The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1924-07-31
zoo MILLIONS is
INDIANS DEMAND
Chickasaws Will Press
Claim for Payment for
Land in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma City. Okla--Psyment for
100000 acres OF land IA Oklahoma.
once designated as q leased district"
that now has value Of probably
800 coo. 600. "a 10 be asked OF the
United States government by the
cticxssse Indians. according 10
Douglas u Johnston. governor Of the
chickasan nation. who returned re-
Gently from Washington. where he re-
NAMED for cir months looking after
tie interests of his people.
In controversy, out OF which a suit
for payment will grow. are involved
doubtful construction Of treaty made
IN iss5 between the chlekasaws and
the United States government and the
pride Of race exhibited b. this chicka-
saws when they declined 10 adopt
freedom--negroes who have been
slaves Of the Inflans--as members Of
the tribe. . consequence OF which IL
that the chickasaws have remained
singulsriy free from intermirfure with
the negro race.
Wsrs lssss contrsots
The leased district. ia what later
vas Oklahoma territory. covered
lands once occupied by the Wichita
md sfliisfed tribes. The Chiekasaws
hold that contracts covering II were
ease contracts. This was an opinion
expressed BY the Court OF Claims
<hen the matter nrst was appealed
The United States Supreme court.
however. held that contracts involved
and that the lands were
old. The area was regarded by the
government as public domain and sold
o settlers for many millions OF dol
ara
Under the treaty Of $780," says
Governor Johnston. 'the Chickasaws
nd croetaws 'ceded' these western
snds 10 the United States for certain
pecidc purposes. These purposes
'ers. among other things. for the set
smenf Of friendly Indians. for the
rmovsi Of Chicksssw and Choctsw
'eedmsn and the settlement OF such I
'embers OF the tribe as might desire
, remove thereto. The treaty also
royided for q fund OF $500 900. which |
rs to be held In trust b. tho United '
tstes pending tho removal or adop-
on Of the freedmen. II was provid. !
I that the Chiekasaw and Choctaw
'eedmen were 10 be removed n the
fbe failed TO adopt them within two
psrs. In which event the 10000
ss to be used for removal II the
ibs adopted sech freedmen within
10 time specified. they we're 10 have
% benent Of the 100000 !
Freedmen Never Adopted. 4
''1hs Chiekassw freedmen never v
IRE adopted The tribe never has 1
simed nor has II ever received any
m OF the consideration. Whether
. Choctaw freedmen legally were q
opted always has been . question. II
Certain friendly Indians we're set "
a on these lands under the pro q
lions Of the treaty. The right of q
'ieksssws and Chectaws TO sddi- IA
nal compensation for the land 80 Il
ID has been established BY the &C o,
"a OF congress In its direct appro- n
Isficn OF money for the payment Of n
> name TO the tribes. This money c,
q paid cut per capita IN 1903 and m
referred 20 ss the leased district
ymens The lands for which com
nssfior now 10 asked were com 10
sed In tho same area. IN
The Indians hold that they made al
lease and not conveyance" says ne
vernon Johnston Two great courts a.
Psred The language % the treaty va
. suffeiently uncertain to support
MEETING opinions Of the eourts"