The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1907-02-18
EMPLOYEES OF INTERIOR DEPART
MENT MAY BE INDICTED.
KICKAPOO INDIANS VICTIMS
Members Who Went to Mexico Lost
Land Interests in Oklahoma
Through Alleged Forged Deeds.
Committee Investigating.

Ardmoreite Special.
Washington, ID. c., Feb. 1S.-An-
other scandal is brewing nthe In
terror department which is likely to
to involve the regulations of import
ant officials and may result in indict-
ments being found against them.
AS so often has been the case here.
tofore the poor Indian is the victim
of this latest trouble. 1t is the old
old story of the effort of the white
man-more shrewd than honest-to
acquire the possession 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 resolution, the
committee on Indian affairs to make
thorough inquiry into the matter
II is expected that sensational disclo-
sures will result from the investiga.
tion.
Through a subcommittee the senate
committee will make a rigid inquiry
into the affairs of the Kickapoo In
dians. tribe which holds some enor-
mously valuable lands in Oklahoma. 1t
really Is one of the wealthiest tribes
of Indians and its rich lands long
have been sought by the whites, some,
at least, of whom appear to have gone
tO extreme lengths in their effort to
obtain them. The Inoians chiefly in
volved now reside in Mexico on res
ervation which they purchased. A
number of years ago, a branch of the
Kickapoos. somewhat dissatisfied with
their condition in Oklahoma decided
to move to Mexico. They located in
the state of Coahuila, purchasing a
large tract of land. OF course, they
retained their interest in the valuable
Oklahoma lands held by their tribe
and in removing to Mexico, did not
relinquish that interest. Two years
ago they opened negotiations for the
sale of their Oklahoma interests, IN
order to raise money with which to
liquidate their Indebtedness on the
Mexican lands.
This opened the way for the schem-
ers who desired to acquire the Ok
lahoma LANDS. Through officials of
lie interior department, it is charged,
the Mexican branch of the Kickapoos
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 dispos-
ing of their American possessions for
a song.
Despite these efforts. however, the
Indians refused to yield, and II Is
that deeds to their Oklahoma
lands were prepared and tho owners
names forged to them. The state de-
partment obtained from the United
States consul in Coahuila statement
of the case, as itrwas developed by
him. This statement, which is to be
placed at the disposal of the senate
contains remarkable dis
closures OF fraud and corruption on
the part OF those who have attempted
to syindle the Indians. 1t Is stated
that the report of the American consul
contains names and dates and specif'
ic instances of fraud; and its reflec'
tions on the methods and character
of some American officials are said
to be very severe.
Commissioner Francis Il. Leupp, OF
Indian Affairs. will not discuss the
case in advance of its investigation by
he senate committee, but he ex-
3resses the hope that the committee
.Sill 20 to the bottom of the affair and
ne proposes to do all in his power to
have called to book those who have
been in any wa implicated in the
fraud.