The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1903-07-16
DEPART NEWPLAN
Regulations Which WIN Effect Sale
Of Over Two Milton Acres In
Greek Nation.

The Kansas City star has the follow,
ing under a Washington date;
The new regulations for the sale and
leasing of lands in the Greek nation
were made public a, the interior depart
meut today These regulations were ad.
opted by Secretary Hitchcock because
OF representation to the department, that
land companies aud others were endeay-
oring to induce the Indians to sign agree
ments disposirg Of their holdings at
prices far below their real value. The
law directs that the Secretary shall ap-
prove all deeds, aud that the papers in
some Of the transfers have reached the
department. None Of them have been
approved The new regulations, Il 10
believed, will furnish a safeguard against
fraud and enable the Indians to sell their
lands for what they are worth.
About 100000 acres are involved, as
the Creeks may dispose Of all their al
lotments except forty acres which must
be reserved tor homestead purposes.
Copies OF the regulations we're mailed
today to the Indian agents with forms
for the leasing OF lands for grazing, agri-
cultural and mineral purposes. The
regulations provide that Creeks who de-
sire to sell their lands may apply to the
Indian agents at agency at Muskogee
through a petition praying that the
lands shall be sold. This petition must
contain facts with reference to the title
and a statement showing why 1t will be
for the best interests Of the owner TO
sell II must be signed by all the per-
sons having any interests in the lands or
by their legal representatives.. II the
agent 3 satisfied that the facts presented
are sufficient, he will forward to the
commissioner Of Indian affairs, a dupli.
cate Of the petition Wita his endorse
ment
The agent on each Monday morning
will post in a conspicuous place at his
office, for period Of sixty days, list
Ct the lands described in the petitions
filed with him in the week previous,
showing in separate columns the names
OF the owners, the description OF the
lands and the dates when the bids are to
be opened
After the lands have.been advertised,
the Indian agent or other offi,er in
charge at the agency, when competent
from his general knowledge Of the value
OF the lands, will appraise them at their
true value, according TO his best iudg-
ment II the agent or officer in charge
is not competent or if II is impracticable
Tor him to visit the lands, he shall re-
quire the apptaiscment to be made by
.ome competent officer under his charge
The certificate of apprai.ement is 10 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,
but that no bid less than the appraised
valuation shall Be considered
II bidder desires 10 bid on tracts not
contiguous he must submit separate
bid Tor each tract and II he desires 70
purchase less than an entire tact, he
may submit a bid for one or more legal
subdivisions The bids are TO be mum.
bered II the 1fler in which they are re-
ceiged, and each must be accompanied
By a certified check made payable 10 the
commissioner Of Indian affairs for 20 per
cent Of the amount bid.
The right to reject any or all bids is
reserved. but in every case the Indian
agent must aecep, the highest bid. II
the successful bidder fails to comply
with the terms Of bis bid within ten
days, his check shall be forfeited 10 the
use Of the owner Of the iaud Bidders
and other interested persons may be
prefent when the bids were opened.
Listed land not disposed Of 1t the ap
pointed time may be relisted under the
rules governing the original listing
Il Is dirested that deeds shsli be nc.
companied by an affidavit Of the grantee
stating that he Is not a party 70 any IS.
soeiation or combination Of persons
object is TO acquire the land described in
the deed, at less than is fair value. Or
70 prevent open aud fair competition,
md that neither the grantor nor any
person acting for him has given or pro
missed auy money or any other thing by
the grantee, OF by anyone, except the
consideration named. TO induce him to
agree 70 the sale. The Indian agent IN
reporting on the deeds, viii shos the
value Of the lands as appraised BY the
Dawes commission.
40 lease win be approved for a greater
term Of years than as follows, Three
years for grazing purposes. ten years for
FNefFffffmFHI FiffF f.flaaa aud Effaaff