The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-12-27
FINE FOR SIMPLE LIFE
is ARGUMENT ADVANCED
Incidentally He Boosts Few
Other Sa|eab'e Properties
Of Indians
(I,y Leased Wlro)

10Y llNdntu NHNJ
Washington, December 27-"Thc
100000 acres of coal anu asphalt land
owned by the Choctaw aud Chicka-
saw Indians of Oklahoma comprises
virtually all OF the Dest grade OF coal
in the Southwestern country. This
Is only one of the several rich prop
critics these two tribes are desirous
of placing on the market in order
that the proceeds may be divided
among the individual citizens on a.
per capita basis,
This statement was made by J. r.,
McMurray, of McAlester, wso holds
the two tribes as their attorney and
representative In handling these im-
mensely valuable properties. 1t was
in connection with these contracts
that the so-caled core bribery
charges were maize in the closing
days OF last session of congress.
While the investigating committee
was in Oklahoma Chairman Burke
said the committee knew MI. McMur'
ray possessed more Information about
Choctaw and Chickasaw affairs than
any living man.
How Coal was Discovered
The story of the discovery of coal
in the Choctaw and Chickasaw coun-
try is interesting. When asked what
the two tribes have to sell, Mr.. Me-
Murray first mentioned the coal lands
giving little OF the history OF the
discovery of coal
"The credit for the discovery OF
coal in this region belongs to David
Mish-a-Mon Tubby," said Mr.. McMur-
ray He was full blood Choctaw.
About five miles east of McAlester
he picked up pieces of coal. He took
them to MeAlester, where they were
examined Several leading men ex-
amined the territory in which the
coal had been found. This was In the
days OF the OK wagon A wagon was
loaded with coal and sent overland
into Kansas. Attention Immediately
was attracted to the country. II lel
to the building of the Missouri, Kan
sas and Texas railroad.
Indian Entitled to Rights
THE Indians have magnificent
property in these mineral lands. They
own outright monopoly OF the fuel
supply of the Southwest. In my iudg-
ment, they have perfect right to
any financial benefit; tnat naturally
would come from the ownership Of
such a monopoly. II this property
were owned by railroad or any 9th
er corporation. ii would reap the full
benefit of the monopoly. The Indians
should be permitted to do likewise.
"While fabulous estimates OF the
value of the segregated coal and as
phalt lands have been heralded broad
cast, my Judgment Is that the proper
ty Is worth S30,000000 Whether any
thing like that sum ever will be re-
allied from their sale by the indians
viii largely depend uEcn the charac-
ter OF the legislation congress must
pass TO govern their disposal.
The lnJians' rights should be con
sdered first. because the property ne
longs to them. would go so far as TO
suggest that this rule be observed 10
single concern. If necessary, or. at
most, breaking up the big segregation
into a few large districts.
Timber Holdings Valuable.
The pine timber land OF the Choc-
taw and Chickasaws is situated just
below the kiamitia mountains, in the
Valley OF the Red River, and in the
southeastern part Of the Choctaw ma.
tlon. II contains as good short leaf
yellow pine as ca gbe found anywhere
IN the country, and pr9psy adverus'
ed should bring good prices VIXEN put
up for sale. | am not prepared to say
offhand how many acres Of CONNER
clally valuable timber the Indians
own. Aoout 25O,e00 acres Of high
grade timber would be a conservative
estimate
There are upwards Of 1,2oOOOI
acres OF foresf land In the two tribe:
but good deal Of il does not contall
timber of commercial value Mucl
Of II Is rough mQuntaip and, The com
merciallH 9AiE{iile tlbber also Ah0ul.
be sold n,iddf' terms as liberal as !
proper regard for the rights Of TIL
Indians viii permit They should b
treated exactly as any other owne
OF valuable property.
Ideal for Game Preserves.
The rough mountain and Of III
Kiamltla country could be disposed o
IA tvsutaec r sSid N large tracts
This region Is valuable chiefly as
hunting and fishing preserve Ricl
men af the East would be glad L
pnfchaxe large portions Of the Kian
tia mountains i gwen the onplrtnn