The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1903-06-16
AFTFR JUDGE GILL,
The Keetoowai1 Society Denies Max
Ing Trouble in Cherokee Nation.

The Keetoowah society OF Cher
okse Indians has sent letter to
Judge Gill of the United States
court for the Northern district OF
the Indian territory in reply 70
alleged charges made by the Judge
aeainst the society. The Indians
allege that Judge Gill accused the
society Of standing in the same at
titude in the Cherokee nation as
Crazy Snake stands In the Greek
, nation aud that the Keetoowah So
ciety is opposed to the Dawes
commission. The judge is also
accused Of alleging that a recent
murder was committed by Kee-
toowahs because the victim bad
selected his allotment. Judge
Gill is also accused Of saying that
the leaders of the Keetoowah So
ciety wonld soon be in Jail. The
letter OF the Keetoowah society
denies all the charges and is in
part as follows:
The Keetoowah society was or
ganized in 1859, and the basic
principles to its constitution are,
! loyalty to the government Of the
United States, by insisting that
the Cherokee tribe shall live up
to their obligations in their treat.
les with the United States, and
the preservation Of property Of
the Cherokees for those TO whom
the treaties intended il should go.
The fact that the Keetoowahs are
loyal TO the United States can be
noticed by any stranger. A Astran-
ger will observe that nearly all Of
the oldor members wear in the
lapel Of their coat a button Of the
q. A r. The society furnished a
msjorieiy Of the Cherokees who
risked their lives and property by
Joining The armies Of the North in.
the Civil war.
The Keetoowahs have some pos
tive views with regard to the par
: lition Of the property OF the Cher
ckee tribe, and they have at liules
differed from the officers Of ;he
government g. the methods and
plans adopted Tor that purpose,
but they have always submitted
their plans and views to the prop
er authorities in a respectful aud
orderly manner. There is another
organization within the Cherokee
nation which, We understand, is
composed of former members Of
the Keetoowah society. This or
ganization is known as Night
Hawks. II il a secret society and
we know no more Of its objects
and purposes than the general
public.
The full blood Indian is timid
and suspici Gus, because he is not
acquainted with the ways Of the
whites aud has 90 often been the
victim Of cheats aud frauds. He
is deliberate 10 all OF his business
dealings, and becomes confused
when hurried He il abused be-
cause he does not come to the land
Office and take an allotment OF a
low grade Of land while there are
many more intelligent citizens
unlawiully in possession Of the
thousands CT acres Of the best land
Ito the exclusion Of wouldbe al
lotlees. Many Cherokee citizens
would take their allolmenls at
once II they saw any disposition
on the part Of the officers Of the
United States to enforce the law
against this class Of violaters, but
this is not done, willis tie poor
and ignorant are abused for doing
nothing more ibsn eAercising
their right TO alloi only such laud-
as they may nesire.
The ssasemens Il signed by
Wolf Coon. Daniel Redbird and
Dave Muskras as head captains Of
the Keetoowahs