Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-03-17
THE TOWN LOT FUND.
A Statement by the Secretary Of the
Interior Concerning 1t.
TO Be EXPENDED FOR IMPROVEMENTS


Washington, March 12.-Mr. Hitch
cock, secretary Of the interior, sent
to the house yesterday q statement
showing the plans Of the interior de-
partment for the expenditure Of the
town lot fund" on public improve
ments in Caddo. Kiowa and Comanche
counties, OK. The expenditure of this
fund has been the subject Of a con-
troversy between the interior depart
ment and the residents of those coun-
ties for the last year. The fund, which
was realized from the sale Of town
lots when the Kiowa country was
opened to settlement, according to a
bill passed by the last congress, must
be expended on public improvements
on the new counties, and last year i'm
provements were started. Owing to
irregularities in connection with the
contracts Secretary Hitchcock sus-
pended payments and the improve
ments stopped. 1t has never been re-
sumed, although several delegations
have come to Washington and urged
Mr.. Hitchcock to permit continuance
of the work.
Recently Representative Stephens
got through resolution directing Sec
rotary Hitchcock to submit state
ment to the house showing how much
money had been derived from the sale
of lots and how the interior depart
ment intended to expend 1t. According
to the secretarys statement the funds
realized by the sale of lots were as
follows: At Lawton, $414,S45; at Ho-
bart, $132,733; at Anadarko, $1SS,355,
total of $73403 The amounts that
remain for improvements are given as
follows: In Caddo county, for court
house at Anadarko, $29,957; for
bridges, roads and other improve
ments, $51 ,553; construction OF water
works and schoolhouses, $59,664.
Kiowa county, courthouse at Hobart,
$29,971 for bridges and roads, ST.
724: water works, schoolhouses and
other improvements, $40,96S. Co.
manche county, courthouse at Lawton,
100000; bridges and roads, $185,397;
water works, schoolhouses and other
improvements, $14O5OO "This money"
said the secretary, will be distributed
under acts of congress from time to
time as payments become due.
Mr.. Hitchcock, in his statement,
shows the amounts received from the
sale Of town lots in the Indian terri
tory, which information was called for
In the Stephens resolution. These
amounts are given as follows: Creeks,
$685., 16S; Chickasaws, $157,092 Choc-
taws, $451 ,185; Cherokees, $25,559.
The amounts realized from railroad
rights-of-way, taxes on railroads and
telephones are as follows: Choctaws,
$62, 23S; Chickasaws, $20,763; Creeks,
$17,220; Seminoles, $2,252; Cherokees.
$32,517. These amounts were received
by the tribes from June 2S, 1898. the
date of the passage Of the Curtis act,
up to January of this year.
In regard to the enrolment Of the
Mississippi Choctaws the secretary
says that 1,s45 persons have been
identified as Mississippi Choctaws en-
titled to share in the lands Of the
Choctaw and Chickasaw nations.
The Future Of the Dawes Commission.
Washington, March 12.-Congress
probably will follow the recommends
lion Of President Roosevelt in the en-
actment of legislation with reference
to the Dawes commission. Charles ].
Bonaparte, in his report on conditions
In the Indian territory urged that the
Dawes commission be aDoiisned ana
IN effort will be made in the senate to
substitute for the commission single
offlcial, who shall take up its work
Curtis, of the house
committee on Indian affairs, said yes
terday he would call on the president
.o-day and ascertain his views in re.
yard to the future of the commission
Asa G. sharpe Fakes an Appeal.
Guthrie, Ok, March 12.-Asa G.
Sharpe, through his attorney, Samuel
Harris, of Perry, has appealed by writ
If error to the St Louis court Of APP
,eals to escape punishment for receiv-
ng brides while United States agent
or the Ponca and 0toe Indians at
White Eagle. Sharpe was convicted
n the Noble county distsict court and
sentenced to four years In the peni-
entiary. He appealed to the Okla
iona supreme court, which sustained
he lower court about week ago and
'efused a rehearing. Sharpe Is at lib
'rty in 5000 bond and Il living at