The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-08-13

MORE bR|BE TALK
Ex.U S. District Attorney
Offered $1,000.
INDIANS APPROVED BIG FEES
Six Hundred at One Time Signed
McMurray Contract Papers and
Thought They Were Get
ting a Bargain.
INDIANS APPROVED BIG FEES

Manchester, Okla, Aug. ll.-lnat
partner of J. +. McMurray had onered
him a present" OF $4,000 two years
ago. when the land contracts were
under discussion. was testified to by
T.. B. Latham. former United States
attorney. before the congressional
committee probing the Indian land
bribery scandal.
Latham testified that McMurrays
partner agreed to turn over the money
after the contracts had been put
through" but Latham said 1t was not
stipulated that any service would be
given by him for the money. His aP
pearance as a witness was at the In
stance OF Senator Gore.
Il was testified that COO Indians as
sembled at a war council at Sulphur
and wrote their signatures individually
TO the McMurray land contracts. with
the idea that they were getting a bar
gain.
Although informed that J. F. Nc
Murray, holder OF the contracts, would
net a profit OF 100000 in "attor-
neys fees" the Indians were advised
that the contracts afforded the quick
est way to realize on their land. estl'
mated to be 100000 acres in extent
and valued at from s3O.OOO,OOO to S4O'
600 900.
In addition to the land contracts
McMurray's agents had the Indians
sign contracts for tax cases against
the government at a stated fee for
each case. The land fee was 10 per
cent. contingent upon the sale OF the
land.
James II. Godfrey. a Chlckasaw In
dian by intermarrlage, gave this tes-
timony. Godfrey said he induced the
Indians TO assemble at Sulphur TO per-
suade them to sign the contracts, al
most 10000 OF which McMurray had
previously obtained. McMurray, he
said. had been successful in previous
litigation for the Indians. and the In
dams believed II they paid him 10 per
cent attorneys fees he would be able
TO urge the authorities at Washington
TO expedite the sale
do YOU mean TO say that you told
the Indians 1t would be a bargain TO
pay McMurray several million dollars
TO do something which the government
already has promised to do?" asked
Senator T. p. Gore
Eyes. We thought It would be
bargain"
He thought It was a bargain be-
cause the government had not done
anything
The witness said in obtaining the
tax contracts McMurray allowed him
81 a head. He said also part OF his
expenses were paid.
Jake /. Hamon, who was charged by
Senator Gore with having offered him
(Gore) $4,000 as a bride In connec-
ton with the contracts, again went
on the stand Hamon was questioned
regarding his counter charges that
COnETeSSWhn OItdbci hdu ophNieS~
sums" OF money from McMurray.
Hamon testified he had witness to
prove that Creager had asked McMur-
ray for money Hamon also repeated
his previous testimony that he was In
Washington in the interest OF c. N.
Haskell. governor Of Oklahoma, who
was under federal indictment In the
Muskogee town lot cases. Despite
Governor Haskells denial, Hamon
maintained that Haskell had paid his
expenses to Washington and was to
allow him a fee.
Didn't you on May 7 last ask Con-
gresham c. d. Carter to urge me to
withdraw my bill holding up the Nc
Murray contracts?" Hamon was ask
ed by Senator Gore.
81 did not" replied Hamon.
Congressman Carter is here and
may be asked what he knows about
the alleged bribery.
Called to the stand. Mr.. Creager re-
peated his denials given previously In
interviews.