The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1903-06-18
AFTFR JUDGE GILL.
The Keetoowah Society Denies MAX
Ing Trouble In Cherokee Nation.

The Keeloowah 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 to
alleged charges made by the Judge
against the society. The Indians
allege that Judge Gill accused the
society Of standing 10 the same at
titude in the Cherokee nation as
Crazy Snake stands In the Creek
nation aud that the Keetoowah 90.
ciety is opposed to the Dawes
commission. The judge is also
accueed OF alleging that a recent
murder was committed by Kee.
toowahs because the victim had
selected his allotment. Judge
Gin 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 10 1859, and the basic
principles to its constitution are,
loyalty to the government oi the
United States, by insisting that
the Cherokee tribe shall live up
to their obligations in their treat
lee with the United States, and
the preservation Of property Of
the Cherokees for those to whom
tbs treaties intended It should go.
The fact that the Ksetoowahs are
loyal TO the United States can be
noticed by any stranger. Astran.
ger will observe that nearly all Of
the oldor members wear Ia this
lapel Of their coat button Of the
lG.A r The eooiety lprnishea q
maIoriety Of The Cherokees who
fisked their lives and property by
joining ,he armies Of the North in
the Civil war.
Tire Keetoowahs have some pos
tive views with regard TO the par.
tilion Of the property OF the Cher.
okee tribe. and they have at times
differed from the officers Of the
government on the methods anc
plans adopted Tor that purpose
bat they have always submitted
their plans and views 10 the prop
or authorities in respectful anS
orderly manner. There is another
organization within the Cheroket
nation which, we understand, il
composed of former members o
the Keetoowah society. This or
ganiEation Is known as Nigh
! Hawks. IL is q secret society AM
We know no more OF its object
and purposes than the genera
: public.
/ The full blood Indian lie timiI
and snspiei QUE, because be is no
acquainted with the ways Of th
whites and has so often been th
! victim OF cheats aud frauds, H
I is deliberate in all OF his business
dealings. aud becomes coniusel
when hurried. lie Is abused be
! cause be does not come TO the lanI
Office and take an allotment Of
low grade OF land while there ar
many more intelligent citizen
7 unlawlully In possession OF th'
, thousands OF acres of the best Liant
10 the exclusion Of would.be al
+ lotlees Many Cherokee citizen
would take their allotments .
once II they saw any disposition
: on The part Of the officers Of th
i United States TO enforce the la'
against this class Of vioIaters, bu
this IL not done, while the poo
and ignorant are abused for doin
: nothing more tENn eAefclein
their right 70 allot only such land
as they may desire.
b The statement IL signed b
Wolf Conn. Daniel Redbird an
Dave MuskFal a. head captains I
the KeeioowAhs.
II - ~ 6 Re tfst.s