Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-02-18
SCANDAL BREWING.
The Poor Indian Said to be at the Bottom of this One.

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 Washington, Feb 1S.- Another scandal is brewing in the Interior department which is likely to in- volve the regulations of important officials and may result in indict- ments being found against them. : As SO often has been the case heretofore, the poor Indian is the victim of the latest trouble. It is the old, old story of the effort of the white man-more shrewd than hon. est-to acquire the possessions of the Indian without giving him value received
 The facts thus far developed have been submitted to the senate and that body has directed. by resolu- ton, the committee on Indian affairs to make thorough inquiry into the matter. It is expected that sensa- tional disclosures will result from the investigation.
 Through subcommittee, the senate committee will make a rigid inquiry into the affairs of the Kick apoo Indians, tribe which holds some enormously valuable lands in Oklahoma. It really is one of the wealthiest of the Indian tribes and its rich lands long have been sought by whites, some, at least. of whom appear to have gone to extreme lengths'in their effort to obtain them. The Indians chiefly involved now reside in Mexico on reservation which they purchased. A number of years ago, a branch of the Kick opoos. somewhat dissatisfied with their condition in Oklahoma, decided to move to Mexico. They located in the state of Coahulla, purchasing large tract of land. Of course, they retained their interest in the valuable Oklahoma lands held by their tribe and, in removing to Mex ico, did not relinquish that interest. Two years ago they opened negotia- tions for the sale of their Oklahoma interests. in order to raise money with which to liquidate their in- debtedness on the Mexican lands.
 This opened the way for the schemers who desired to acquire the Oklahoma lands. Through officials of the interior department, it is charged. the Mexican branch of the Kickopoos were pressed to yield their interest in the Oklahoma lands and efforts were made to coerce them into giving them up. Agents of the conspirators went to Mexico and created trouble for the Indians, having some of them thrown into prison and employing other means to intimidate them into disposing of their American possessions for a song.
 Despite these efforts, however, the Indians refused to yield and 1t is charged that deeds to their Okla homa lands were prepared and the owners names forged 10 them. The state department obtained from the United States consul in Coahuila statement of the case, as it was de- veloped by him. This statement, which is to be placed at the disposal of the senate committee. contains re- markable disclosures of fraud and corruption on the part of those who have attempted to swindle the In- dians. It is stated that the report of the American consul contains names and dates ana specific i'm stances of fraud; and its reflections on the methods and character of some American officials are said to be very severe.
 Commissioner Francis E. Leupp, of Indian affairs. will not discuss the case in advance of it's investigation by the senate committee. but he ex- presses the hope that the committee will go to the bottem of the affair and he proposes to do all in his pow CT 10 have called to book those who have been in any way implicated fin the fraud.