The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1903-08-17

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than ITO acres in extent for himself, his
wife or each Of his children, but the
agent claims that this is evaded in many
ways, and that large tracts are held for
profit, iii spite Of the provision that they
are subject to fine and imprisonment for
doing so Excessive holdings have been
improved, and demand has been made
now that a change is required by law for
the payment for Improvements This, It
is claimed, was never contemplated, as
the illegal returns from the excess Of
lands more than paid for the value Of
improvements
RUSTLERS as ACCESSORIES.
Brosius says that trust companies to
deal in Indian lands have been organiz'
ed by the score, and cover every field Of
the five civilized tribes. Agents, or rus
tiers" herd the ignorant Indians to-
gether in parties OF from FIVE to twenty,
and induce them to lease their hol dings.
The indian is induced to secure an all
lotment Of improved land taken from
the excess land Of other Indians He is
being told that he can not receive rent
for the lands during the five years, as
the rent must be held out to pay for the
improvements Brosius claims that wh lie
he was in the territory one Of the rust.
lers brought in thiItY-four Choctaws
and Chickasaws. and another one thirty
six, and third less number, who were
sold to the tribal trust company at from
$40 to $50 head TO be used in securing
control OF their lands.
Much the same tactics are employed
by the oil aud gas companies in secur-
ing leases for oil lands Brosius says:
"The air is rife with scandal in connec-
ton Herewith He cites striking ex-
ample of an Indian mother and her two
children being deprived Of their rights.
He says: "The Indian mother being ig-
norant Of values WIS induced to give uP
the lands that had been n possession Of
the family many years on being paid
$500 each for the three tracts belonging
TO herself and two children. The person
who made the deal received $40, 600 from
the oil company for his share il the Pro-
hs."
Bros'us has taken up this case and Is
trying 10 have the lease iuvalidated The
scheme was managed So slyilliuily, how
ever that Il is doubtful ii the wrong can
Be righted, except on the ground that
she was unauthorized 10 act on behalf Of
her minor children
COMMISSIONERS CRITICISED.
AT considerable length Brosius reviews
the action Of the Dawes commission in
handling lands for the Delawares and
cherokees, and in commenting on i
says: The unusual interest manifested
by the commission in this matter is
worthy of consideration, as it is alleged
to favor interested parties in securing
leases" He then goes on to show that
the lands in question are valuable oil
tracts. Getting down to the actual con-
sideration between the trust companies
and the officials Of the government,
Brosius gives facts which he claims are
substantated by records.
II will be recalled that several weeks
ago the statement was made IN these dis
patches that officials under both the de-
partment of justice and the interior de-
partment were involved in the Indian
Territory scandals Brosius seems TO
have established this beyond question.
He introduces this part Of his rel ort by
way Of comment:
"The interests Of the trust companies
being an.agonistic to the Indians IN
many ways, it viii be interesting to
know II their organization and .he scope
Of teeir powers as authorized by charter.
The Tribal. development company Of
Tishomingo, I. T was authorized March
25. with a capitol stock Of 100000 aud
had si2 900 paid in Guy P. Cobb, who
was then internal revenue inspector tor
the Territory, is the largest stockholder.
Brosius says. "P l.. S0per IS large
s,ockho der and vice-president IF the
company. Mr.. Soper is United States
district attorney for the northern district
Of the Indian Territory, whose duty it is
under the law to prosecute persons hav-
ing excessive holdings Of land and TO
defend the Indians at all suits of law or
equity involving their titles to land.
Gov. Mosely Of the chickasaw nation IS
also a stockholder
TAAIs BIXBY's COMPANY.
The Muscogee title and trust company,
which does a business in lands. was or
ganized in February OF this yeer Tams
Bixby. chairman OF the Dawes commits
sion. was a stockholder and vice presi-
dent Of the concern. ]. George Wright,