The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-03-12
INDIAN
RIGHTS
TO LANDS
Are Amply Protected by Treaty
Agreement.
BEMEFIClARIES EXUL |
EXULT
BEMEFICIARIES
That ChiCkaSaW Lands Will
be Allotted in SeveraIty.

Ardmore, I. T., March 1.-THE an
nouncement that the Indian lands of the
Chickasaw nation will be allotted in sew
crafty to the Chickasaw Indians, COM
lnencing about April Is, is being hailed
with feeling of exultation by the future
benefciaries of the tribe.
Conservative men figure in the allot-
rnent, or a division of the Indian estate
the real solution of the anomalous condi-
ton which has existed since the terrific
ries baceme d white mans domain, yet
the wisest statesman in the country can
only theorize when il comes to fixing the
responsibility for the condition, which ex
lists. no parallel can be found anywhere
to compare with conditions here. The alb
sence Of a precedent has been of the
greatest disadvantage to the commission
to the Five Civilized Tribes, commonly
known as the Dawes commission, created
many years ago for the purpose of re-
adjusting matters in this country. The
ultimate purpose Of the commission was
TO divide the Indian estate among the
Indians on an equitable basis. The fact
that allotments viii soon take place will
be the greatest boon the territory could
hope for. Real development, it is predict
ed vii follow the allotment process. To
illustrate conditions here nearly all the
land is now leased from the Indians by
white farmers who invaded the territory
many years ago. Those who came suf-
fered from a lack Of knowledge Of eX-
listing affairs They found a wilderness
of rich land scarcely tickled by the fur
row. But the passions of the tillers of
the soil, once aroused, they sought to
conquer and reduce the reservation to
state Of cultivation. In the fourteen years
that they have striven to bring the coun-
try out Of chaos and raise it to a level
in keeping with other countries. their
indomitable viii and energy have tri-
umphed. The transformation worked
would almost seem increditable IL related,
even to those with some knowledge Of
real conditions IN the territory when the
settlers came to build commonwealth
out Of wilderness.
without the barest shadow of a right
settlers cultivated lands and built homes
in country belonging 10 the Indians in
fee simple. The years Of 1882 opened
with great influx OF people who fiocked
into the new country. attracted by the
tales Of monetary success. The tide Of
immigration was so great that no ordi-
nary means could stop 1t. The protests
fthe Indians We're of such nature that
the American government began invcsti-
cations and the Indian question has been
one Of the most difficult problems with
deal. The territory was foreign territory
90 far as the United States was concerned.
Many years before this country had been
set apart for the Indians in exchange for
their lands IN other states: here the In
dams settled and little did they dream
that the solemn treaties made with the
federal government would be so abro-
gated that their interests would be vitality
affected. The immigration Of non-citizens
aroused the wrath Of the red man who
looked upon them as being intruders in
their home of peace"
They We're considered 4 disturbing ele-
ment rather than the influence Of pro-
eress. and in after years the establish
Inent of towns and schools were given
greatest credit for producing order out Of
chaos OF social. racial and economic life
which characterized the nations during its
early days. The Chickasaw- -Choctaw
treaty. after much delay. gave the In
dians fne assurance that their property
rights would be protected
The treaty known as the Atoka agree
ment. was regarded by them as the bone
and sinew' Of all treaties BY its terms
the lands were to he allotted and I'm fact.
this agreement appeared 10 be most lib
eral in lis provisions The Indians CON
graduated themselves unon the prospect
I've prorata share Of teh lands ans pro
vided for in the Atoka act Business men
said that affairs would SOON he settled
and that p new era was dawning in this
country. But conditions were like n rnov-
ing picture