The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1903-07-15
DEPARTMENTS NEWPLAN
regulations Which VIII Effect Sale
OF Over Two Milton Acres In
Creek Nation.

NJ The Kansas City Star has the follow
lug under Washington date:
The new regulations for the sale and
Teasing of lands in the Creek nation
mere made public at the interior depart
spent today. These regulations were ad-
Nbpted by Secretary Hitchcock because
hi representation to the department that
n and companies and others were endeav-
Y bring to induce the Indians to sign agree
ments disposing Of their holdings at
ms.s3 far below their real value. The
law directs that the Secretary shall ap-
prove all deeds, and that the papers in
kome Of the transfers have reached the
meparttnent. None of them have been
kapproved. The new regulations, it is
believed, will furnish a safeguard against
I'5raud and enable the Indians to sell their
lands for what they are worth.
About 100000 acres are involved, as
lhe Creeks may dispose of all their al
Votments except forty acres which must
De reserved for homestead purposes.
kopies Of the regulations we're mailed
l0day TO the Indian agents with forms
kor the leasing Of lands for grazing, agri-
Cultural and mineral purposes. The
\ Negotiations provide that Creeks who de-
kire to sell their lands may apply to the
FIIndian agents at agency at Muskogee
lhrough a petition praying that the
lands shall be sold. This petition must
contain facts with reference TO the title
knd a statement showing why it will be
tor the best interests OF the owner to
Avyell. II must be signed by all the per-
kons having any interests in the lands or
~ their legal representatives. If the
|lneent is satisfied that the facts presented
lre sufficient, he will forward to the
lcommissioner OF Indian affairs, dupli-
rate Of the petition witu his endorse
.pment.
THe agent on each Monday morning
'kwIll post in a Conspicuous place at his
Roflice, for period Of sixty days, list
-xf the lands described in the petitions
l'I'gsss with him in the week previous,
n Showing IN separate columns the names
Of the owners. the description Of the
kuds and the dates when the bids are to
\ y opened
\ After the lands hsve.been advertised,
|lthS Indian agent or other off er in
charge at the agency, when competent
lfrom his general knowledge Of the value
lof the lands, viii appraise them at their
ltrue value, according to his best Judg-
lEment If the agent Or officer in charge
Ns not competent Or If II is impracticable
|lfor him to visit the lands, he shall re-
n ouire the appraisement to be made by
\ some competent officer under his charge.
\ The certificate Of appraisement is TO be
\ sealed and not opened until the scaled
bids deposited with the agent have been
opened. The regulations direct that the
appraisement shall not be made public,
l but hat no bid less than the appraised
valuation shall be considered
w bidder desires to bid on tracts not
bntlquous. he must submit a separate
h6id Tor each tract and if he desires 10
purchase less than an entire tact, he
niaylubmit bid for one or more legal
subdivisions The bids are TO be num-
bered in the order in which they are re-
ceiyed, aud each must be accompanied
by certified check made payable TO the
Commissioner Of Indian affairs for 20 per
cent Of the amount bid.
The right to reject any or all bids IS
n -erved, but in every case the Indian
K tent must accept the highest bid. If
49, successful bidder fats to comply
with the terms Of his bid within ten
days, his check shall be forfeited to the
use Of the owner Of the land. Bidders
ana other interested persons may be
prerent when the bids were opened.
Listed land not disposed OF at the ap
pointed time may be relisted under the
rales governing the original listing
II is diteeted that deeds shall be ac-
companied by an affidavit Of the grantee
stating that he is not party to any as
sociation OF combination Of persons
object is to acquire the land described in
the iced, at less than its fair value, or
to prevent open and fair competition,
md that neither the grantor nor any
person acting for him has given or pro-
missed any money or any other thing by
the grantee, or by anyone, except the
consideration named, to induce him to
agree 70 the sale. The Indian agent in
reporting on the deeds, viii show the
salue Of the lands as appraised by the
fi)awes commission.
No lease will be approved for greater
term Of years than as follows ThrsS
years for grazing purposes, ten years for
agricultural purposes and fifteen years
a. mineral purposes. The Usual royal