The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-03-27

The case of Gena Tippitt Arnold VS..
the Ardmore Chamber of Commerce In
dustrial Corporation, ct al, which is
now pending in the Federal Court,
brings back to the minds of many
Oklahomans who were here during the
years 1903 and 1904, the tales Of the
manner in which wife men brought to
the Indian Territory Mississippi Choc-
taw Indians, and the manner in which
these white men attempted to possess
themselves of the land which was al
Iotted to the Indians. and of monies
derived from these lands. The Arnold
case is one Of many in which the plain
tiff seeks title 10 some allotted land on
the allegation that the plaintiff is the
adopted child of the original allottee,
now deceased In the particular case
in which the Ardmore Chamber of Com
merce Industrial Corporation ct al are
the defendants, Mrs. Arnold claims
that she is the adopted child Of a Mis-
sissippi Choctaw Indian named Jane
Bell. Ardmore "old-timers" state that
Mrs. Arnold has claimed, as court rec
the adopted child of more than 100 Of
these Indian immigrants from Missis-
sippi. One case now in the files of the
Carter county court, in which Mrs.
Arnold claims to be the adopted child of
one of the Indians, contains the follow
ing instrument purporting to be the
legal act of adoption, and which was
subsequently declared by Judge NJ. +.
Winfrey presiding in the county court,
as illegal, void and Intellectual, in that
the same seeks to determine title to
lands allotted to the Indian by virtue
of his membership in Choctaw Tribe
lands. The instrument executed by the
Indian and purporting to be the de
claration of heirship, reads as follows:
Now. whereas, Gena Tppit has
heretofore proven to be a true friend Of
mine; has assisted me in many ways;
looked after my health; in sickness
cared for me; and since my removal
to the Indian Tertiary has aided me in
securing my home; and has practically
supported me while in said territory
and aided me in securing my rights as
a Mississippi Choctaw. and whereas
further the interest which ! now own
and which | may hereafter be entitled
to in the lands, monies and other prop.
critics of the Choctaw and Chkkasaw
nations by virtue of my being "A Mis-
sissppi Choctaw, constitutes practical
ly all my estate, and whereas. further
appreciating what said Gene Tppit
has done for me, and her exceeding
kindness to me- my increasing old age
admonishes me that II | ever acknowl-
edge my appreciation for the many
benefits have received at her hands
| in the manner as adopting her as my
child. that | should do so at once: and
! desire to do this freely, voluntarily
and Of my own accord, Therefore, be
| II known by all men by these pres
ents that / for and In consideration
of my love and affection for Gcna Tip
| pit, and in appreciation for what she
has done for me. especially in support.
| ing me and looking after me in my
old age. and as | am without wife or
/ issue. do declare and make Gena Tip
| pit my heir at law, etc. the
said Gena Tippit to take Of my estate
the share OF a child at my death In ac-
cordance with the provisions, etc. ."
The Gena Tippit referred to in the
above instrument is the Mrs. Arnold
who is the plaintiff in the suit against
the Chamber of Commerce Industrial
| Corporation ct al Mr.. Arnold. the man
whom she married later, was engaged
with number of others, during the
years 1903 and later In transporting
the Indians from Mississippi to the
| territory. Al the time, state many OF
the prominent residents here, Gena
Tippit was acting In a secretariM ca
pncty for MIR. Arnold
In 1903. the United States govern
ment appropriated $50 600 FOR the NOV
I ing Of the Mississippi Choctaw Indians
| 10 the Indian territory. for the purpose
| Of having them settle on allotments
I here. Many of those who We're trans
ported by the governments officers lat
/ er fell into the hands Of socalled graf
ters. hut they were generally looked af-
ter by the local officials. 1t was for
this reason that the plan to transport
them privately was adopted by the
speculators
Governor McNurtain, Of the Choctaw
| Nation. appealed to the Indian de-
! partment ut Muskogee In 1904. and ask