Arizona republican., 1910-08-14
MONEY WOULD MELT AWAY
And the Indians Would Become a Burden on Okla homa. Cecil Lyon Speaks of His One time Relation With McMurray.

Sulphur, Okla, Aug 13.-Witnesses testified before the congressional h. alan land investigating committee to- day that if the Indian lands were sold for S30,0O0,000 and the proceeds were turned over to the Indians in cash, the state within ten years would be flooded with paupers It is assert = ed that many of the Indians who signed the McMurray contracts. all lowing a 10 per cent attorneys fee" to McMurray and his associates. are irresponsible in financial affairs They would soon squander the cash, it is declared. that within few years the country would be confronted with the problem of how to take care of them
 Except for the appearance on the stand of Cecil A. Lyon. the national republican committeeman of Texas, the witnesses today were all Indians Lyon told of his financial interest in the old tribal McMrray contracts, which provided for a 10 per cent fee, but was disapproved by President Roosevelt He said he had talked with Mir. Roosevelt with regard to the contract
 
 vited by McMurray to join in the deal sbseause sof his political influ- ence and acquaintance with the presi- dent Lyon said he supposed he was. and he also attributed the invitation to his business ability. His purpose. he said, as soon ass the contracts were approved by the president, was to induce the money interests in New f. he which includes about 45O.0O0 acres of coal and asphalt lands As soon as the president disapproved the con tracts, said Lyon. his connection with McMurray ceased and he was not in- terested in the present contracts.
 Although he had signed the pres ent contracts, and was willing that McMurray should receive his s3,0OO.- 900 fee fsr selling the land, thereby rendering the service which the gov ernment had promised without cost. j. F. Myers, a Chickasaw Indian by intermarriage, declared that in his opinion many of the Indians would soon spend their share of the money and become dependents. Of the 1S, GOO Choctaws and 5000 Chickasaws who would share in the proceeds, many WOULD cOleGl @lV.oOO tdtA.
 Instead of using the money to inn prove the farms on which they live and which they would still retain after the surplus lands were disposed of, would great many soon part with the cash?" asked Representative C B. Miller.
 "Yes, in ten years a lot of them wouldn't have anything" was the reply. "They would become paupers, and with the government no longer to look to. they would become a charge upon the state.
 Tn. disposing of the lands congress should consider. that probability. At the same time, there should be dis tinction in favor of those Indians who have become thoroughly civil ized, and as able as white men to take care of their affairs"
 Many Chickasaws. he said. were willing to give McMurray as high as 25 Der cent attorneys fees if he would sell the land within year
 Would many be willing to pay Me Murray a million dollars for doing something the government promised to do for nothing?" asked MT Gore of Benjamin Dourlan, Chickasaw.
 ''Yes, they wanted to get QUICK settlement"
 Tt is two years since these con tracts have been signed; have you known of McMurray having done anything in Washington that would hasten the sale?"
 NO. but We felt that he had influ- ence to work with congressman there"
 Robbers Roost, a town of fifty people and one store. in southern oklahoma, again figured in the hear ing. William Bales told of having visited there. and McMurray's agents got him to sign contracts. It is also the point from which MeMurrays agent started one day to attend war counciI' of Indians, where 6oo contracts were signed at one time Near Robbers Roost is place called Desperate Spring