The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-17
HAVE INDIANS
BEEN ROBBED?
Land Scandals in Indian Territory
Said to Involve Millions and
Many Public Men.
Bixby of the Dawes Commission De-
MES That He Is in Any Way
Implicated.
Nav York Sun Special Service.


Chicago, Aug. ia Washington dis
patch to the Daily News says:
Disclosures made thru special agents
who have gone to the Indian Territory
and Oklahoma indicate that the scandals
in official life there will be more extensive
in proportion to the number Of persons IN
volyed than those in the postoffice de-
partment.
Special reports indicate that the leading
officials of the interior department., as
well as those Of the department Of justice,
have become interested in various compa-
MES for the purpose of buying Indian
lands at ridiculously low figures and SELL
ing them at their actual value.
Members of the Dawes commission are
said to be implicated with several district
attorneys. The sensational feature Is
that the officials Of the interior depart
ment and the department of justice have
for years devoted themselves to devising
schemes to protect the Indians when their
land was finally allotted.
In several instances the very men now
implicated came to Washington to consult
with the heads Of departments In devising
plan for the Indians protection.
Lands Are Very Valuable.
The value Of the land will be several
hundred million dollars. In the Creek
nation alone the 10000 Indians have 100
acres each, while in the Choctaw and
Chickasaw country the Indian allotments
are for $50 acres each. Most Of this Is
agricultural and easily worth from $25 to
$40 an acre.
Mr. Brosius, special agent Of the inte-
rior department, has submitted report to
Secretary Hitchcock, reviewing the organ
ization Of the various trust" companies
formed to gobble the Indian lands. and
mentions the names Of all United States
officials who have stock in them. Guy P.
Cobb, internal revenue inspector for In
dian Territory Is the largest stockholder
in the Tribal Development company Of
Tishomingo. In this same company Is e.
Pliny Soper United States district attor-
| ney for the northern district Of the Indian
Territory. Soper Is vice president.
The government pays Soper $4,000 a
year, and he is always consulted In Indian
affairs. 1t Is known that several months
ago, when the rumors about irregulari-
ties In the Indian Territory were first
mentioned in the newspapers, Attorney
| General Knox telegraphed for Soper to
come to Washington. At that time it was
be accepted and that he must confront
any charges brought against him.
Tams Blxhy In Company. p.
Governor Moseley Of the Chickasaw ma
| ton is a stakeholder of an important com
pany. and Tams Bixby of the Dawes COM
mission Is the vice president and leading
stockholder in the Muscogee Title and
Trust company, which does a large land
| business, .'-<
! J. George Wright, an Indian inspector
who has complete charge Of the Indian
bureaus affairs for the territory, is a
member of another trust company, and
the report also ALLEGES that Thomas B
Needles of illinois, formerly member o,
the. state legislature and mentioned 10,
several high offices, Is vice president anG
| director of the International Banking and
Trust company. and that Charles A. Da,
wilson Of Vinita, clerk Of the United
| States court, is a director The genera
| attorney Is James A. Huckleberry, one O,
the assistant district attorneys. ~