The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-11-25

, the nation. and the tribal courts and
other forms of government, still dear TO
the .eart of every full-blood, were TO
be restored.
1T should be stated that while num-
Der of the prominent leaders Of the anti
! enrolment faction had, long prior TO the
arrival of the parties the field, applied
to the commission for the enrolment of
-emselves and families. they still con-
tinued TO exert their influences and ef-
forts to thwart the work of the COM
| mission. thereby hoping to perpetuate
their control over the full-blood element
through whose credulity the so-cailed
| leaders, enrolled and unenrolled, have for
years been supported
1T soon developed that a great many
wouiG refuse TO enroll in the localities
visited BY parties No. and No. 4, and
under these conditions enrollments from
information were resorted TO. Witnesses
acquainted with the unenrolled were sum
moned before the commission in each
neighborhood and, where the parties re
fused to appear and enroll. such witnesses
were required to give evidence from
which the delinquents were listed.
The knowledge Of the witnesses in
each instance was carefully tested and
the greatest care was exercised TO guard
against the acceptance of any except
correct information. This method was
very bitterly resented by those opposed
to enrolment and threats OF bodily harm
against those employed by the commits
sion were made. However. in spite Of
all threats and opposition. this plan was
steadily adhered to with consdera BILE
success.
ION the 18th day of May the United
States court, on application duly made
by the commission, issued an order di-
recting all unenroned citizens 10 appear
before thA respective parties in the field
and make application for the enrolment
of themselves and families as members
Of the Cherokee tribe of Indians in In
dian Territory <'his aggressive action
on the part of the commission appeared
to be the only way to secure the enroll
ment Of the full-bloods.
Special deputy marshals were sta
toned in each camp and every effort was
made to serve the courts order on those
unenrolled. 1t was oftentimes extremely
difficult to serve the order, as the Of
ficers were eluded and in a number of
instances threatened with violence should
they attempt TO make service.
THE number of persons enlisted for
enrolment by the parties in the field on
this occasion and their classification is
as fohows:
"On regular Cherokee cards ..........4, 425
ION doubtful Cherokee cards ........ 81
ION rejected Cherokee cards ........ .
Total .-....................,..-.. .4olS
In addition to the persons listed by
the parties in the field a large number
were also accounted for as having died or
having removed from the limits Of Indian
Territory.
Since the last annual report Of the
commission there have been but compar-
atively few applicants by blood or inter-
marriage against whose enrolment there
has been entered a contest.
During the fiscal year ended June 80.
1902. the work inciden* to the enrolment
of Creeks has been mainly confined to
securing a more complete identification of
a large number of citizens who were
listed for enrolment by the commission
in 1897 and 1898, while there was yet lack
ing that full authority and means of pro-
cedure which later legislation conferred
and prescribed; to considering enrolment
and memoranda cases ana preparoing
and rendering decisions therein; to secur-
ing the necessary information to bring
the work of the Creek enrolment within
the provisions of sections %. and % Of the
act of congress Of March I, 1901 81 Stat.
L.. SGD with respect TO who of those citi-
zens enrolled prior TO April /, 1899 were
living at that date and whether children
born prior to July l. 1900, were then liv-
ing; to preparing partial rolls of citizen
ship for review by the secretary of the
interior, and to issuing certificates of
enrolment for persons VINO desired to
make application for their individual
allotments of land. or Tor persons whom
they represented, and for persons to
whom the commission has made arbitrary
allotnsnts.
ION the ID day of April, 1901. the sec
rotary of the interior approved the final
rolls of citizenship of the Seminole nation
prepared by the commission in conform
ity with the Seminole agreement OF De-
cember 10, 1897 and the supplemental
agreement ratified by congress on June ?.
1900
This closed the roll, upon which there
were 800 names. Since the above date,
however. three names have been stricken
from the roll, leaving 2.754 Seminole citi-
zens to whom allotments have been
made.
THE appraisement Of the lands in the
Seminole nation in conformity with the
Seminole agreement of December IS. 1897,
was completed November l. 1899. there
being 3sS.57s.s2 acres subject TO allotment.
amounting. according to appraised value,
to 1851 .246.45.
on railroads the report SAYS;
The construction Of new lines Of rail-
read through Indian territory has shown
marked activity during The past year
The records Of the commission show ap-
proximately 200 miles OF the road either
in operation or under process Of construc-
tion through Indian territory. and when
all are in operation the territory viii be
Supplied with excellent railroad facilities.
A recapitulation Of mileage Of rail-
roads constructed and IN course Of con
struction. by nations. shows approximate
Is as follows:
Nation. Miles.
Choctaw Nation .-.......-...............- 10
Cherokee Nation .....................-.. 6I5
Chickasaw Nation ...................... 80
Creek Nation ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 900
seminole Nation ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. .
Total o 40