The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-08-13
THE OKLAHOMA SCANDAL.
HAMoN ACCUSES CONGRESSMAN
CREAGER OF BLEEDING Nc
MURRAY.
Choctaws and Chickasaws Testify Re-
garding McMurray's Activities I'm
Getting Contracts.

man from the Third Oklahoma dis
trict. has solicited sums" Of money
from ]. +. McMurray. holder Of the
Indian land contracts that are being
subjected TO an investigation. was
made by Jake l.. Hamon today before
the investigating committee appoint
ed by the house of representatives.
Hamon today said Creager had
solicited money from McMurray dur
ing the pendency in congress OF a bill
which had been drawn up by McMur-
ray and which Creager introduced.
This bill provided for the sale Of the
surface lands to private individuals
and for the sale Of the mineral wealth
60 the government.
Although the McMurray contracts
were not referred to In II. the bill
Hamon said, was so termed that Nc
Murray might have been enabled to
put In a claim for the attorneys fees.
The measure was not passed.
Challenges Crsager.
81 want Mr.. Creager recalled to the
stand TO answer these charges" said
Hamon. "I want him to acknowledge
why. just after he introduced that
bill ne went TO McMurray and under
the guise OF loans demanded from
MoMurray large srms OF money. /
think IL will throw considerable light
ON the Indisr land situation at WASH
ington II Creager Is recalled and asked
about his demands for money from
MoMurray."
On being examined by Congressman
Burke. chairman OF the committee,
that IL was doubtful IL Creager would
be recalled. Hamon asked to be allow
ed to introduce witnesses to testify
as 10 his charges. His request was
taken under ADJUSTMENT.
Was Indian Day.
IL was Indian day" at the hearing.
Many Indians testified they had signed
tho McMurray contracts allowing 10|
per cent. attorneys fees because they
had been impatient at the government.
As government wards. they said. they
had concluded they had to employ
attorneys to light the government In
order TO secure what money had been
promised.
IL was pointed out that the Choc-
taws and Chickasaws had signed the
contracts. These covered portions of
the State which contain more than
one-third OF the Indian population.
Thst NcNur-nv's nrcfts rae gone
among the Indians and asked them 20
sign the contracts ana 10 send the
telesTams 20 President TAFT urging
him 20 approve tho sale OF the land
on q 10 EcE seDt. attorneys ice"
basis was the burden of most of the
Indians testimony.
M Used to II.
I'VE have become used to that 10
per cent idea" declared Park An
derson, a Choctaw. most of the In
dams In this State having to pay 10
per cent. on all debts and borrowed
money We have become so depen-
dent on attorneys that they have a
hand In almost everything we do"
DO you mean to say that to sell
your land your are willing to give Nc
Murray s3.000.000 or enough to hire
all the lawyers in oklahoma?" asked
Mr.. Miller.
Yes. we have waited so long for
the government that we would give
rs per cent II IT would cause a quick
sale. We need to develop the land
on which we live"
10 was estimated by c. c. Choates.
another Indian. that II his land was
sold through the McMurray his share
would be 5000 with a reduction of
$500 In fee. Now" he said, "I would
rather have $4,000 while 1 am living
than wait until the government acts
and get $1,000 when I'm dead"
A One-eyed Witness.
singular appearance was pre-
sented by Charles LAHORE. a Choctaw,
VINO as captain OF police had figured
In many battle of 80 plains He had
only one eye, three of his fingers were
shot of and his body was covered with
bullet wounds. Asked about the ac-
tivity of MeMurray's agents. he re-
lated that he had been approached by
George w. Scott. acting for McMur-
ray. and had been Induced to sign a
telegram. the wording OF which he
himself had not dictated. addressed to
Richard c. Adams OF Washington. an
attorney. The substance OF this tele-
gram was that the Indians approved