The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-08-07
GORENVESTIGATION
AT MUSKOGEE ENDS
Congress Committee Goes to
McAlleSter Monday.
WITNESS ACCUSES McCURRAY
ID. c. McCurtain, Indian Layer and
Son Of Tribal Governor, Says He
Was offered s25,OOO While in
Washington TO Influence Legisla-
tion-Curtis Exoncrntes Sherman.

Muskogee. Okla. Aug 6-The hrst d.
rect tests Of the special Investigating
committee Of Congress that In any way
involved j. F. McCurry. an attorney Of
McAllester. Okla, IN the charge OF max
ing improper overtures 70 influence legis-
lation. was given at to-day's session by
d. c. McCmtain. an Indian, son Of Gov.
Green McCurtain and tribal attorney for
the Choctaws.
Young McCurtain said that early IL
1896 McMurray sent for him. and that
while in the lobby of the Raleigh Hotel
in Washington the McAllester attorney
offered him $4,000 If he would withdraw
! his objection 10 contracts that were
pending. McMurray further said. so
Young McCurtain testified. that he might
/ be compelled 70 cut the amount down II
the Secretary OF the Interior paid the
fee McNIurray introduced TO McCurtain
| Cecil Lyon. national committeeman OF
Texas. whom. McMurray said. was inter
ested with i'm in the contracts.
offered an Interest.
! The second sensation OF the day came
when Green NcCurtain. principal chief
and governor Of the Choctaws. took The
stand and made the statement that
! George Scott. the chiefs son-in-law. had
visited his (Gov. McCurtain's) home and
offered him one-fOurth interest in tho
McAfurrav contracts II the chief would
sign A letter indorsing the individual con
tracts letter that had been sent out
To the people OF the tribe bearing Gov
lMcCurtain's name and urging them L
thank Dick Adams for the interest he wa
taking in the contracts was declared by
the chief 10 be a partial forgery.
The chief said he had dictated letteI
TO Adams thanking him for lis stand il
opposing the reopenBg OF the rolls. TIL
letter was sent 10 the bank az Kinta
Chief McCurtain said. to be Transcribed
Part of this letter was used and NOR,
added. which was unauthorized. and tn
CHIEFS name signed The chief swore h
had never signed the letter.
The testimony Of Senator Curtis exon
Grated Vice President James s. Sherman
himself. and the ex-Senators from Kan
= sas and Nebraska. when ne detailed wha
; took place at the conference at the Whit
! House with the President He said tina
not only himself. bpt Mr.. Sherman. a
well as the President, were opposed {
the McMurray contracts. This contra
i. dicted the testimony of Senator Cor,
who said that Sherman and Curtis wer
interested
McGuire Makes Denial.
The testimony Of Representative Mo
CURE to-day was a general denial of III
charges made in former testimony. Dun
ing the crOss-examination OF Mcclure II
feeling between the men over the distr
button of patronage cropped out.
y J. Milton Turner. Of st. Louis. negrC
2 testified that he was an agent for a s.
y Louis syndicate that had a contract I
enroll negroes OF Indian blood in tn
S Chickasaw National, and that he had
= personal contract with the Cherokees {
= similar nature. He said that Gre
:. and Catwen, st. Louis attorneys for III
p: syndicate. had paid him 500 a week I
!: set contracts from the negroes. Turnt
was for eight years Minister to LiberI
!. under Grants administration.
The committee adjourned 10 meet
, McAllester Monday morning. The con
? mittee will hold a three-day session
|, McAllester. McMurray has invited a
, Choctaws and Chickasaws to be preseI
7 at McAllester. and 1t is expected a lars
,, crowd win attend Already many hot
: rooms have been reserved McAllester
McNurray's nome.