Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1906-03-16
A Broad Hint
LorIeInaIl

The town OF Brookmead0w was built
on two adjoining contiguous plots In
far western territory II was not a
large town, the inhabitants numbering
not more than 100 families, and nearly
all Of these were original settlers. The
people Of Brookmeadow did not en-
courage newcomers. They were hard
headed sort and did not take kind
ly to mushroom growth. What good
would Il do u.s." said a citizen to one
who asked what inducements the peo-
pie would give him to settle among
them, "ts get In lot OF strangers7 AS
we are, we don't need any goy'ment ex-
cept on special occasions. No, sir, we
don't want strangers"
One day a settler came to town who
did not ask permission--a sleek, oily
man who could absorb information as
silently as the sun sucks up water, but
never gave out any. A few days after
bis arrival 'shingle'' was hung out
on the street bearing the inscription
Anthony Waxem, Attorney -at-Law."
Brookmeadow thus far had no pro-
fessional man except a doctor and a
| rarson. The Introduction Of q lawyer
was considered superhuous, and the
question was raised whether Mr.. Wax
EN- be allowed to remain. whats the
use a-doin' anything" said old Hon
ker, cas- will do itselfi II a lawyer
can make livin' In this community,
for my part I'd let him stay. It's my
opinion he'll starve." Old Henkers
opinion was held In great respect IN the
town, and Il was decided that the law
yer should not be luterfered with.
Whom Mr.. waEsm had been in Brock
meadow three months no citizen had
given him a ease, and It was not be-
licved- that he bad had case He had
spent mucff OF his time away anad had
been seen by several Of his ffaiew
tQwnsmen at different times At the
frame shanty located at the county
seat called the courthouse. But, since
he had no law business and no pros
poets Of any, his early departure was
looked for.
One morning there was a surprise
sprung on the citizens OF Broekmead-
ow. When they gathered at the post
office to get their mail the postmaster
handed each and every owner OF prop
erty carved out OF one OF the contigu-
Gus tracts on which the town was built
a note bearing ON the corner Of the en-
velope the name OF Anthony waxem.
Attorneys The recipients of
these notes were informed that there
was Jaw 'r the title OF the original
tract wher, on their property was To-
Gated. Mr.. Wnxem had picked up the
flaw and for consideration would
give a quitclaim deed to every lot. II
this was not satisfactory he gave no
tice that he would begin suits Of eject
ment.
Thus half the citizens of Brookmead
ow had been euchred by the man whom
they had been waiting 20 see etnrve
or depart. They were pot an ex1
I citabie people. but every man loft f6s
postoflice with lowering brow That
evening group of prominent citizens
assembled In the meeting house and
appointed a committee to have the rec
ords searched with a view to deter
mining Mr.. Waxem's position, and 1,
II was secure to take such measures
as were necessary toward clearing tbs
: title.
1t was one week before the commit
tee were ready to act; then they wen
In body to Mr. Waxem's office. Tha
gentleman, being perfectly conflden
Of his legal position and believing tina
they had come to offer a compromise
though he received them uSbanely, re
solved that ne would not give an incl
from his original demands.
''Mr. Waxem," said the chairman
1--WE have taken legal advice and fine
that you are right. But these peopl,
bought their lots in good faith and viii
not pay blood money. Many Of then
can't afford to pay. and II you insls
they must be turned out of thell
homes. Now, we have decided to Civ,
up that part of the town the title o.
which you are interested In to you
removing all the houses to the othel
tract. VIII that satisfy your"
/ Perfectly" said the lawyer, consid
ering the proposition bluff.
+ with one proviso," continued thu
chairnan-"that the property held b.
you is to be used for cemetery"
This singular provision somewhat
puzzled Mr.. Waxem.
I'VE shall need" continued th'
chairman, "a corpse with which t
open the cemetery, and we hav'
thought that in order to do away will
all dispute In reference to the it'll
that corpse should be the person hold
ing an undisputed right to occupy thu
property"
As the chairman spoke the last words
he opened package he carried undsl
his arm rolled in an old newspaper
and displayed about twenty feet o.
rope. at one end OF which was moose
Mr.. Waxem had hy this time caugh
the spirit OF the argument and turned
pale
Since the dedication and opening ol
the new cemetery" the chairman wen
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