The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1910-08-09
INDIANS GLAD
TO GIVE FEES
And McMurray Gave ST Each
to Secure Signatures
TO THE LAND CONTRACTS
He Was Reluctant to Act--The choc-
taws Had Faith That He Could
Procure the Sale Of Their
Lands.
TO THE LAND CONTRACTS

afcAlester, Okla, Aug. "a charge
that Congressman g. Z. Creager, Of the
third Oklahoma district had solicited
money from J. F. McNimray, holder Of
the Indian land contracts now under
congressional investigation, was made
yesterday BY Jake L. Hamon before the
epecial committee, appointed by the
House Of Representatives. The charge
developed in connection with the IN
quiry into Senator Cores declaration
that he had been offered a $4,000 bride
to help put through Congress the Me-
Murray deal, by which he asserted, Me
Murray and his associates would secure
sS,00OO00, or 10 per cent, as attor-
ney's fees in the sale Of $4,000 acres
Of land, now belonging to the Indians
in this state Appearing before the com.
mittee yesterday, Hamon made the coun-
ter charge against creager. He said the
congressman had solicited money from
McNrurny during the pendency in Con
gress Of a bill which had been drawn
up BY McAlurray and which Creager in
PRODUCED.
1t was, aIndian day" at the hear.
ing. Many Indians testified they had
iigned the AlcMurray contracts because
they had been inpatient at the govern.
ment Although the governments
wards, they said, they had concluded
they had to employ attorneys to fight
the government in order to secure what
money had been promised. II was point.
Cd out that IS per cent. Of the Choc-
taws and Chickashaws had signed the
ten per cent agreement. This repre-
sented a large portion Of the 10000
Indians in this state, which contains
more than one third Of all the Indians
in the United States.
II was estimated by G. O. choate,
Cboctaw, that II his land was sold
through the McAImrrsy contracts, his
share would be 5000, with a reduc.
ton Of $500 in fees. eNow,p he said,
Il would rather have $500 while / am
living than wait tin the government
acts and get 5000 when I'm dead
W. r Holman, Choctaw Indian, ties.
titled that he had been employed BY =
IF. McMuray, holder Of the contracts,
to 90 out among the Oklahoma Indians
ard induce them to sign the documents,
At the same time, Holman related, he
was paid "a dollar a head for secsr.
ing contracts appointing MeAlurray t.
act in tax cases.
In this way, McMurrsy procured sl0,-
600 contracts to sell land. The terms
were 10 per cent. for attorneys fees,
or sSOO0,000 profit for McMurray and
bis associates.
To promote this deal in Congress,
Senator Gore contends he was offered
a $4,000 or $4,000 bride.
Holman testified that he himself had
signed the 10 per cent. contracts, Be.
cause he, in common with other In
dams, had become discouraged over the
governments promise to sell the land.
Il would have given % per cent, t.
MeAImray.s said Holman, "if he would
have gotten us the money quickly.
TIe said he believed some Of the Indians
would be willing to give McMurray IS
per cent. In statement TO the COM
mittee and without going on the stand
McAfurraw stated that the contracts
came to him originally against his de.
sires lie said that the Indians at an
ar councit' had demonstrated their i'm
patience at the governments alleged
aaowness IN the selling Of the land and
had called upon him to take the job
at 10 per cent, which he did With r.
luctance. AfcAIurray will 60 on the
stand later.
Questioned further, Holman testified
it was the belief Of the Indians that
their property was worth from $4,000
600 to 100000, and the understand
ing was that McMurray was to get 10
per cent. Of this.
ut was the belief Of the Indians that
AIsNnrray had some power at Washing
ton BY which he would be able to- get
It more quickly than If it were left
TO the government y asked Congress
man f. w. Sanders Of Virginia.
Eve did not know how he was going
to get It, but we thought he knew how,
was the answer.
@Did you think McMurray was a ma
giciango
I'VE thought he knew how to do it,