The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1903-06-25
WHITE CITIZENS.
Brlei In the Matte OF Iutermarrled
Citizens In the U. s. Court OF
Claims.

Now come Francis B. Fife, w.
f. Rowsey. J. o. Hall, w. h.
Halsell, William Little. d. M.
Mars, G. w. Turner, J E. Camp.
bell, W. nj. Johnstone, William
Jackson; and large number Of
others too numerous to mention,
intermarried white persons, claim
ing to be entitled TO citizenship in
the Cherokee nation, under the
laws Of said nation, by their at.
torney, William T. Hutchins, and
answering the petition herein say:
First. That they admit the al.
legations OF the irst, second,
fourth, fifth, sixth seventh, eighth
and ninth paragraphs OF the petit
ton.
Second. Answering the third
paragraph OF the petition, the de.
PENDANTS say lhst they admit that
the letter contained in petition
from the Secretary Of the Interior,
dated February "a, 1908, Is as set
out in said paragraph.
{, Third. Answering the tenth
paragraph of the petition, defend
ants say that il il true that the
Commission to the Five Civilized
Tribes is now engaged In the prep.
aration Of the rolls OF citizens Of
the Cherokee Nation, but defend.
ants deny that certain persons
who are not Cherokee Indians by
blood, nor otherwise members Of
the Cherakee Tribe OF Indians
without any right in the property
OF the Tribe, but who have inter-
married with citizens Of the Cher
okee nation by blood, Dslswares,
citizens oi said Nation by adopt
ion OF ustisi'y, aud shawnees,
citizens OF said nation by adoption
or nativity, have presented them
selves before said Commission and
claimed all the rights, privileges
and immunities of native Chero.
KEGS by reason Ct such intermar-
iiage and have demanded that
they be enrolled as citizens Of the
Cherokee nation and be recognized
az having the right to participate
In the distribution Of the common
property OF the Cherokee tribe,
both land aud money which claim
is not just nor has reasonable
foundation either In Law Or equity.
Fourth. The defendants, ans.
wering the eleventh paragraph of
the petition, deny that the persons
who claim rights In the Cherokee
nation BY intermarriage are not
entitled TO participate 10 the die.
iribution Of the common property
Of the Cherokee tribe OF any kind
and character, or in the lunds of
the nation; and allege that as TO
the rolls OF the Cherokee citizens
now being prepared who are en-
titled to participate In the distri.
button OF said property and funds,
they have right to be enrolled
on such rolls, and that the Com
mission to the FIVE Civilized Tribes
are authorized and empowered by
Law to 30 enroll them.
Fifth. Answering the twelfth
paragraph Of petitioners com-
plant. the defendants admit thai
they base their claim to be enroll
ed as Cherokee citizens on the laws
+. Of the Cherokee nation aud on The
laws Of Congress set forth 10 said
petition. and deny The allegation
Of petitioners that the Cherokee
nation never has, by any provis-
ion, by treaty agreement, or act 0
its National Council, granted 4
any persons who intermarriee
with citizens Of said nation, anj
rights whatever In the common
property and funds Of the Chero
kee nation.
Defendants further deny tha
the provision OF iaw set forth Il
the said twelfth paragraph is nos
In iorce in said Nation. and alleg'
that d, was not IN force - 20