes
sage to the department that Dukes was
fortified in the capital. and was being
Upheld by the Light Horse and by Hack
TT and his men. He believed it was
Dukes intention to prevent count and
'emain chief.
T. w. Hunter. who claimed to have
,een elected. sent most persuasive
Message He said he had been sworn in
IS principal chief. and that Shoenfelt
vas not satisfied to allow the Choctaws
O settle their own affairs.
1t was announced late in the after
loon that McCurtain. who had already
rganized a state government on the
outside CT the capital. had been in
ugurated in the building and acl1nowl-
dyed as chief His ajority was $50.