Omaha daily bee., 1910-08-15
INDIANS CALLED SPENDERS
If Lands Were Sold Proceeds Would
Be Squandered.
MANY sIGNERs IRRESPONSIBLE
All ."Original Americans"
with Exception of Cecil A. Lyons
He Had Talked with ROOse-
welt of Contracts,

SULPHUR, okl.. Aug 14-witnesses testi-
fled before the congressional Indian land
investigation committee yesterday that II
the Indian lands in Oklahoma we're sold
and the saO,OO0OOo proceeds were turned
over to the Indians in cash the state within
ten years would be flooded with paupers.
1t was asserted that many Of the Indians
who signed the McMurray contracts, al
lowing 10 per cent attorneys fee" to
j. f. MeMurray and his associates, were
financially irresponsible. They would soon
squander the cash, It was declared, and
within a 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, republican national com
mitteeman OF Texas, the witnesses today
were all Indians. Mr.. Lyon told Of his
financial interest in the old tribal Nc
Murray contracts which provided for a 10
per cent fee, but which were disapproved
by President Roosevelt in 1908 He said
he had talked with President Roosevelt in
regard to the contracts.
Asked IL he had been invited by Nc
Murray to join in the deal because of his
political influence and his acquaintance
with the president. Mr.. Lyon said he sup
posed he was, but he also attributed the
invitation to his business ability.
Would Sell Property.
1t was his purpose, he said. as soon as
the contracts were approved by the presi-
dent to induce the money interests of New
York and London to buy the property.
which includes about 10000 acres OF coal
and asphalt land. AS soon as the president
A4eav a s.f
Lyon, his connection with McMurray
ceased, and he was not interested in the
present contracts.
Although he had signed the present con-
tracts and was willing that McMurray
should receive 100000 as fee for selling
the land and thereby rendering service
which the government had promised to do
without cost, ]. F. Myers, a Chickasaw
Indian by inter-marriage. declared that in
his opinion many Indians would soon spend
their share of the money and become de-
pendents. OF the 1900 Choctaws and the
5000 Chickasaws who would share in the
proceeds, many would collect from 5000
to $4,000 each.
Instead Of using this money to improve
the farms on which they live, and which
they still would retain after their surplus
lands were disposed of, a great many would
soon be parted from their cash. Is that not
so?'' asked Representative C. B. Miller.
Yes, in ten years a lot of them wouldn't
have nothing" was the reply.
''They would become paupers and with
the national government no longer to look
after them would become a charge on the
state. In disposing of the land, congress
ought to consider that probability At the
same time there should be a distinction in
favor Of those Indians who have become
thoroughly civilized and are as able as
white men to take care OF their affairs
willing to Pay Big Fee.
Many Chickasaws testified that they wsy
willing to give McMurray as high as :.
per cent attorneys fees IL he would sell the
land within a year
do you mean TO say that you would be
willing to pay Moriarity from S3,oOO,o 900 to
81, 100000 for doing something which the
government has promised to do for moth
ing?" asked Senator Gore Of Benjamin
Dourlan, Chickasaw.
Eyes, we would get q quick settlement"
TN the two years since these contracts
have been signed have you heard of Nc
Murray doing anything at Washington
that would hasten the sale?"
mo; but We felt that he had the influ-
ence and the experience to work among
the congressman there"
Robbers Roost, a town of fifty popula-
ton and one store in southern Oklahoma,
again figured in the hearing.
William Bates told OF having been
visited there by McMurray agents, who
got him to sign contracts. 1t was also
the point from which a McMurray agent
started one day to attend n war coun-
cil' Of Indians. where 60 Contracts were
signed at one time, Near Robbers Roost
is a place called Desperate Springs
Cecil Lyon was on the stand all the
morning. In previous testimony D. C. Nc
Curtain, one Of the chiefs of the Chloe
taws, had declared that in 1905. in the
lobby of a hotel at Washington, McAdur-
ray had offered him a s25.oOo bride to with
draw opposition to the contracts At the
time the offer was made. Mccurtain test
fled, McMurray had been talking with Mr.
Lyon, but the latter had walked away
Mr.. Lyon declared today II any bribery
had been attempted ne knew nothing Of
it, Mr.. Lyon then related his connection
With tina old contracts