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KILLED AN INDIAN DESPERADO
Forty Masked Men Shot Johnson Miller Who murdered Three Men
March 1, 1901—Checotah Enquirer —Holdenville, I. T.—Feb. 28—Johnson Miller , full blood Creek Indian, was shot to death by masked men today. Miller was under arrest for the murder of Herbert McDade , December 22. He was arrested early yesterday morning near Wetumka by Deputy Marshal Haase and brought here pending a hearing before the United States commissioner. At an early hour last night the officer, fearing trouble, secretly conveyed his prisoner out of town two or three miles and a lodged him at the farmhouse of Robert Stewart . A little after midnight about forty armed and masked man forced an entrance into the house, this armed the guards, and began shooting at the prisoners at short range.
Miller escaped from the House by jumping through a screen door and fled across the yard. He ran 300 yards before he was stopped by the bullets flying after him. Seventy-five or more shots were fired. The kitchen where he was confined has a fourteen bullet holes through the walls and furniture. Twelve bullets hit Miller. Miller at committed three murders within six months besides numerous robberies. Three weeks ago he murdered an old man named Cherry . Last September he murdered Joe Harwood. Young McDade he shot and then built a fire
around the body. The body laid in the woods undiscovered by friends for seven days. was twice sentenced to be shot by the Greek Government, but he was pardoned by the chief L. C. Perryman.
April 5, 1901—Checotah Enquirer —Washington, April 3—Governor Johnston , of the Chickasaw Nation, conferred with the commissioner of Indian affairs this morning relative to the enforcement of the intercourse law—a matter that has been the occasion of the much dissatisfaction an annoyance to the Indians. The governor sought the good offices of the commission to secure an order from the Secretary of the Interior, Mr. Hitchcock, granting permission for the resident Indian agent in the reservation to issue orders evicting the intruders who fail to pay the tribal taxes. The Governor says that the Indians have felt bitterly the failure of the whites in the reservation to pay the taxes, which the Indians levied upon them for the privileges they enjoy. Efforts to collect these taxes have proved futile, as the white men do not fear or respect the Indian authorities. The only recourse they have is to secure orders for eviction. These have in the past been issued only at the order of the Secretary of the Interior. While the Secretary has been ever ready and willing to assist the tribal authorities in the collection of the taxes, it has been impossible for him to investigate and act upon the cases presented to him as rapidly as the authorities would wish. If the authority is granted the resident agent to order the intruders off the reservation when they fail to pay the taxes, the governor and declares matters would be greatly simplified.
Secretary Hitchcock Planning For The Oklahoma Opening
April 5, 1901— Checotah Enquirer —Washington, April 1—Three million acres and government land probably will be distributed among Homestead seekers by a lottery, in spite of the fact that the government has declared all lotteries illegal and will not allow correspondents regarding a lottery or other enterprise involving an element of chance to pass through the mails. Preparations are now making in the Interior Department to open the Kiowa Indian Reservation to settlement. After the lions to be allotted to the Indians in severalty and other common grazing tracks to be retained by the tribes have been subtracted from the reservation, about 3 million acres will be left to be thrown open to settlement. This is now being divided by government surveyors in two tracts of 160 acres, making 18,750 homesteads.
When an Indian reservation has been opened up to settlement here to four there has been a grand rush for the land. Prospective settlers, who have only been kept back from the land by United States troops, have lined the border for days and weeks. At the given signal everyone made a rush—on foot, in wagons and on horseback—and that choice lands have gone to the men having the fastest horses, and to those having the most guns and the determination to use them. Then it would come a long period of litigation, during which the lawyers would be the only prosperous citizens in the new settlement, in which often resulted in a man who had been unfortunate enough for plucky enough to get a good tract and hold it being ousted by the court or having to pay the full value of his land and lawyers fees.
The problem Secretary Hitchcock is now considering is how to avoid this trouble in opening the Kiowa reservation. He is considering giving each tract a number and then having these numbers drawn from a wheel by a blindfolded boy, just as lottery numbers are drawn or as names are drawn from a jury wheel. It has been urged that this would be a lottery and the Secretary hesitated to adopt it definitely, though some of the officials of the department have argued that it would not be such a lottery as is prohibited under the law, but would be similar to the drawing of names for a jury.
Comanche and Kiowa Are To Take Allotments and Become Self-supporting
April 19, 1901-- Checotah Enquirer —The Kiowa and Comanche Indians are now holding their last annual beef issue. Several hundred are at Fort Sill and Anadarko in attendance. The ceremonies attending the issue will last perhaps two or three weeks.
As these Indians are soon to take their allotments and become United States citizens under treaties, they have no more right to ask and receive rations. The government well, therefore, do away with a large expense, for the feeding of the Indians of this country has become a very large item of expense. But one by one the Indians are taking their lands in severalty and learning more and more how to manage their own affairs, thus making themselves independent as to getting food.
At the present time there are 47,000 Indians in the United States depending upon the daily issue of rations for their living. At times, especially in the winter, this number will reach 60,000. There are today about 270,000 Indians in the United States, one fourth being dependent on the generosity of the white people for their daily bread.
It is not because the Indian is not rich that he is fed, for the United States Treasury today there is $35 million belonging to the Indians and it draws 3 or 4 percent interest. Last year every Indian in the United States received a certain sum of money in annuity payments.
All together 1,500,000 was paid to them, some tribes receiving as much as $250.00 per capita, while others about only $50.00. These rations are issued to them every fortnight. The rations consist of beans, beef, sugar, coffee and flour. Every man, woman and child gets the same amount.
In former days the beach was issued to them alive and they were allowed to kill it, but now only a few tribes are allowed this right.
At the big beef issue now in progress on the Kiowa and Comanche reservation this method is in vogue. There are 3000 members of this tribe who have been drawing rations.
BORDER OUTLAW CAPTURED
Jim Rogers , Who Last Of The Notorious Gang, At Last In Custody
May 3, 1901-- Checotah Enquirer —Jim Rogers , the last of the notorious Rogers Brothers , who have been terrors along the borders for the past ten years, was brought in to Vinita Sunday and is carefully guarded in the Federal prison.
The prisoner is a muscular fellow, a typical outlaw, though only 22 years of age. When only fourteen years old he emulated the daring of his brothers, and entered the store of Henry Hayden, at Hayden post office, and lined the proprietor, at the muzzle of a Winchester, with nine Negroes who were in the place at the time. He made them all deposit their valuables in a pile, which he placed in a bag, and mounting a horse, got away, since then he has been an outlaw, but as far as is known took no part in the train and bank robberies which his brother’s gang are accused of. Bob Rogers, noted bank and train robber and horse thief, was killed in a running fight with deputy marshals four years ago.
Sam Rogers, another brother, was shot through the thighs by Deputy Marshal Heck Brunner , and is now his father’s home a helpless cripple. He was not prosecuted up on his promise to be good.
Jim, the young men now under arrest, was captured in Southern Kansas last fall, but escaped in January from jail and Independence, Montgomery County, after killing the jailer. Since then he has stolen 21 horses from farmers in the vicinity of Ruby, forged and passed a number of checks, in these charges together with fourteen counts of selling liquor, each of the latter being a felony, are what he will have to face in court next month. It is certain that he will be sentenced to a long term in the penitentiary.
John C. Nelson , A. Buton , Jim Mayes and Ples Childers captured Rogers after he had openly asserted that he would not be taken alive. The men belong to the Anti Horse Thief Association. There was a reward of $250.00 offered for Rogers. The men caught him napping on a sofa at Jack Taman’s ranch near where the Shawnee Indians are holding their annual spent dance. He was heavily armed, but they broke down the doors and had him covered with their Winchesters before he could reach his pistols.
IDENTITY OF A SKELETON
June 14, 1901-- Checotah Enquirer —The human skeleton found near Barron, I. T., a short time ago was reported to have been the skeleton of Captain G. S. Stewart , who commanded a company in the ninth Texas and volunteers during the civil war, but such is not the fact. Captain G. S. Stewart was killed 21 mi. north of where the town of Bristow now stands in the Northwest part of the Creek nation. This is over 100 mi. from where the skeleton was found. Stewart was buried on the spot where he fell, north of the Cimarron river, General Cooper , with a force of Texas, Choctaw and Creek troops, was in pursuit of a band of Creek Indians. A truce had been agreed upon that evening. The Creeks had agreed to return to their homes and accept protection. General Cooper ’s troops were of Confederate Army. By some misunderstanding of orders the advance Guard of the Confederate forces, not knowing of the truce, proceeded to attack of the encampment of the creeks just after dark. In the excitement of the engagement that Texas and Choctaw troops dashed forward and opened up a general fight in the Camp of Opptheola’s Creeks. It was then that Captain Stuart fell. General Pleasant Porter , Chief of the Creek nation was in the fight
CATTLEMEN ACCOMMODATED
July 12, 1901-- Checotah Enquirer —In response to the appeal of the commission merchants of Kansas City and St. Louis, who have large sums of money loaned on cattle now being pastured in the Kiowa and at Wichita reservations in Oklahoma, Secretary Hitchcock is preparing to afford the cattlemen having herds in the two Indian countries at least temporary relief.
The 200,000-acre pasture located on the banks of Red River is to be turned over temporarily to the cattlemen for grazing purposes until their stock is ready for market. The shipments to Kansas City and Chicago have already commenced, and with a large number of cattle shipped to market the next few weeks, the secretary is of the opinion that the pasture on Red River will be sufficient to provide for the cattle remaining on the two reservations after August 6.
Under quarantine laws these herds cannot be shipped North to Kansas, Missouri or any other state before the middle of September. This practically precludes the pasturing of any cattle in Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska or Missouri, and compels the stockmen to throw them upon the market. It was this condition of affairs that caused the secretary to extend to the cattlemen the use of the past year on the Red River until their cattle are in shape for shipment to market.
DEPUTY DOBSON IN TROUBLE
Oversteps His Authority and a Warrant charging Him With Intent to Kill is Issued
August 26, 1901-- Checotah Enquirer —Last Friday evening as the banquet two Chief Porter was in progress a great noise, caused by the screams of women and persons of men, and drew a crowd of our citizens to the home J. H. Neal in the southern part of the city where a tragedy was narrowly averted.
Deputy Dobson was hired by the city July 4 and 5 to help keep the peace but it seems he filled his hide was something and proceeded to use his gun rather too freely. The night of the fourth he beat several people over the head at the grounds and the night of the fifth he came to town and preceded to terrorize the inhabitants, finally landing at the home of Mr. Neal, where he imagined Ed Tatum who is boarding there, had done him wrong, and proceeded into the house, followed by Will Vann , his deputy. As soon as he caught sight of Tatum he yelled, “there is the s—of a b--, kill him,” and he drew his gun. Being in to close quarters he was unable to shoot and clubbed his pistol, hitting Tatum several blows over the head until Tatum clenched him. Seeing Dobson was getting the worst of the deal, Will Vann clubbed his Winchester and hit Tatum a desperate blow across the back, rendering him unconscious. In the meantime the wife and daughter of Mr. Neal were attracted to the scene by the loud noise, and thinking murder was being done stepped between Dobson and his victim. Crazed with booze and blood, Dobson drew his pistol on the young ladies and threatened to shoot them, besides kicking Mrs. Neal in the side several times. By this time a crowd had collected, and fearing a lynching, Dobson and Vann got in their buggy left post haste for Muskogee. A warrant was immediately issued, charging them with an attempt to kill, and marshals Farr, and Moore were set in pursuit of the outlaws. Farr returned Sunday with Vann, and Moore, having Dobson in charge, stayed over a day in this goal be to allow him to testify a case before the commissioner. During Sunday night Dobson made his escape from the officers and at this writing is still scouting. Vann is still under arrest in this city awaiting trial. Dobson has of late taken great pleasure in using his gun on inoffensive people in this city whom he has taken a dislike too, and if captured will be severely dealt with, as the excitement here over his fiendish deed is high.
ASK A PARDON FOR DALTON
Application For the Release of The Coffeyville Bandit
October 18, 1901-- Checotah Enquirer —O. G. Eckstein of Wichita was in Topeka Kansas, the first of the week to review before Governor Stanley the application of Emmett Dalton for a pardon, or parole. Dalton is in the penitentiary under a life sentence for participation in the murder of four citizens of Coffeyville, Montgomery County, incident to a raid on the banks of that town October 5, 1892. There were five men in the raid Robert Dalton, Grattan Dalton and Emmett Dalton and Richard Broadwell and William Powers . They planned the raid is some days before in Oklahoma and descended upon the town about 10 o’clock in the morning. Robert and Emmett Dalton went to the first National Bank, where they forced the cashier to give over $23,000.00 in cash, which they put in a bag and then rode away.
The rest of the gang went to the other bank, where the cashier suspecting their purpose, told them the time lock would not open for seven minutes. They waited, and while waiting the people were alarmed and soon the battle was on. Robert and Emmett rode back to help their fellow bandits, but they were too late, and they turned and fled. A bullet from a Winchester struck Robert in the back of the head, and he fell from his horse and died almost immediately. Emmett got off his horse to aid his brother, when he, too, was shot and so badly wounded that he was captured. Meanwhile the citizens had killed the other three bandits, but not until four of the pursuers had been killed.
Emmett, after some weeks, recovered and was placed on trial. It was agreed with the county attorney that he should plead guilty to robbery, but the judge of the court would not hear to it. Next it was arranged between the lawyers that the plea would be guilty to murder in the second degree, Dalton to receive a sentence of 20 years. But the judge was not consulted, and when Dalton made the plea the judge gave him the limit of the law, a life sentence. The judge was J. D. McCue, now a resident of Kansas City. In the course of time and application was made for a pardon, but the people of Coffeyville protested so vigorously that it was not passed. Now it is renewed, and the Governor will set a time for a hearing.
Eckstein is employed by the convict’s mother, who lives near Kingfisher, Oklahoma, and is 73 years old. Eckstein has favorable letters from three former wardens of the penitentiary and also from citizens of independence, the county seat of McHenry County. Judge McCue so far has refused to sign the petition. Dalton is now 28 years old.
Dalton is now at work in the Kansas Penitentiary tailor shop again. He was the clerk at a cell house for about a year, but was recently changed to his own place in the tailoring department. Dalton is said to be the best cutter around the penitentiary, and he works on the suits supplied the prison officials. He talks much about getting a pardon. His conduct in prison has always been good
PASSING OF FORT GIBSON
Historic Army Post, Once the Home of Many Noted Men, to Be Wiped Out
December 20, 1901-- Checotah Enquirer --The Cherokee National Council has passed a bill providing for the sale of the old Fort Gibson military reservation, which reverted to the Cherokees on final abandonment by the government in 1890.
The old fort, which marked from the frontier line, when built in 1824, is romantically connected with the lives of the man who made the history of the Southwest.
It was while Zachary Taylor was in command of the post that Jefferson Davis , then a lieutenant of dragoons, wooed and won Taylor’s daughter there. From this old stockade the first to regular troops marched out later to the conquest of Mexico. After resigning the governorship of Tennessee Sam Houston made the old Fort his home until he moved to Texas, where he made the republic of which he was the first and last president.
From Fort Gibson Washington Irving started on the expedition that was to give the world of those master word pictures contained in his “Tours of the Prairies.”
Nearly all the officers of note in the regular service have served at Gibson. Both Phil Sheridan and W. T. Sherman made it their headquarters during the Kiowa Comanche wars. Henry M. Stanley , before he won fame in South Africa, taught a school outside the reservation. The children of the soldiers stationed at the post attended it. Many men whose lines were devoted to opening up the Great Southwest found a haven from the marauding bands of Comanche for their families within the stout walls of the old log Block House.
The reservation, on which nearly all of the old buildings still stand, includes about 300 acres. This land, on approval of the bill by the president, will be cut up into town blocks and sold, and so old Fort Gibson will pass into history.
INDIANS ON THE WAR PATH
December 27, 1901-- Checotah Enquirer —It is reported from Guthrie that the Pawnee Indians are on the warpath. An immense Buffalo Bull was so injured in transferring from the Santa Fe stockyards to Pawnee Bill’s Ranch, South of Guthrie, that he had to be killed. Major Lillie gave the meat to the Indians for a Buffalo dance.
The Indians have been dancing and pow-wowing ever since. They claim the vast herds of Buffalo are coming back to this country, and many of the Indians have notified the white lessees to vacate their ranches at once, as they wish to lay the fence is low, so the Buffalo will have full sway of the country. The white people in the remote parts of the reservation are going into the town of Pawnee, and report the Indians are acting in a threatening manner towards them.
Pawnee Bill has placed mounted guards around his Buffalo ranch, as the Indians are camping in the timber West of their and in sight of the herd, and from their suspicious actions he thinks they intended to liberate the herd and perhaps kill them. The Indian agent at that point has been notified.
A REVOLTING CRIME
Man Murdered, Skinned and Hung On a Wire Fence
January 3, 1902-- Checotah Enquirer —The following horrible crime is related by the Claremore Messenger of last Saturday: Wiley Littlehead and Willie Littlehead , full blood Euchee Indians and brothers, are awaiting a hearing before Commissioner Jennings on the charge of murder committed at Mounds Christmas. The reported details of the crime make it the most atrocious ever committed by anybody but a cannibal. That too Lilttleheads, together with a number of others of the tribe that were in joining a drunken carouse, when for no cause as yet apparent, the Littlehead boys decided that one Candy Squire should be killed. They immediately started to execute the thought and with clubs beat their victim to death by inches. Afterlife was extinct the two fiends, so it is stated, absolutely skinned him as they would a deer and hung the body on a wire fence.
Other members of the tribe captured the murderers and took them to Mounds, where they were given into the custody of Deputy Fought of Sapulpa, who took them to Claremore Saturday evening.
FIELD DEPUTIES APPOINTED
January 17, 1902-- Checotah Enquirer —United States marshal Leo O. Bennett has completed his roster of field deputies and announced the following appointments:
David Adams , Muskogee, reappointment; John L. Brown , Webber Falls, location changed for a Vian; Frank Cochran , Okmulgee, location changed from Henryetta; George R. Davis , Arbeka, reappointment; R. D. Faught , Sapulpa, reappointment; Grant Johnson , Eufaula, reappointment; W. Frank Jones , Checotah, reappointment; Henry C. Kaase , Holdenville, reappointment; John W. Matthews , Choska, reappointment; John S. O’Brien , Wagoner, reappointment; Caesar Payne , Wewoka, new appointment; Bass Reeves , Muskogee, reappointment; J. C. C. Rogers, Sallisaw, reappointment; Wm. E. Shipley , Nowata, reappointment; Hiram A. Thompson , Tulsa, new appointment; Paden Tolbert , Vinita, reappointment; A. J. Trail Claremore, reappointment; Gideon S. White , Vinita, new appointment. Caesar Payne succeeds Jacob Harrison at Wewoka, Hiram A. Thompson succeeds L. E. Hogan at Tulsa, and Gideon S. White succeeds David M. Webb at Vinita
CONCERNING MARSHAL FEES
Indian Territory Marshal Fee Bill Introduced
February 21, 1902-- Checotah Enquirer —The Senate has passed the bill introduced by Senator Hoar fixing the fees of United States marshals in Indian Territory and for other purposes. The bill as it passed the Senate is as follows:
That in felony cases before the United States commissioners for preliminary examination, and in all cases in the district courts, arising under the laws of the United States or under the statutes of Arkansas, are made applicable to the Indian territory, section 829 the revised statutes of the United States shall be applicable to the service rendered by United States marshals and their respective deputies in said territory, notwithstanding the decision of the Comptroller of the Treasury, in regards to United States Marshal Hammer, dated October 12, 1900, and all deductions and this allowance is made by the accounting officers under the said decision shall be allowed, except so far as the marshals have been reimbursed for amounts of such deductions and this allowances; but before any item of such deductions or disallowances shall be allowed, proof satisfactory to the auditor of the state and other departments shall be made that the amount of such item has not been reimbursed to the marshals.
That all witnesses in felony cases before the United States commissioners and all witnesses in civil and criminal cases in the district courts of said territory, shall be entitled to the fees provided in Section 848 of the revised statutes of the United States, except that clerks and other officers of the United States shall be entitled to the compensation provided in Section 850 of the revised statutes of the United States.
That all acts and parts of acts in conflict with this act are here by repealed.
THAT INDIAN “UPRISING”
The Snake Band of Indians Are Hungry, But Not Warlike
February 28, 1902-- Checotah Enquirer —It is believed that newspaper correspondents have unduly magnified the “uprising” of the Snake band of Creek Indians, and that the intentions of the creeks are anything except warlike. Alexander Posey, a well-known Creek citizen and editor of the Eufaula Journal, in speaking of the “uprising,” says:
“For a week or ten days two or 300 Creek Indians of the Crazy Snake faction have been in camp at Hickory Ground. Last Wednesday about fifty Cherokees joined them. These people are too numerous for councilors and too few for war. They are as far from meaning harm as the corps of government clerks at Muskogee.
“These poor people are in an pitiful condition. They live principally on ‘sofkey,’ but last year they raised too little or no corn, so now they have little or no ‘sofkey’ to eat. They are the most ignorant among the Indians and like the most ignorant among the white people; they believe the party in power makes good or bad crops pleasure. As a consequence they deplore the Porter Administration in the Creek nation.
“These poor people were assembled at Hickory Ground to ‘do something.’ Some of them want to sell their land and buy a new Creek nation in Mexico or South America. Others, the most numerous, are trying to reorganize the ancient Greek Government here and expel the white people by reviving an old law under the operation of which no Indian may rent or lease land to a white man or employee white and laborer.
“An attempt was made last winter to carry this law into effect. Armed ‘light horsemen’ of the Snake government rolled over the country in bands warning Indian landlords to dismiss their white tenants and threatening punishment if not heeded. Punishment by whipping was inflicted in a few instances.
“The alarmed landlords appealed to “Uncle Sam for aid. Deputy Marshals, soldiers and Indian police were sent and they arrested the new Snake government, which never dreamed of wrongdoing, and put the officials in jail on a charge of ‘disturbing the public serenity.’ As the courts of the United States never recognized the Snake government, the habeas corpus case did not cooperate so as to release the men. Snake and his folks lived in jail until they promised to be good. Then they were discharged on parole after pleading guilty to something or other.”
ACREAGE FOR CATTLEMEN
February 28, 1902-- Checotah Enquirer —The department of the interior has directed the supervisor of the forest reserves in the Kiowa and Comanche country to lease the land for grazing for a term not exceeding twelve months and to limit each franchise to 1000 acres. There are 57,000 acres in the reserve and this action on the part of the Interior Department will be a relief to the big stockman who are now crowded out of their old grazing lands by the homesteaders who are fencing and improving their claims. In a few more years big herds of cattle will be a thing of the past and Oklahoma.
IN JAIL AT MUSKOGEE
February 28, 1902-- Checotah Enquirer —Twelve more of the Crazy Snake band was taken from Eufaula Monday evening, including Crazy Snake, and placed in the jail at Muskogee. They were captured Sunday by Deputy Grant Johnson and posse near the old Hickory Ground West Eufaula. Deputy Johnson not only captured the twelve men Sunday, but he got hold of a considerable correspondence, the most important of which is a compact entered into between representatives of the five tribes, were in a bind themselves to continue to agitate the people until a government is established under the provisions of 1832.
One of the worst characters arrested in the last squad is Gilbert Johnson . He is a Seminole, and he has been doing considerable mischief. He is a Presbyterian preacher, and has a great deal of influence with the full bloods. All of the balance who were armed and all carried Winchesters except Johnson . He had a six shooter strapped to him when Deputy Johnson arrested him.
Nothing has been heard from the gang who broke into the hardware store at Keokuk Falls, it is not known at the marshal’s office whether any of them have yet been captured.
There is now forty-one of the Snake band in custody. Lattah Micco is still at liberty, but the deputies will get him in a few days. When he is captured it is probable that the whole bunch will be tried or conspiracy.
February 28, 1902-- Checotah Enquirer —A fight occurred last Friday between Oklahoma officers and the band of outlaws that killed Sheriff’s Smith and Beck at Anadarko a month ago. As a result one of the outlaws, Walter Swofford, is dead, and Deputy Sheriff Jones is seriously wounded. The snow enabled a posse to trail the outlaws to an isolated house south of Wewoka. As the policy approach the outlaws, three in number came from the house and opened fire on the officers. The fire was returned and for several minutes the battle waged. Deputy Jones was shot by Swofford, who had opened the fight. When Jones fell the officers turned their attention to Swofford, and he was pierced by several bullets and killed instantly. After the battle had continued several minutes longer the other two outlaws, Sam Casey and Bill Watson , surrendered. Watson is said to be a fugitive from Kentucky on a murder charge. Offers of $9000.00 reward for the capture of the three men were outstanding.
Chitto Harjo and Ten of His Band Given Two Years In the Penitentiary
February 28, 1902-- Checotah Enquirer —When last February, Chitto Harjo and his gang were sentenced to the pen for two years by Judge John R. Thomas, they promised if the sentence was suspended to go home and be good. How well they kept that promise everybody knows. They forgot to be good along at a time and the result was that they were again taken into custody for cussedness.
Yesterday Chitto Harjo , alias “Crazy Snake ,” alias “Wilson Jones","Gilbert Johnson a Seminole; Choska James X ; Abaram McIntosh ; Lewis Mitchell; Lewis Harjo, alias “Leis Yardeka,” Squirrel alias “Clo Harjo; John Timothy ; George Simons ; Little Tiger , alias “Cotchochee,” were brought up standing before Judge Raymond . Marshall Bennett made a statement and recommended that they be given the sentence. Colonel Soper sustained the recommendation and Judge Raymond ordered that they be taken to Fort Leavenworth, where they would serve for the remainder of the sentence.
Beginning with the date of this sentence nearly one year ago, and taking off the allowance for good behavior, the gang that will be taken to the ten will have about one year to serve. The balance of the Snakes recently captured will be given a trial, after the Wagner grand jury, which meets next week, gets through with them.
10,000 CHEROKEES UNACCOUNTED FOR
March 28, 1902-- Checotah Enquirer —For some time that Cherokee attorneys have been at work striking from the rolls of the various districts preparatory to final enrollment for allotment of the investigation has develop the following interesting figures:
Persons unaccounted for only 1880 and 1896 rules in the several districts:
1880 1896
Cooweescoowee……………507 310
Delaware……………………480 682
Saline……………………….426 676
Goingsnake…………………619 747
Tahlequah………………..….931 1033
Illinois……………………....591 779
Canadian…………………....290 227
Sequoyah………………..….386 218
Flint………………………...570 813
Orphans……………………..229
Total………………………..5129 5452
MAKING THE FIRST INDIAN TREATY
An Old Story That Columbus Did It With Four Kegs of Whiskey
March 28, 1902-- Checotah Enquirer —Had it not been for Christopher Columbus and his four ten-gallon kegs of whiskey this United States would belong to the American Indians. This is a whole mouthful to say, that Indian tradition tells us when Columbus was unable to get communication with the Indian he one night had a life boat landed on the beach with four kegs of whiskey with three or four dozen a tin cups handily placed around the kegs and had the heads knocked out, in which shape Mr. Indian found things on the beach. He approached the kegs with caution, looked into the well-filled kegs of whiskey with a great deal of pride. In fact he had all his pride with him. He stuck the end of his finger into the kegs and tasted each and saw that it was good not only to look upon, but was fair to the Indian taste. He and others went from keg to keg tasting with the tips of their fingers until they were all feeling as the fellow said, “salubrious.” Just there is where he lost his pride and each of them got a tin cup and drank with the white man’s cup the white man’s whiskey.
The next morning found several of the bucks in the gutter, as it were, not able to stagger away, then Columbus knew he had the ropes on Mr. Indian, so he landed another yawl or life boat, and proceeded to scoop Mr. Indian and dump him into his life boat previous to carrying him to his ships, which he did on short notice. After getting him or them aboard it was no trouble to swap land, his friendship, his birthright or anything else that came handy for whiskey. Since which time the Indian has had a weakness for strong drink.
If the Indian could, in making treaties with the United States, have the United States make a law to hang every white man who sells whiskey two Indians, and to hang the Indian for drinking whiskey, it would settle the Indian problem, which problem has cost the United States no little trouble.
In case the Cherokees make another agreement we should suggest that this little hanging clause be added to the next agreement, and all will be calm and serene in the Cherokee nation and we will try and have Congress do likewise unto us. Charles Gibson in Wagoner Record
ONE KILLED AND THREE TO DIE
The Result of a Fight by Indian Territory Cattlemen
April 25, 1902 Checotah Enquirer —In fight between cattlemen West of Collinsville Saturday William Phillips was killed and William Mayfield , Jess Skidmore and “Lige” Johnson were dangerously wounded.
All of the participants are cattlemen whose pastures are near Oolagah. The fight was a result of a few days between Skidmore and Mayfield, which had its origin in a court contest over some grazing lands.
Saturday afternoon all the men were in Collinsville and the fact that they were heavily armed showed that they were expecting trouble.
Late in the day Skidmore, accompanied by Johnson , left the town to return to Oolagah and that Mayfield and Philips awaiting them by the roadside. Without any preliminary words Mayfield raised his shotgun and sent a heavy charge of buckshot into Skidmore. As the wounded man a fell from the saddle he turned his gun on Philips, who had also raised his gun to fire at him, and shot the latter, killing him. Mayfield, as Skidmore fell from his horse, turned his gun on Johnson and both men fired simultaneously.
The charge from Johnson's gun struck Mayfield in the shoulder and Johnson received a wound in the side. Although wounded, both men fired again. Shops again took effect.
Fearing trouble between the men friends followed them from Collinsville and arrived on the scene in time to prevent the wounded men from finishing their fight.
Although the wounded man will die they were attempting to recharge their guns to continue the fight. They were disarmed. The wounded men and the body of Philips were taken into Collinsville and medical aid summoned. The physicians pronounced the wound of Skidmore necessarily fatal, and little hope was given for the recovery of the other man. All of them have a following of partisans and further trouble is anticipated. The presence of armed men in attendance on the wounded has led the authorities to take precautions to prevent a clash.
STARR EXPLAINS TREATY
Some Pertinent Points Settled by an Able Cherokee
August 1, 1902-- Checotah Enquirer —In speaking of the “110 acres” flaws in the Cherokee agreement, C. Starr, in the Vinita Leader says:
“The intention of this, the most important of all sections of the treaty, is to give each Cherokee Citizen is full, fair and equal share of the divided land of the Cherokee nation. No treaty could be made that would name the exact number of acres each citizen should have and be fair. This one says that each citizen will get land equal in value 110 acres of allotable land. This indicates that 110 acres of average allotable land is one share. If a citizen has lands at better than the average, he gets less and that he has land not as good as the average, he gets more.
“Now, let’s see what we get if the treaty is voted down. First, we will take our allotments under the Curtis Act. Each man will be given a fair and equal share. The same as the treaty. I see no difference in the amount of land we are to get. Under the Curtis Bill we get a surface title and when we die the land reverts to the nation and cannot be descend to our heirs. Under the one (the Curtis act) we get the use of the surface, and under the other (the treaty) we get a deed to our land and it becomes ours in fact.”
“Mr. Starr pleads his communication as follows:
“Mr. Cherokee, did you ever think about our condition today? The government of the United States will permit us to be sued and it refuses to allow us to appropriate $1.00 of our own money to defend ourselves. Our funds are used without. We are not permitted to send a delegate to Washington to represent us before the departments and committees of Congress. We are not allowed to use one set of our own money without the consent of the president of the United States.
We are not permitted to pass an act or resolution that will be of any force or effect without the consent of the United States. We might recall that the claims of people on account of the smallpox in the Cherokee nation were paid without our consent. Council passed an act for the relief of the destitute full blood citizens and the president would be towed it, and the money was paid out by the Secretary of the Interior without our consent. If they can do all this they can do anything else they want to, and the longer we wait the worse it gets, and I, for one, think that right now is the best time to ratify this treaty and get out from under the rule of the Secretary of the Interior.”
CRAZY SNAKE’S VIEWS
The Old Indian is Against the Administration or Allotting His Lands
November 25, 1904-- Checotah Enquirer —Chitto Harjo leader of the Snake band of Indians and generally referred to as “Crazy Snake has given out a statement that is interesting from a political viewpoint.
“Crazy Snake ” recently had a long talk with Alex Posey (Fus Fixico) in which he stated that he and his band would oppose any kind of statehood, except that which would as nearly as possible preserve the entity of the territory of the five civilized tribes. He knew nothing about Democrats and Republicans, but stated that he and all his tribesmen are opposed to any party that has forced the allotment of their lands in severalty, which, of course means the present administration.
AN INDIAN’S VIEW
From a Speech Made By an Educated Indian
February 17, 1905—Checotah Enquirer—From some unknown source comes the following report of an address delivered up by an educated Indiana, whose former name was “Crick-in-the-back.”
“My friends, I do not propose to excite hostilities by advancing the proposition that we are on the threshold of life. I leave that to the pale faced graduate of a more athletic curriculum. I come home from a town of 300 souls and eighteen real estate dealers. On my return my kinsmen will stroll out of the tepee to greet their brother and asked him where he got that hat, while the dusky daughter of Bay-Horse-with-the-Glanders will don her pink waist.
“All that the red man is today he owes to the pale face. We have been benevolently assimilated that our measly government agents could round up and herd a whole Indian Reservation. The pale face lobster gives us a bottle of whiskey with a string tied to it, and the string it reaches to the Federal Court room, where we lie around for a couple of weeks while the witnesses are cashing in their pay vouchers. Then we walk home in a snowstorm.
“The sun of the red man is sitting in the west. Said he we’ll be assimilated by the copper trusts and he will be extinct. You may put him in a bicycle suit and tan shoes but he will continue to yearn for planked muskrat and Jamaica ginger. His days are numbered. For a few year’s he may pow wow with a smooth government commissioner that he is fading away and you can see his finish. I have spoken.”
WANTS HIS FREEDOM
Geronimo Appeals to President to “have Rope Taken From Hands”
March 24, 1905—Checotah Enquirer—Crestfallen thoroughly subdued, Geronimo has returned to his home in the Fort Sill reservation. Against the wishes of the Indian Commissioner, Geronimo was taken to Washington to take part in the inaugural parade. The committee insisted that he was needed as an attraction for the inaugural parade and the commissioner consented.
Upon his arrival commissioner Leupp informed Geronimo that he had been permitted to come to Washington as a reward for having behaved himself as a prisoner of war. A more docile Indian than Geronimo was never in a parade. Geronimo appeared at the White House before he left Washington and made an appeal for freedom to the Great Father.
“ I want the rope taken off my hands,” said the old medicine man to the president, “that I may go in freedom to my home. We are tired of living is so far away.”
Geronimo could only have a few minutes with the president. He asked for permission to come back in two months and talk the matter over what the president and Commissioner of Indian affairs. He was informed that he could make his appeal in writing. Geronimo has been spoiled by the attentions of the curious public and it is not probable that he will again be permitted to leave the reservation.
TO AMUSE THE PRESIDENT
Party Captures Wolf to Be Used In Chase for the President
March 24, 1905-- Checotah Enquirer—The famous black wolf has baffled all efforts at capture, has probably been chased more miles in the last three years than any other wolf in this country, was taken alive by J. R. Abernathy an party, after a chase lasting eight hours in which fifteen dogs and some of the fastest horses in Comanche County were used. Mr. Abernathy is to lead the Wolf chase, which is to be given for the entertainment of President Roosevelt on his southern trip. The wolf caught is the speediest one Mr. Abernathy ever undertook to capture, and he was very anxious to secure him for the coming chase.
THERE IS SOME SENSE TO THIS
April 21, 1905—Checotah Enquirer—Joe Miller, the head manager of the 101 Ranch, in the northwestern portion of Oklahoma, during the past week ordered 110,000 trees for the ranch, and all of these will be set out this spring. Of this number 12,000 are apple trees, and it is Mr. Miller’s intention to set up 12,000 apple trees annually for five years, or a total 60,000 apple trees.
SNAKES
Are Becoming Active Around Bristow Says Mr. Alex Posey
July 21 1905—Checotah Enquirer—Irvin Bonovan, Alex Posey, alias Fus Visico, and Stenographer D. C. Skaggs have returned to the commission from a successful trip to Bristow and Sapulpa where they were obtaining testimony and looking up Euchee enrollment cases. Mr. Posey has been in the field for two months and has visited Eufaula, Dustin, Sapulpa, Henryetta and Bristow.
The Creek bard reports that day Euchees are preparing for a big “busk” south of Bristow and also that the Snakes are becoming very active and have held two large meetings recently. At the last meeting, which was held somewhere near Bristow, all the Snakes were advised not to lease or sell their allotments. The advice was based upon the communication which had been received from their attorney at Washington, which advised them that he had prepared a bill providing for the restitution of the old Snake laws and customs. “The bill was referred to the proper committee at the last session of Congress and will be taken at the next session and passed, “read the letter.
The Snakes are raising little cotton patches on the co-operative plan and the money obtained from the sale will be used in carrying out their fight against the government.
“There are ten or fifteen men hard at work on these co-operative patches of cotton in every Snake settlement, “ said Mr. Posey when questioned by the Democratic man.
MARSHALL’S REPORT
Shows Over 8k000 Prisoners Have Been in Jail in Muskogee During Eight Years.
October 27, 1905—Checotah Enquirer—United States Marshal Leo Bennett is compiling a report, which probably covers a longer time than any ever compiled in the Indian Territory.
His report includes all the business of his office for the past eight years, since he has been Marshall. In the report are some interesting figures. Since October 16, 1897 8,241 prisoners have been imprisoned in the United States jail here. The number of prisoners confined each year follows:
1897 09
1898 04
1899 37
1900 35
1901 99
1902 29
1903 030
1904 367
1905 (to Oct. 1) 1003
According to these figures the number of prisoners imprisoned in recent years have increased. It is the opinion of the Marshall that there has been no increase in crime, but the number four prisoners have increased in proportion to the population.
The prisoners have been disposed as follows;
Sent to the penitentiary at Fort Leavenworth, 1141; to Atlanta, Georgia, 53; to Columbus, Ohio, 190; to Jefferson City, Missouri, 42; to the reform school for boys, Booneville, Missouri, 140; United States in jail at Fort Smith, 450; reform school at Washington, B. C., 27; two various insane asylum, 20; served jail sentences in the school the jail, 1003; hanged in the jail yard, five; died in the jail, 88; 2291 gave bond; 116 sent to other courts arrested as fugitives from Justice, 2340 were discharged and there are at present 232 prisoners on hand. The crimes of larceny and introducing like predominate.
INDIAN HUMOR
March 2, 1906—Checotah Enterprise—a good story is told on John R. Thomas of Muskogee, a well-known lawyer of that city, who was formerly judge of the Western District. One night Thomas found himself in a shabby little town with no hotel. Desiring to stay all night, he asked a lounger in front of a grocery store where he might find accommodations. The lounger in front of a grocery store, which was run by an Indian. When informed that there was a man outside who wanted a place to spend the night, they had been asked:
Who is the fellow?
Judge Thomas was the reply.
Well, if that’s the fellow he better pay me what he owes me before asking me for any favors.
How is that? quired the longer. Is he in debt to you?
Yes, replied the Indian. When he was judge at Muskogee I was brought before him for selling liquor. I was convicted and incentives and me he said I will give you 60 days in jail and $100.00. I got the 60 days all right but he never came across with $100.00.
WYCLIFFE OUTLAWS AGAIN IN TROUBLE
Kill One United States Officer and Seriously Wound Another
After the Fight They Escape
Three Brothers, Full Blood Indians, at Head of Unknown Number of Outlaws
March 16, 1906--Checotah Enterprise—Kansas, I. T., March 11—The Wycliffe gang of Indian outlaws are on the warpath again.
A marshals policy composed of Ike Gilstrap who was leading, Otis Tittle, Dick Terry, Andy Dick, Thau Woffard, Henry Holderman and Bob Thompson, rode up to the headquarters of Wycliffe’s Sunday morning. Five men, one of them a white man, ran out and the positive pursuit. The bandits turned and commenced shooting.
Bob Thompson, one of the posse, to a reporter said:
“Among the first shots exchanged, while Gilstrap was ejecting a shell, he dropped at my feet, mortally wounded, shot through the forehead. His head struck the toe of my boot.
“Just a moment before Gilstrap had dismounted from his horse he shouted to us to ‘come on boys, we will build all up together.’ When he fell he called out, ‘Oh, Bob! Oh, Andy, Oh, Mother!’ and died.
“By this time the Wallace had been joined by six more, who came suddenly from out of the brush. I shot at the white man and I saw a stream of blood trickled down his shirtfront, he stumbled and fell but regained his feet and ran into the thicket.
“The white man was a tall man, wore dark clothes and had only large white, white brand Stetson hat, which was pushed well back on his head.
“The white man shot by posseman Bob Thompson is thought to be been Ben Cravens, the noted outlaw who has terrorized the Indian country for many years.
“After the smoke of battle had cleared away, we found Tittle and Terry at the home of Lewis Budds, a crippled Cherokee Indian. Terry was suffering from a bullet wound, which had pierced his body.
“We dispatcheD Budds to Spavinaw for assistance and he returned with Dr. Hollingsworth. Terry will recover and in the meantime he is being cared for at the hall of the friendly Indian.
“When the bullets commenced to sing Dick Terry ran and was shot in the back. Tittle followed Terry and left Holderman, Andy Dick, Thau Woffard and myself. We started to crawl away up to the head of the hall of death. Two holes in the meantime shot in my coat, but we still continued up a hollow until we reached an advantageous point to make a stand, but the gang did not follow us.
“After Gilstrap was killed the gang returned and stole his watch, about $30.00 in money, his six shooter, built and cartridges and shot into his body several times.”
The outlaws have escaped and no word has been heard of them up to date.
Marshal Darrough has issued orders to run every deputy Marshal in the Northern District of Indian Territory to the scene and an addition has wired the Department of Justice at Washington asking authority to offer a thousand dollar reward for each of the outlaws, either dead or alive. He has gone to Kansas, I. T., and will personally direct the operations against Dallas. Charlie, John, and Tom Wycliffe, sons of a former Justice of the Cherokee Supreme Court head the outlaws.
The three Wycliffe boys began their career of outlawry five years ago. They were concerned and a stabbing affray at an Indian dance. They are professional horse thieves and have given the authorities and much trouble.
The Wycliffes are fullbloods, and would not come to the Dawes commission and select an allotment so their land that was allotted to them arbitrarily about a commission.