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ihyjaffir T" V: wKi' i e ''i.tjHFV-iii.ft4IIMMa'iwitfwiu -?- j2iKv3 , o Indian Chieftain. . :raKi- QL.SO Tew Y.r Xn. Aiva, PabllihedThnradaye bfr Tm ClIlltrTAIN PooLiintna uoxrAMT. H. M. MARKS, Editor. M. E. MIt.FOKD, Mfthairer. Vinita, Ind. Teb., Fkd. 15, 1891. TiiunK Jb nothing whatever de finite regrtrdhtg tlio bond. Dick Wolpb is in Wiisliington and Is enid to bo n great admirer of Edwin D. Clmdtck. Tub Downing party mot in con Volition last Monday at Olnrcmoro ' and nominated Daniel Webster Vann lo nil thp unexpired term of Tiekeater, deceased. P. M. Mills acted as chairman of the meeting; Dr. Eintnot Starr n3 sec retary. Haity is the man that lins tie cured lor lilmaolf n good tract of farming land whilo it was to bo had. If tho rising generation gets any land in this country it will buy it unless pcrchanco tho land should bo allotted; then evcryono will got their sharo. Tiieiie is a prospect for tho largest apple crop this year that this country has ever soen. Peaches nro frequently killed in bud but apples aro never destroyod beforo blooming, therefore unless Bovero lata freezing comes after tho trees aro in bloom, we aro assured of an applo crop. Last March whon tho Strip bill passed congress with the intruder proviso in it wo predicted that tho intruders would all bo put out of tho country within one year at tho outside. Well, wo aro sorry to Bay that thoy havo not all been put out yet; in fact, nono of them have been removed but hundreds have been added to their numbers and at this writing thpy aro as serene as a May morning, with no inten tion of ever vacating, and wo must say with very littlo prospect of being ousted soon. W. H. Drew of this city is the National candidato for council to fill tho vacancy caused by tho death of Tiekeater. Henry Drew is known throughout tho district and nation as an honest man and is entirely competent to fill the placo of councillor. Vinita, by all means, should have a representa tive in council and this is her op portunity. We understand that tho Downing party is very anxious toBecure tho election of Tickeater's successor, as they aro already in the minority. Henry Drew is a safe man for cither party. The white adopted peoplo are arranging for a very important meeting at this place to-morrow (the ICtli) and delegates aro ex pected from all parts of tho coun try. Tho organization of Ihe white citizens hero is for tho settlement of their status as citizens of tho na tion. Just what rights tbey have here has of Into years been a mooted question. Every whito citizen in the country should at tend this meeting either in person or by proxy and assist in settling a question that means so much, not only to tho whites but to tho lifo of the nation as well. We print in this issuo a com munication from the Dawes com mission in which is set forth very clearly and fully the condition of affairs hero-in the five tribes. For years The Chieftain lias urged upon the Chcrokces the necessity of allotment of lands. The reasons aro set forth by the communication above referred to with great clear ness, and coming from tho source they do, aro no longer to be ignor ed. It is lo bo hoped that our people will ponder this mattei thoroughly and without prejudice. We havo reached a point at last whero wo must face the worst and prepare for it. Some of tho most pronounced advocates of Indian autonomy are willing to admit that tho chances ore that beforo tho Dawes commis sion is disbandod this nation, to gether with tho whole five nations, will have agreed to a change of somo kind in the manner of hold ing lauds. No intelligent person can deny that allotment and state hood is Inevitable, and If it is to come let it come in tho way that -c would bo tho moBt ndvantogeous to all concerned. The recent Strip transactions is enough to convince any reasonable mind that we are not safe in tho hands of our pres ent leaders and under our present system. A Quartor Century Tost. C For a quarter of a century Dr. KIqr'i Mew Dltcovery lia been tailed, and tktt millions who ua o received benefit from Us me loitKy to it wonderful amative powers in all dlacaiee of tlie tti root, cheat and lungs. A remedy tiiai km tud the test so long and ' Mm kw lvea o UDlverwl aaiufao. M U m cpriraMt. Knell bottle l Miti?tly guaranteed to give relief, or Mm MHf will be refunded, It Is ad , MiHwt to ba tbu raoat reliable for Mita and colds. Sold at A. W, Kore maa'a drag store. Largo use 60c, and 51.00. THE DAWKS OOMWUSSION. An Addroaq Kmbodylng Advloe aaa Warning. ItOOMI or Til UniIII) 9f Attl Oohsumion, I Mcikooei, 1. T , rb. 12, 1894. ( To the Citizens of the Five Civimzkd TnirtEs: Tho conditions existing in tho territory occupied by tho five civilized tribes aro not satisfactory to tho government of tho United Stales. For soveral years suggestions havo been mado by congress looking lo n change of these conditions and matters nave been steadily growing wore until now wo beliovo tho government has fully decided that tills terri tory must ho reorganized. It is too lato now to onquiro who is to blame. The ono thing tho country is interested in is to find and apply a remedy. Tho stops necessary in effecting this chango are First. Allotment of tho lands among tho owners so th. each will hold his share in severalty. Second. An abandonment of tribal organizations. Third. 'Tho organization of a territorial government or a union with Oklahoma. Wo beliovo theso steps will inev itably bo taken in the near future and the question is not whether thoro shall bo a division of land among tho owners, but in what method it shall bo dono. It is truo, treaties mado years sinco provided tribal governments and land holding in common should bo continued indefinitely. J he United States government is always anxious to obsorv.o its treaties, and always does so, un less changed conditions inako it necessary to ignore them for tho intorests of both parties. When theso treaties wcro mado this territory was far from tho hab itations of white men, and It could scarcely bo anticipated that the tribes would bo surrounded by set tlement as now, and that the timo would como when thuro would bo in tho territory two whito men to ono Indian, and that tho territory would become a refuge for crimi nals, preying on surrounding com muuities, and that the Indians would he so well qualified for citi zenship as they aro now. The development of tho country, tho progress of tho world, and changed condition of tho peoplo often make it necessary to amend constitutions and laws, or repeal them and en act others better suited to now conditions and the interests of the people. Dolievo us when wo tell you the present anomalous condition exist ing in the five tribes cannot last. Tho expenses of tho judiciary have become burdensome, and tho United States ought not to bo asked longer to endure them. And yet crimo is too prevalent, and tho large unsettled districts afford a harbor and refuge for criminals, making it nearly impossible to ar rest them. Tho policy now in ex istence of leasing largo tracts of land for grazing purposes and thus firoventing settlement, necessarily ends to a continuation of these evils. Twenty thousand children, both whito and Indian, are growing to maturity without the opportunities of obtaining a common school edu cation. Where government is the exponent of tho people's will, it cannot be good and wise unless the peoplo are educated and are intelligent. Not only aro theso children without educational ad vantages, but they aro without moral and religious instruction. This is tho road lo barbarism, and tho United States cannot allow its people to travel this path without making all possible efforts to pre vent U. Indeed, it is under the highest possible obligations to ex ert all its power to prevent it. The earlier settlers and tho more enterprising and avaricious, under tho laws and usages of tribal gov ernment, aro enjoying a monopoly of nearly all the best lands, and have fenced tracts of laud contain ing ten times their share, while tho diffident and retiring fullblood Indians have been crowded back into the stony, wooded hills and worthless lands, and am compelled to eke out an existenco on a few acres, and are eo widely separated and so far removed from progress ive influences as to make schools impossible, and arc making little or no progress in civilization. This is neither just nor humane, and is a matter of grave concern to every friend of the Indian, and all who desire to see him prosperous, happy and on tho way to a higher civilization. Every day of delay but adds to the difficulties of division. Nu merous towns ranging in popula tion from 100 to 6,000 havo grown up without being platted, and in which large and valuable buildings havo been erected, whilo tho title to the ground on which they stand belongs to a tribo and is held in common. To adjust the equities growing out of this situation is al ready wellnigh impossible, involv ing great labor, and is continually growing greater. Coal mines, leased and opened, on which largo sums of money are being expended, are continually adding to the difficulties of allot ment. Many complaints aro mado by members of the various tribes that a few influential men are obtaining leases om the councils for exten sive tracts of tho best land At a nominal rental, and subletting these leases to white men for graz ing purposes for large sums of money, those occupying the land being bought or driven out. That trials in Indian courts aro a farco and justice a by-word. That the public monoys aro ab sorbed, and when filtered through their hands, little of it roaches the poor and powerless, and in many cases none. To whet extent theso complaints aro well foundod wo have no means ol knowing, though they aro ropre Bcntcd to be truo by many mem bers of the various tribes, and at tested by non-citizens ol the highest chorantor. Hut wo make no charges. Ills also claimed by many that the common pople are terrorized or misled by those interested in prolonging the prosent condition of things, or thoy would bo unan imously in favor ol allotment. Division of tho common lands and abandonment of tribal auton omy would bo'Buccooded by a ter ritorial government created by congress. In this there would bo a gov ernor, secretary, and sunorlor judges appointed by tho president. l ho legislature similar to' thoso you now havo and tho county and township officers Would bo elected by tho qualified voters. Tho gov eminent usually pays tho governor, tho secretary, tho judges and the members of tho legislature, and tho expenses to bo homo by taxation would bo light. Tho annuities already set apart for educational purposes, to which might bo added tho money arising from tho salo of tho 16th and 32nd -sections of land, would mako a common school fund, tho inlorest on which would placo schools in the reach of all. Tho monev cominir from tho government might bo divided up, ami enablo each alloltco to estab lish himsolf in a good homo on his allotment. In the allotment of lands a sharo of tho best land would fall to the now secluded lullblood and would bring him, if ho wished, from tho hills into contact with thoso who arc educated and moro progressive and his children within reach of tho common schools, and insure a homogeneous and progressive peo ple, all ol whom would in a short timo bo well qualified to oxcrciso tho duties ol citizenship. As mat tors now are, tho massos of full blood Indians nro making littlo or no progress in education or civili zation. Surely theso desirablo re sults ought to appeal strongly to the justice, wisdom and humanity of all tho more advanced of tho va rious tribos and induce, them to forego their superior advantages for accumulating monoy arising from their holdings of tho best land. Under such a government, with the opportunities of education within the reach of all, with the spurs lo industry and effort arising from individual ownership of land, your beautiful and fertile country would soon bo transformed to a state of high cultivation and peo pled with happy, prosperous and progressive communities,and dem onstrate to your friends that their confidence in you has been well founded, and that the Indian is tho equal of any raco in all that per tains to civilization and enlighten ment. Contrast all this with the pres ent bituation and deliberately ro solve that tho government of tho United States is your wisest and best fricnd.and that it is your duty to co-operate with it in reaching this desirablo end. We come to you as friends and if wo know our hearts with the Bingle purpose to help you to a ueiier me. But if you shall rofuso to onter into agreements with us to volun tarily allot your lands and accept cuizenBiiip in ,uiu repuuuu, no urn convinced it will come through an enactment of congress, in shaping which you will have little to uo, and in which you would probably be denied many advantages which may now be secured by agreement. Some lawyers among you prob ably in the pav ol large landhold ers aro telling you congress has no power to annul a treaty. This question ought to be regarded as settled by the repeated decisions of the supreme court of tho United States. In the Cherokee tobacco case that court held that a treaty may suspend a prior act of con gress, anil an, act ot congress may suspend a prior treaty. This caso is reported in 11th, Wallace, page 021 To the same effect is Eays vs. Robertson, 112 U. S. Reports, pago 6SO. Another question of great mo ment to the Indian is, who is to decide what persons are entitled to allotment. Thero are many thous amis who are claiming this right and if congress shall mako provis ion by law to divide your lands, it will also make provision lor a trib unal to settle the question who are allottees, wholly independent of your tribal governments. Some among you aro claiming that this right belongs exclutively to the different tribos and that it has been eo decided by the supreme court in the case of Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians vs. United States tt. al., 107 U. S supreme court reports, page 880, Upon ex amination it will be seen that the question there decided was, that as the Eastern Cherokees had abandoned their membership in the Cherokee nation and voluntar ily ceased to bo members of it, and brcomo citizens of the United States, that they had lost all their tribal rights, which could not be restored except by the Cherokee nation admitting them again to membership. But it is not there decided that the Cherokee nation has the sole right to determine the question as to membership in the tribe of a person of Cherokee blood who claims as a matter of fact that he has never abandoned member ship in tho tribe, and has not thereby lost his right to share in tho lands and money of the Tribes. And it would seem that in the ap propriation by congress of 875,000 ol Uherokee money to pay the col orod people claiming to havo tho rights of Cherokees, and which had been denied by the Cherokees, the government took a different view of this question, and that congrets has the right to decido who ware entitled to tho rights of members of tho Cherokee nation. Tbeso aro questions tho solution of which by congress may vex and disappoint you if you shall fall to adjust these matters by agreement with this commission. It must bo apparent lo all that thoro aro numerous questions which can be moro equitably and satisfactorily arranged by agree merit with the several Tribes than by uny general law enacted by congress. When it shall be determined with this commission that allot .nnt cI.aII tin m.fl. fl.ftn Ufntilr, come the question whether a part shall bo allotted and the residue ceded to the United States lo bo disposod of for your benefit, or whether all tho land shall bo Hi. vidnd. Whilo it is tho opinion of this commission that it would bo best for tho Oboctaws and Chioka- saws to tako by allotment lands sufficient for a good home, and cede that remaining to tho United States to bo sold for their honofit, this commission would not insist on this if after full and careful con sideration and discussion tho own ers prelorred to divide and retain all their land. As to tho other tribos. thoy probably havo not a g later quantity than thoy would require lor ineir own use. As to town sites and leases of coal mines, this commission would only insist upon their salo or di vision in such manner as would bo just and cquitablo to all. Whore Improvements havo been made in towns it would seem that thero ought to bo an appraisement of improvements, and of tho lot on which they stand, and tho owner of tho improvements oithor paid for them, or allowed to purchase the ground on which thoy stand at its fair appraised value Thoso, however, aro matters of detail to bo settled in a spirit of equity and justice to all. ibis commission earnestly in vites tho members of tho five civil ized tribes to consider and decide at an early day whether thoy do siro to divide their lands by agree ment or to postpone all action for tho consideration of congress. In conclusion wo beg to say that we beliovo upon a correct decision of this question depend many rights and advantages which you hold very dear. Henhy l. Dawks, Meredith II Kidd, Archibald S- McKkxnon, Commissioners. PROM THE 03AQB COUNTRY. A Not at All Satisfactory Condi tion of Affairs. Pawhoska, O T.,Jan 29, '01. Editor Chieftain: I am sorry to say that since the beginning of the present fiscal year a sad, sad chango has taken place niriong our friends and neighbors, tho Oiages. The agency has changed hands twice already and tho U. S. com missoner has been removed at this placo. Consequently the poor In dians who aro being arrested daily on charges of introducing whiskey are dragged to Stillwater, a dis tance of 75 miles, to bo examined before the commissioner at that place. During the recent storm quite a number wore badly frozen whilo being conveyed as prisoners, beforo reaching their destination, some losing their leet and hands and ono dying Trotn tho effects of the cold, the manner In which all of this is brought about i." a disgraco to civilization and should be branded as such by all honest people. A mob of U. S. deputy marshals connected with the Strip sottlers along the line induce the Indians to cross the lino and once ainong them they treat tho Indian with apparent kindness and on his return homo hois loaded with firo-water. But ho no sooner reaches his homo than ho is over taken by his supposed friends who but a short time before had Wished him a happy journey and who by this timo are changed from peace able citizens to a stern set ol U. S marshals who proceed at once to search the person of their vietim. Finding the vile slufl concealed on his person he is arrested and then commences tho long journey to Stillwater, there to be incarcerated in jail, not to await the coming of justice but to uwait the coming of money enough to satisfy all parties concerned. In view of tho abovo facts many of tho Indians who re fused to talk to tho commissioners on allotment last year aro now be ginning to regret it. Oklahoma is tho boogabooin the eye of theso people. Their only hopo and wish is to become con solidated witli tho five civilized tribes. The many hardships that are being inflicted upon tho allot ting Indians of Oklahoma are too plain in the eyes of tho Osage peo ple. No taxes wero to bo lovied upon those Indians of Oklahoma, but now it seems that everything is taxablo but the land, and it may bo well for our people, the Chero kees as well as the other civilized tribes, to look forward to an early dissolution of our tribal organiza tions. 1 understand the Dawes commission is hero clothed with unlimited power from the U. S. government to treat with us. Why not have an Indian state and keep cut of tho clutches of Oklahoma? I know it would cause a feeling of deep regret on tho part ol many of us to do away . with our ancient laws and customs but 1 have cause to believe the time is at hand when a change in our national affairs is just as essential as it has been in private allairs. Wo must remem ber that when our good old grand fathers kindled our council fire and framed our present constitu tion wo wero largely a pastoral people. As u whole people our wants were but few and simple. The country around us was a howl ing wilderness and barren plain from the great Mississippi to the golden coast of tho Pacific, and consequently the scarcity of land was unthought of. Now should our grandsires bo allowed to visit us, groat would be their surprise from a pastoral to a Btrlctly agri cultural peoplo. And now the question arises, what one thing is tho most essential to a (arming people? Our iacililieu are fine, as to tho cultivating of tho laud. The click of tho twine binder and tho whistlo of tho steam thresher can be heard throughout the length and breadth of the land. Wc mpy bo favorably compared to our neighbors of the adjoining states, in the matter of farming, except In ono thing and that is tho most vi tal part of a farmer's fortune tho land title, Holding and farming land without an individual title la no good and a farmer without land may bo compared to fish without water. As I said before, many of ui are loth to do away with our ancient Jaws and customs but they Z5 Wear Shoes? If so, W. R. BADGETT has a line that you should inspect. He docs not deal in anything: but Solid,. LongWe&ring , Goods.; They wear and fit well, and if you try a pair they are sure to please you. BADGETT has a few odd pairs of -BOOTS Which he is selling very cheap. He also carries the largest line of SCHOOL SHOES In the city. If you are interested in anything- like footwear, call on II BADGETT. . And Get the Best for Your Money. QOCElIES! That we are in the midst of hard times and a general stagnation in all the leading lines of usiness is very generally admitted. I have re cently purchasecl a New and Complete stock of Groceries in a depressed business market which I propose to let my customers have the benefit of. My stock embraces everything that may be found in a first-class grocery establishment and at prices that will SATISFY THE MOST EXACTING! We are headquarters for Fine Teas, Coffees and Sugars At Various Prices. Canned Goods of All Kinds. Sun Dried and Evaporated Apples And Peaches. Rice, Hominy, Beans, Etc. Bucket Syrups and Jellies. Condensed Preserves, Provisions. Call and see what the purchasing power of a dojlar will do for you. CEO. BLAKENEY. McClellan block, east Side R. R. track, Vinita. may well bo compared to a good boat. When first built sho was beautiful and good; we loved her; sho answered all of our purposes; sho proudly rodo the mighty waves; sho bravoly carried us safe ly over tho depths and shoals of timo. But now sho is in her dotage; her days of usefulness aro rapidly drawing to a closo; in the near future wo will bo compelled to step ashore and leavo her to her fate, but wo can lovo and respect her, and consolo ourselves by be lieving that har loss will be our eternal gain. Yours, It L. M. DR. GUMS xxnorxa LIVER PILLS MILD PHYSIC ONE PILL FOR A DOSE. ftKOMWlt of fe bewtU Mofc 44 U mow try fto .mH. TbMIittMlrwhtmrj'fUlMWto Jy um1m ta QoaiplMiM bt Ua m (rfrtuiu A W. KoriMin, drofilit ED. OI-IOTJT3SA.TJ, VINITA, IND. TEH., HoufelarM til Imm or BROOMS! Attit mIU Ihrm it Cllr frlui tad lt4. thi ofrln( 6I mtrebiNl t latltf ef rrtlcbl, MVN. ntfMNlM fur pttt do. To cos Patronize Home Industry, THE VINPTA Y 111" I ARE NOW OPEN. Ginger Ale, Champagne Cider, Soda Water of All Kinds, Carbonated Seltzer Water (Por Table Ui,) Hot Soda and Chocolate Vary Popular Braakfast Drink, Sherry & Blackberry Wine, Non-Aloohollo. All Goods Mado From Strictly Pure Sugar And Fruit Juices I 300 DOZEN QUARTS A DAYI Tab f Suroitfly T MkM Worts mil i STE3XE3 IS ENCOURAGING! Now Is tho timo lo INSURE YOUR PROPERTY. Go to T. T. RATCLIFF, Office at Skinner & Ratcllffs Vinita, Ind. Ter. ' T. . THOMPSON, Keeps a buiiBM a 1 Feed and Produce Exchange, All Kinds ofcountry Produce. BSJSlsoid CALL AT THE NEW ROCK STORE. waemsmmKsmm BUY Wyf) TOVES COOKING. : HEATING. ' WOOD OR COAL Until you have examined styles and prices of W. W. MILLER, The Vinita Hardware Man. Largest Line of Ij-T VISITS. BSitnKMIHKMMWMII Vinita, Indian Territory. A completo stock of Builders' Material, . Cement, Lime, Lath, Doors, Windows, Mouldings, Mixed Paints, Wall Paper, Etc. Yellow Pine Finishing Lumber Cypress Shingles a Specialty PRICES PDRNI8HBD ON APPLICATION. Terms: CASH. "y J, TROTT cKiib' &.c3Wk Go ((0KMC0) LIVE STOCK C0MMISSIGH MERCHANTS KANSAS CITY STOCK YARDS CwGnMEhTS sorcrrEB. uuh. Grsux. BEHOVED! The WOOD INK, CiSSELL tit JAITES, WM. E. WINTER. tot Aiosir.sixtkst. st. louis, mo. The Vinita Dipsomania Cure Co. AT VINITA, I.T., li bow la optrttlon ind thom desiring lo Uke luivuifwiiiunu inn inuiimiun uuen inorr tdrtDttfM tbtn tnjr other now Ineilitenee. TIIK LIQUOR, XOIiriUNE & Ot'IUM lUblUwIllbe trrited under written gutr tale to e ore or no per The chtrga lor either wlllbtODlj ITJr-TY UOI.LAUS. THE T0J1ACCO IIA1IIT Wllttliobe tretted. Thin treitmem ! tnlil bj the bottle, at TIU1EK DOI.I.AU1 t bottle ' ton rotr oe eeni uj eiiirtie to tnjr noinl. We clilm to here t cure that will ileelror all de aire for tobacco In from ten dara (o three weeka. THE AMI-FAT OK OlIESITY Treatment la goaranteed td reduce anr fat peraon from 0 to 20 tionada Per week. It can be taken at home br mad, woman or child with perfect eifetr, improving the health with ererr pound lost. The charge for thla will bo KIOIIT DOLLARS per month, and mar be lent br mall or eiprets to anr point. Write or eall on oa for particular!. All let. tera addreaaed to tb Dipsomania Cure Co., on to J. ROSS TROTT, I'lijilelaa Irt I'targe, Will tit treated In eonfldenct Ind promptly Inawered, oct IS Gof n Mill and Wood Yard. J. T. IRACKETT, PrspV. Corn MmI, Gratam Flour and all ik f Chop F4, and" Cut Fk Wh OROCRS SOLICITED, IbTE-WvS r rr NO FURNITURE A. E. J1M.Z. WM. LITTLE, vi.,i r...i t.. V llll It., .iiu c n ' I,..-.!. u ir. lirandon hip or awe. Crop If It, crop and no tier balf crop right. croea F7 Illnimnn White Oak. 5 SI J. KORUTOHFIELD, Inola, 1. T. uiaeranar yigon right aide Irt ear grubbed i nnderbll In , right HangelOmtlreionth I oruiaremore 0Y1S10U M M W MW Iee 1301 IBr r 5 Tin "Sv. flfffr aower Una no SSs!k ffy aocondcliuura. If sSNeV ' you would utflrit euo- wS. cccd, bo euround atari with WO FERRY'S li occr.e llll llltW P'T'a "l Annuel for JSSI coiituliu tho aum nd aiibUiicM Wo tho Intent farming know.M YXodifo. i:verjr planter aliould W mv Imro It. Hent free. M BSsSs. D. M, Ferry t Co., yyM BgSv Detroit, fW THE LIVE STOCK MARKET i OF8T. LOUIS. THE ST. LOUIS NATIONAL Located ai Eul Si Louis, HI. IMrectlr npnoalll Ilia city of St. l'-onll Bar rj for all deaorlptlon of Lira (Koer alwaia la attendance, tod within lha ground of the (Hock Tarda la a lleef Canning Company, "'V a eepaeltr fur alanghterlpg 1 (Mbotd or cattle dally, ind 1'ork Packing KatablUhaaante hare t capacity for elaugbttrlni ll.ew hoe dally. IIAAO H. KNOX, f r. OHAI, TenlONBlj I Ujet. SI1KYM 11 .