The Washington times., 1914-02-09
URGE JUSTICE FOR.
MISSISSIPPI INDIANS
Chief Says Those Who Didn't
Move to Reservation Have
Been Ignored.
By EDITH LoBERT.

By EDITH L0BERT.
The Choctaw Indian has always
IN a friend of the white man. He
Ight with Andrew jackson in the
: ninole war, and he fought with him
the battle of New Orleans.
This very friendship for the white
n has been the reason for his being
dly treated and his rights ignored.
Y e seek, not charity nor aims from the
Y mite Father, but merely that which
Is our just due"
The sharp black eyes of the Choc-
& " chief flashed as he talked of his
nission to Washington. He was not
I'D in tine picturesque garb of his tribe.
+ I.e did not wear a feather in his hat.
b It the Choctaw tongue had to be
anslated TO me after had heard the
% chieftain's eloquence In q strange
J .nguage.
They call him Wesley johnson. He
E I'd his faithful lieutenants have jour
nyed here in behalf of the full -blOOded
7dians which Uncle Sam has failed to
are for.
Entitled to Property.
According to the Dawes Commission,
appointed by Congress, it was found
that there were about 200 full-blooded
Choctaws entitled to property in that
part of Oklahoma which was formerly
dian Territory.
Nearly LOO of these actually moved
10 the Indian Territory, while 1000 re-
manned in Mississippi.
They and their descendants, according
J IT, Attorney Richardson. of the law
m of Ralston & Richardson, which Is
1oHv still
the marshes of Mississippi and are
-eatly in need of help.
The failure of the cotton crops in
at section during the last few years
IS made It impossible for them to sus-
ain themselves properly" he says.
they are forced 10 cultivate land "on
ares" and without necessary stock
ID implements. Since the removal OF
ChOctaws TO Oklahoma in 1903, those
r. no moved have not only received yalu-
s lie estates, but their children have
r-en educated in the Indian schools and
ave learned to speak English, to read
nd write, and properly TO protect and
are for themselves and their property.
Under Old Conditions.
The Mississippi Choctaws. however.
a-e growing up under the old condi-
ons, their children uneducated, and
-1eir condition generally deplorable.
lore than 500 children OF school age can
Neither read nor write. and are grow
nS up in ignorance
According to the chief and his fol-
lowers, no public land now remains. so
they could get homes, and they believe
that the Government should. after so
iong a delay, do justice to these red
Iren, in part fulfilling treaty obligations
with them, and in part rewaTding them
for services and friendship to the white
people who settled the State.
The Choctaws were loath to- leave
Mississippi" continued Attorney Rich
ardson, because of their friendship for
the white man. The records show that
ter the signing. of the Dancing Rabbit
.Teaty, in 1880, more than 1900 adult
dians made application to be permit
I'd TO remain in Mississippi.
Had the Choctaw Indian been blood
liTsty- il is probable that the Federal
rUvernfnent would have removed him
the Indian Territory, where he could
% 10 harm, and then each ChOctaw
"ould have received what was due him
-om tha sale and lease Of Indian lands
5 the !ituation now is, the Mississippi
hoctaw is reduced to penury and want
Pushmataha, the noted chief Of the
hoctaWs, was great friend of Presi-
IPnt Jackson. He died in Washington.
ackson visited him during his last il-
ess, and the old chiefs dying request
as: Let the big guns be fired over
ne when am dead Jackson gave him
military funeral. and a company Of
aTtllery literally fired the big guns over
Is grave. One of the most imposing
IOnuments in the old Congressional
emetery is that Of this great Choctaw
hief."
They Visit Officials.
The delegation. which has been In
"ashington for about two weeks, first
isited Commissioner of Indian Affairs
alto Sells, Secretary Lane. and several
onETessmen. and were received Thurs
.Iy by the President
4 beautiful array OF beadwork and
askets. for which the Choctaws are
oted, was brought by the chief to be-
tow upon officials.
Chief Wesley johnson is acconpauied
N his mission here by Culbertson
avis and Emil John, whose Indian
anne is Ahojeobe, who represent the
Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana
hoctaw council James r. Arnold al
'prney-in-fact, is also active in pronot
M legislation which will give the tribe
IL just dues.
This delegation has just completed its
ask of interviewing SO members OF
ongress in an effort to put their case
sfore the Federal Government hayin.
cen denied formal hearing by the
iouse Committee on Indian Affairs
We left our families TO come here TO
his pus I,Oh,'." concluded the chief. 1T
a long, long journey and We mar not
make u soon again. We must not leave
Hything undone which will bring the
Istice and the enlightenment which
NY people need"