Partisan Politics in the Choctaw Nation, 1890-1904 - Pittsburg County, Oklahoma

Submitted by:  William A. Hunt  <wahunt@hughes.net>   05 Nov 2006
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Partisan Politics in the Choctaw Nation: 1890-1904

South McAlester (now McAlester) served as headquarters for enforcement of
United States law in the Central District of Indian Territory, as well as
for many tribal offices and activities of the Choctaw Nation.  The
majority of information presented here was published in the South
McAlester Weekly Capital.  I hope you enjoy the read.

Political affairs of the Choctaw Nation of Indian Territory were very
partisan and often precipitated open conflicts.  Although political
elections and governmental processes were based on democratic principles,
there were occasions when partisan actions were less than civil.  Because
the carrying of Winchester rifles, handguns, and knives was common among
the men, these weapons often came into play as threats or in actual use as
conflicts arose.

The following narrative, in the form of recorded interviews and newspaper
articles, is intended to portray some of the "less than civil" occasions,
beginning in 1890 with the administration of Principal Chief Wilson N.
Jones.

1890

(Source: http://choctawnation.com/History/)

"Wilson N. Jones was principal chief of the Choctaw Nation in Indian
Territory from 1890 until 1894.  During his administration three schools
were established for the educating of children of citizens of the Choctaw
Nation: a boarding school for boys was established near Hartshorne and was
named Jones Academy; a school for girls was founded near the Choctaw
capital and was called Tushka Homma Academy; and a school for Freedmen was
established and given the name of Tuscaloosa Institute.  The two older
schools were Armstrong Academy and Wheelock Seminary.

During his administration he also authorized the formation of companies
of militia to effect the arrest of the Non-Progressives, or Snake Indians,
who had banded together for the purpose of killing the leading men in the
Progressive Party."

A dramatic incident of that nature was recalled in a 1937 interview about
Crawford J. Anderson, who was a target along with Gilbert W. Dukes, both
of whom resided in Talihina. That incident, as related in the interview,
is as follows:

(Source: Indian Pioneer Interviews, # 12100.306, November 15, 1937,
Canezaro)

"The situation in the vicinity of Talihina and on down to Antlers was very
tense. A large number of the Non-Progressives had congregated at the home
of Dick Locke at Antlers, all armed to the teeth, and were openly defying
the Tribal authorities.

Mr. Anderson was a member of one of the companies of militia, serving
under Captain Gilbert W. Thompson. The militia had camped at a small
village called Davenport, a point about three miles distant from the home
of Dick Locke and had proceeded on to Antlers on the following morning.

Upon approaching the home of Dick Locke, the militia men were fired upon
from all parts of the interior of the house from the windows, doors and
from every other opening through which a gun could be projected. The
militia then opened fire. This exchange of bullets was continued for some
time and then a truce was called and a conference between Captain Thompson
and Dick Locke was held.

It was agreed in this conference that the conspirators would submit to
arrest without further resistance. The entire band was then placed under
arrest and sent to Paris, Texas, under escort to be placed in the Federal
jail at that place.

In spite of all the shooting which had taken place before the truce was
called, no one had been seriously injured but the house which sheltered
the conspirators was practically demolished.

Upon the submission of the offending parties to arrest, Captain Thompson
directed most of the militia men to return to their homes. Some of these
men who were not fortunate enough to have funds with which to pay train
fare, were required to walk, some of them as far as fifty or sixty miles.

Mr. Anderson, however, together with some four other comrades was
provided with the necessary funds and arrived at their homes in Talihina
late on the same evening. Here they found a large assemblage of people
awaiting the arrival of the train, all eager to learn of the result of the
battle of which they had heard vague rumors during the day.

Many of this group were sympathetic with those who had been taken to
jail. This caused a well founded fear that reprisals against the
militiamen who had just returned would follow. Mr. Anderson and his
companion militiamen quickly made their way through the crowd and then
separated to go to their respective homes which were at varying distances
and directions from the railroad station.

Such was the fear of Mr. Anderson of being ambushed on his way home in
the darkness which had by that time appeared that he avoided walking the
well- beaten road and kept at a distance of from one to two hundred yards
from it.

Upon his arrival at his home he informed his much alarmed wife of his
fears for his personal safety which he felt were justified and after
eating his evening meal he made his way to a secluded spot to spend the
remainder of the night. In this manner he very probably cheated his would-
be assassins out of an opportunity to carry out their murderous designs.

This already tense situation was made the more so when it was learned
that the conspirators who had submitted to arrest and had been taken to
the Federal jail at Paris, Texas, had been liberated on the day following
their arrest and were again free to renew their offenses against the
peaceable process of the Tribal authorities. They immediately resumed
holding secret meetings in which they laid their plans to assassinate the
leading man in the Progressive Party.

A young white boy, whom the Indians thought did not understand the
Choctaw language and therefore it was of no consequence if he did hear
them, overheard and understood the conversation had by a band of the
conspirators, in which it was planned to kill several of the leading
progressives, Mr. Anderson and Gilbert W. Dukes being among the number to
be killed.

Upon fully satisfying himself of the correctness of what he had
understood the conspirators intended to do, this boy very indifferently
mounted his pony and rode off in the direction of his home which,
incidentally, was in the opposite direction to that of the homes of
Anderson and Dukes. This act on the part of the boy was designed to dispel
any suspicion which the conspirators might have felt that he had
understood their conversation and would notify the proposed victims.

After reaching a point where he was out of sight of the Snakeheads, as
they were sometimes called, this boy put spurs to his pony and by a
circuitous route quickly arrived at the home of Governor Dukes and made
known to him the plans which he had overhead.

Upon being apprised of those plans of the Snakes through the bravery and
sagacity of that young boy, Governor Dukes immediately notified the
remaining named proposed victims and they all met at the home of Governor
Dukes and maintained a guard throughout the night, expecting each minute
to hear the approach of their would-be assassins.

The night passed without incident but a survey of the ground not far
distant from the home on the following morning revealed tracks freshly
made which told in unmistakable language that the boy's warning had been
timely, well-founded and the means of foiling the purposes of the
conspirators and perhaps of saving the lives of the proposed victims.

Presumably the stealthy Snakes, aided by the darkness of the night, had
made a reconnoiter of the premises and thereby found their would-be
victims greater in number and much better entrenched than they had
expected to find them. An attack in accordance with their prearranged
plans was seemingly not warranted.

It is a well-known fact that a Territory-wide slaughter of the leading
Progressives in all parts of the Choctaw Nation was to take place on that
same night. Fortunately, however, with the exception of the killing of
five leaders in what was then Gaines County, the plans of the conspirators
were frustrated.

On another occasion a group of the Snake Indians had congregated in an
isolated place and after they had held their pow-wow, all spread their
blankets upon the ground and prepared to spend the night in sleep. One man
had been designated to stand guard near the sleeping conspirators.

The now watchful Progressives in some way learned of this bivouac,
advanced upon it, found the irresponsible guard soundly slumbering,
quietly seized him and then noiselessly advanced upon the main body of the
group, whom they found lying close to each other all wrapped in their
blankets.

The Progressives, being equal if not superior in numbers, surrounded them
before they awoke and then each Progressive, with gun cocked and ready for
instant firing, commanded the renegade Indian lying closest to him to
arise and surrender.

In this manner the arrest of a considerable number of those who had
proven themselves to be menaces to the lives of those with whom they did
not agree upon Tribal matters was effected without the loss of life.

Such wholesale arrests occurring at about the same time aided materially
in quelling the uprisings and finally brought peace and tranquillity back
into the lives of those who for months had lived in constant fear for the
safety of themselves and for the safety of their families due to the
sneaking way in which the renegades carried their vindictiveness into
effect.

In that group arrested, it is interesting to note the personal experience
of Mr. Anderson. The particular Indian, lying closest to him at the time
the signal for the awakening of the sleeping Indians was given, was
commanded by Mr. Anderson to arise and throw up his hands.

He arose from a prone to a sitting posture and then put down his right
hand as though in an attempt to seize a gun. At that instant Mr. Anderson
commanded him to drop that gun or he would fire. This latter command had
the effect of causing the Indian to again reach for the sky with his hands
and elicited the information that as he was a cripple and not for a gun as
Mr. Anderson had thought.

The instantaneous response to the second command of Mr. Anderson is all
that stood between the still sleepy Indian and instant death for Mr.
Anderson was not at that time in a mood to unnecessarily put himself up as
a target for the gun of a renegade Snake Indian.

Following the group arrest the Non-Progressives in the vicinity of the
meeting place would cause a gradual departure of the Snakes from the
meeting place for their several homes.

There was an element of justice in the cause of the Non-Progressives. The
only fault to be found is in the method adopted in the promotion of that
cause. They had been warned by the opponents of conformity with the terms
of the Dancing Rabbit Creek Treaty in their far off Mississippi that it
was useless to give up their lands upon which rested the remains of their
ancestors; that if they moved to the new Indian Territory they would again
soon be asked to give it over to the white man.

So, it is not in the least surprising that they felt a spirit of
rebellion arising within their bosoms when they realized that the warnings
given to their fathers in Mississippi by the Non-Conformists were well
founded and that the promises which were made as inducements to remove to
the new Indian Territory were in process of being abrogated.

1895

Hartshorne Sun April 19, 1895.

No Sound of War   Mr. V. M. Locke of Choctaw Nation Tells of the Wild
Reports Sent Out Lately.   [05 Nov 2006line] Dallas, Texas, April 15.

Messrs. Victor M. Locke, Sr., and J. S. Adams of Antlers, I.T., are in
the city [Dallas].  Mr. Adams is superintendent of the [Jones] academy at
Hartshorne, and Mr. Locke is the head of one of the political divisions in
the Choctaw Nation knows as the national party.

The Associated Press bulletins of trouble in the Choctaw Nation were
shown to Mr. Locke last night.

He said:  "There is no political trouble up there [Choctaw Nation].  We
had some trouble a year or so ago between the [Principal Chief Wilson N.]
Jones [Progressive Party] and the [Jacob B.] Jackson [National Party]
factions and there was considerable shooting, but it all have been
smoothed over now and no trace of the bitterness appears.  We have buried
the hatchet and are at peace.  All this talk of war arose over five
killings which took place last week on Mountain Fork, about 75 miles from
where I live and within two and a half miles of the residence of Gov.
[Principal Chief Jefferson] Gardiner [Progressive Party].  Four weeks ago
three Indian brothers named Toneaker were tried for murder and condemned
to be shot.  In accordance with the custom of the tribe they were released
on their word of honor that they would return within one month and be
executed. They concluded that they had a few scores to settle and started
out to square accounts with their enemies before the day of execution
arrived. One of the Toneakers had a row with an Indian named Sicky and
Sicky was killed.  Several days after the Toneakers had a pitched battle
with the three Cooper boys and a man named Forbis.  The three Toneakers,
one of the Cooper boys, a youth aged only 13, and Forbis were killed
outright.  One of the mules in a wagon was killed and one of the remaining
Cooper boys injured.
"All sorts of sensational reports regarding the tragedy were sent out.  It
was said the Toneakers were opposed to me and I had been present at the
killing, when as a matter of fact I was at Antlers all of the time and
knew nothing whatever about it till the news was brought in by a courier.
I have had some experience in that line and I know that you can't keep up
with a story like that.

I left home Monday.  When I left everything was as quiet and peaceful as
it is in Dallas today.  I am going back in the morning and I do not expect
to find any trouble when I get back there.  There is no difference of
sufficient importance to fight about.  We have a political campaign in
progress and an ex-treasurer of the Choctaw nation who was impeached for
embezzlement and tried in the courts did write a letter trying to stir up
trouble, but so strong are the bonds of harmony that nobody paid any
attention to it and it was not considered good enough to make us reply.

The statement in the papers that nearly every man in the Choctaw nation
is under arms is true.  I have been living up there nearly thirty years
and I have yet to see the time when the statement would not be literally
true.  We all carry Winchesters and six-shooters up there and we know how
to use them.  We have them for self-protection and once or twice they have
come in handy and were worth their weight in gold.

There has been no contest over the executive office so far as I know and
the talk about Gov. Gardiner and very few people want his office.  He has
the support of all the Choctaws so far as I know and is making a good
governor.  There has not even been any large amount of complaint against
him.

I came to Dallas to buy a stock of goods for my store,' and here Mr.
Locke exhibited a receipted bill for the goods.  'You don't see any
Winchesters or pistols on there, do you?  I am not buying any and the
reports that I came to Dalles to buy arms and ammunition for my following
are manufactured.  We do not need any guns in that country.  I also came
to see some girls in the Oak Cliff college.  I am their guardian and I
want to see how they were getting along.  It is purely a personal business
trip and has nothing whatever to do with Choctaw affairs.  I am going home
in the morning and if there is any trouble I will tell you about it."

During his political career, Gilbert Wesley Dukes served as sheriff of
Wade County, and later he served as a member of the General Council, Judge
of the Supreme Court, and as a Circuit Judge of the second district.  He
became National Auditor in 1895 and served in that capacity for a period
of two years.

1900

In 1900, as a candi05 Nov 2006 of the Tushka Homma Party, and backed by the
powerful McCurtain faction, Gilbert Dukes was elected Principal Chief of
the Choctaw Nation and served one term.  In the next election, Dukes was
backing Thomas W.  Hunter to succeed him as Principal Chief.  In backing
Hunter, Dukes was in direct opposition to Green McCurtain, who was also a
candi05 Nov 2006 for the office.

1902

In 1902 an election process, including all counties in the Choctaw Nation,
was held to elect a new Principal Chief.  The colorful happenings of that
1902 election included an armed standoff at the council house in
Tuskahoma.  That standoff involved the Choctaw political factions, with
their Light Horsemen; the Indian Agent; the Indian police; the United
States Marshal for the Central District and numerous deputies; as well as
a U.S. Army detachment sent in from Ft. Reno.

The stance taken by the U.S. Marshal at these events was in direct
conflict with that of the Indian Agent. Some years later the Indian Agent
testified to congress about the events, which resulted in removal from
office of the marshal and many of his deputies (including this writer's
father, Deputy John A. Hunt of Hartshorne, who, however, was later
restored to his post).

These events are related in the following newspaper articles:

South McAlester Weekly Capital August 14, 1902.  From Saturday's Daily:

"McCurtain's Majority 163.   All Counties Heard From Some Hunter Galas
Reported From the Interior Counties Which Reduce McCurtain's Majority.

Hon. Green McCurtain has again been elected principal chief of the
Choctaws.  The last of the returns has been received together with some
changes in the vote recorded yesterday.  The vote of San Bois county was
erroneously reported, and the official count reduced McCurtain's majority
in that county from 242 to 161.  Wolf and Eagle counties which were
missing yesterday came in with small majorities for Hunter.

The corrected report is as follows: [... county names include the
following: Blue, Atoka, Tobuckey, Gains, Sugar Loaf, Sans Bois,
Skullyville, Wade, Jackson, Jacksfork, Kiamichi, Eagle, Cedar, Red River,
Wolf, Boktuclo, Towson ...] Totals McCurtain, 815; Hunter, 652.  McCurtain
majority, 163."

South McAlester Weekly Capital August 21, 1902.

McCurtain's Own Figures.

Capital Special.  Sans Bois, I. T., Aug. 16.   "Gov. Green McCurtain has
tabulated the returns from the recent election and announces that his
majority will be 254, if not more. [...]"

South McAlester Weekly Capital August 21, 1902.

Dukes Seizes Anderson's Poll Books.

Sends Light Horsemen to Judge Wesley Anderson and Forces Him Out of
Office   Silas Cole Has Ballot Boxes.    Capital Special.  Tuskahoma,
August 14.   "Gov. Gilbert W. Dukes has all the politicians guessing.  He
turned a trick yesterday that has caused consternation in the ranks of the
McCurtain contingent.

Yesterday under orders from the governor several light horsemen went to
the home of Judge Wesley Anderson, supreme judge of the third district,
and by force took the third district poll books taking them to the
executive office where they were closely guarded and later turned over to
Silas Cole.

It will be remembered that a few days before the Choctaw election, Gov.
Dukes served notice on Judge Anderson to appear before him the day before
the Choctaw election, and give reasons why he should not be removed for
incompetency.  Supreme Judge Garland came to the rescue by issuing an
injunction, restraining the Choctaw governor from interfering with the
judges or any other persons connected with the canvass of the votes.  The
Anderson removal was apparently dropped as Dukes made no further
demonstration until yesterday.

At the time of the entry of the light horsemen on the scene yesterday,
Judge Anderson was canvassing the vote of the county officials, not
including the returns on the national offices.  McCurtain men openly claim
that Dukes is trying to confuse the result so that the election will be
declared void and he will be allowed to remain in office.  It is feared
that the books of each district will be similarly removed from the custody
of the supreme judges and if such is attempted there will be trouble.  The
wires all over the nation are being kept hot by the McCurtain men.

There is a possibility of calling the Interior department in to take
charge of the entire election returns and allow them to make and return an
official count.  Dukes claims that he received an intimation that Julius
Hampton of Blue county and A. R. Durant of Kiamichi county, were to be
present when the vote for the district and county offices were counted and
enter protests against certain precincts that would materially change the
result of the county and district returns.  If was reported that Judge
Vincent, of Atoka county, was to be counted out and Henry Wade, the
defeated candi05 Nov 2006 for the senate, counted in.  Tom Griggs, senator elect
of Kiamichi county, was to be replaced by Joe Everidge, also defeated.
Martin Charleston, of Atoka, who was elected over William Harrison for the
senate, was also to lose out.

Dukes claims to have received this information so straight that he
thought Judge Anderson's existence in office was dangerous.  He sent his
light horsemen to remove Andeerson and upon refusal sent them back in
company with Silas Cole, who was appointed temporary supreme judge to
replace Anderson.  The armed officials took the books by force and turned
them over to Cole, who is today canvassing the returns.

Judge Anderson left at once for Sans Bois where he is in conference with
Green McCurtain, governor elect."

South McAlester Weekly Capital August 21, 1902.

Speaking of the action of Gov. Dukes in seizing the poll books of the
third district, Attorney J. A. Hale last night told of the strenuous
administration of the present choctaw governor in regard to the removal of
officers in his nation.  For some reason Dukes desired the removal of Jeff
Ward, county judge, of Skullyville county, a year or so ago, and served
notice on Mr. Ward to vacate, denying him a hearing.  Mr. Ward refused to
comply, and soon after several of Dukes light horsemen appeared nd took
Ward off to jail at Sans Bois.  The clerk of the court was also
imprisoned.  Mr. Hale was retained to represent Ward and sought an
injunction, but Judge Clayton was absent from his district.  Ward laid in
jail about two weeks before the injunction could be had."

Source: Chronicles of Oklahoma, Vol. 17, No. 2., "A Story of Choctaw
Chiefs", Hudson, pp. 210, 211, 1939.

[...] In October 1902 Green McCurtain again took office as Principal
Chief, serving until his death December 28, 1910. In the election of 1902,
Tom Hunter of Hugo, Oklahoma, was Green McCurtain's opponent.  In October
1902 before the votes were canvassed the United States Government had to
send soldiers to Tuskahoma to keep peace.  Gilbert W. Dukes was a friend
of Tom Hunter and the morning on which the votes were to be canvassed he
walked into the capitol with Tom Hunter and turned everything over to him
as his successor. Major Hackett, U. S. Marshal, who was a friend of
Gilbert W. Dukes and Tom Hunter, took possession of the capitol and
grounds, with Tom Hunter as chief, and proceeded to organize a council,
the followers of McCurtain being barred from the building.

Indian Agent Shoenfelt was on the ground and attempted to settle the
difficulty but it was impossible because the U. S. Marshal representing
the Judicial Department was in charge.  Therefore, Agent Shoenfelt sent a
message to the War Department at Washington for troops. The order went to
Fort Sill [Reno] for soldiers to go to Tuskahoma. Saturday about noon
which was the last day provided by Constitution to canvass the votes the
U. S. soldiers composed of 200 negroes with white officers, came in,
marched to the capitol, and after the commander consulted for one hour
with U. S. Marshal and U. S. Agent, he took charge of the building,
disarming all occupants of the building and instructing them to tend to
any business necessary.

The members of the two factions then entered into fist fights in which
the command took no side, while the votes were being canvassed.  It was
dark when the canvassing was completed and Green McCurtain was declared
elected Principal Chief of Choctaw Nation. Peter J. Hudson was an
interpreter for Green McCurtain's faction and witnessed and took part in
the trouble. [...]"

South McAlester Weekly Capital, October 16, 1902.

[This issue of the Capital contained several articles, each with its own
05 Nov 2006line.  All of the articles were on the same page with the following
headlines.]

"McCurtain Declared The Governor.

Graphic Description of the Choctaw Clash as Told by the Capital's Staff
Correspondent.

Major Starr Waived Marshal Hackett Aside and Told Him to Disarm the Men
Great Excitement Prevailed.

McCurtain refused to Compromise.  Capital Special.  Tuskahoma, I. T.,
Oct. 10.   "Notwithstanding the fact that Gov. Dukes recognized the
McCurtain senate as the legally organized senate, he on Wednesday morning,
through a light horseman, ordered James Bower, president of the senate, to
the executive office and instructed him to convene the senate and
cooperate with John M. Hodges as speaker of the lower house.  These
instructions were submitted to the senate in writing, and the senate
determined by a unanimous vote to ignore John M. Hodges as speaker, for
the reason that they had already recognized R. J. Ward as speaker.  Then
Gov. Dukes appointed five men as senators who are favorable to Hunter.

These men, acting as senators, at once cooperated with John M. Hodges as
speaker of the Hunter house and met in joint session Thursday afternoon
for the purpose of canvassing the vote for Principal Chief.  These bodies
then proceeded to count the vote for Principal Chief.  There are 51
precincts in the Choctaw nation; they counted only one, that being Atoka
in Atoka county, and the envelopes containing the vote of this precinct
being open when presented was, therefore, illegal.  Upon the result of the
count of this one precinct they declared Hunter elected Principal Chief.
He was then sworn in by Silas Cole, who assumed to be Supreme Judge of the
Third District by appointment from Gov. Dukes.

Immediately thereafter Hunter Sent United States Marshal Hackett to
McCurtain, inviting McCurtain to a conference with Hunter in Hackett's
tent.  Hackett's action and surrounding have been such that McCurtain's
friends considered it unsafe for McCurtain to accompany Hackett, and
McCurtain so informed him. McCurtain further informed Hackett that if
Hunter desired a conference with him he could come to the McCurtain hotel.
Hackett, appearing anxious for such a conference, at once brought Hunter
to the hotel, whereupon Hunter, conceding McCurtain in as the legally
elected governor, made overtures for division of the patronage.  McCurtain
promptly declined to entertain any proposition, Hunter then requested a
further conference on Friday morning, which request was promptly declined.

While Hackett, the United States Marshal, [?]to be here only to preserve
the peace, it is evident that his sympathies are with Hunter and Dukes and
that he is using his official position to further the interests of Hunter.
His sympathies are reflected in his actions, and his actions are so biased
that they are commented on by both citizens and non-citizens.

The official vote for Principal Chief has not yet been counted, because
the legally organized house and senate cannot peaceably enter the capitol
building, having been continuously refused admission by Duke's light
horsemen, supported by Hackett.  Troops are expected today.

W. A. Durant was this morning appointed national delegate and was
confirmed by the Hunter senate.  His is now on route to Washington.

Gov. Dukes message was read before a joint session of the Hunter
legislature this afternoon.

Tuskahoma, I. T., Oct. 10.   Special to the News Record

"Thomas W. Hunter is governor of the Choctaw Nation.

Green McCurtain is also governor of the Choctaw Nation.

Mr. Hunter was sworn in last evening following the canvass of the votes
by the council, the result showing a small majority against ex-Governor
McCurtain.

The Senate confirmed the appointment of Hon. W. A. Durant as delegate to
Washington, Governor Dukes having appointed him October 1.

The crisis in the affair was brought about yesterday afternoon by the
posting of the following notice:

"General council of the Choctaw Nation, October term, 1902: Therefore
notice  is hereby given that all persons holding certificates of election
who do not present same to the undersigned speaker by 2 o'clock, October
9, 1902, their respective counties will be reported to the principal chief
as being without representation, to be acted upon according to Section 11,
Page 20, Constitution of Choctaw Nation, Durant's code.

John M. Hodge, Representative Hall, October 9, 1902.

According to this notice to delinquent councillors, Governor Dukes
declared the seats of all absentees in both the senate and council vacant
and appointed others to the vacated seats.  The deposed members went to
the McCurtain hotel and selected men to fill vacancies caused by the
absence of the Hendly men and proceeded to organize both branches of
council, and the senate has two governors and two councils at noon today.

Everything is peaceful here.  Marshal Hackett's forces were reinforced
yesterday afternoon by fifteen deputies, and ten more arrived last night.

Ex-Governor Dukes was confined to his bed all yesterday after by fever."

Tuskahoma, Oct. 11.

The situation this morning remains the same as yesterday at the seats of
the two governments. The McCurtain legislature meets at the hotel every
day, and after prayer, adjourns for the day.  The Hunter government is in
possession of the capital building, and performs its  [... 2 inches of
copy unreadable]

"[...] count already made by his [Hunter's] legislature of just one
precinct, that being Atoka, in Atoka county, which gave him a majority of
164.

This being the last day, under Choctaw law, for settling governorship
matters, the question will be finally determined before 12 o'clock.
Everything is quiet, and no serious outbreak is expected.

Tuskahoma, I.T., Oct. 12.

The expected has happened. The predictions of your correspondent as to
the outcome of the struggle between the McCurtain and Hunter factions for
supremacy has been fully justified by events which crowded fast upon each
other yesterday afternoon.

At 2 o'clock two companies of soldiers from Ft. Reno, under command of
Major Starr, arrived at the station and marched hurriedly across the
country two miles westward to old Tuskahoma, the seat of government for
the Choctaw Nation.  Arrived at the council house the troops were lined up
outside the enclosure in front of the building.  Marshal Hackett's force
of deputies was on duty inside the enclosure, while inside the council
house Hunter's light horsemen were on guard.

When the soldiers arrived, the McCurtain legislature, accompanied by
their friends and constituents, numbering perhaps 200 persons, marched to
the capital grounds and awaited about at a safe distance; the result of a
parley being held by Indian Agent Shoenfelt, Major Starr, and Marshal
Hackett.  What was said in this conference is, of course, unknown except
to the three persons mentioned, but when Marshal Hackett was politely
waived away by Major Starr and a hurried command given to the soldiers to
load their guns it was evident a crisis had arrived and something would be
done.

At the head of his command, Major Starr entered the gate of the capitol
grounds and a detachment was place at each of the fours sides of the
building.  Addressing the crowd he announced that all armed persons must
retire to the outside of the enclosure, or place their weapons on the
outside.  This order he said applied to the United States officers, Indian
police, as well as all other persons.  The order was willingly and
immediately obeyed, except for the Marshal and his deputies, who retired
[... 2 inches of copy unreadable]

"[...] did not need help and sullenly descended the steps and passed out
of the grounds.  Inside the building the work of disarming the light
horsemen and members of the Hunter legislature lasted but a few minutes.
The arms "something" were quickly passed out of the building, but many of
the owners and wearers remained inside.  After the guns, pistols and
knives had been taken, Major Starr appeared on the steps of the capitol
and stated that the persons could enter the building provided he was
unarmed, and that all were permitted to come and go at pleasure.

Two sentries were placed on guard at the entrance to see that no one
entered bearing weapons of any description.  The first to enter the
building were members of the McCurtain legislature.  The senators  passed
to the senate chamber, where finding no obstructions, they at once
proceeded to business.

In the house the Hunter members were in session and when Speaker Ward of
the McCurtain side demand that Speaker Hodges of the Hunter faction vacate
the speaker's chair, Hodges refused to do so, whereupon he was forcibly
ejected, and Ward placed in the chair by his friends.  Hodges secured a
chair from the journalists table, and, placing it beside Ward, proceeded
to occupy it.  The struggle caused intense feeling, but no blows were
struck, and the excitement soon subsided.  The houses of both factions
were in session and both attempted to transact business by their
respective clerks calling the roll of its members.

The wrangle continued fully 30 minutes, when the Supreme Judge appeared
with the ballots of the last election, and a motion was carried to repair
to the Supreme Judge's chamber and count the vote for Principal Chief.
Two hours were consumed in the count, after which Governor-elect McCurtain
at his hotel was notified of his election.

Accompanied by a number of his friends Mr. McCurtain walked to the
council house, and in the presence of members of the house and senate in
joint session was informed by Speaker Ward that he had been elected
Principal Chief by a majority of 689, the vote in the nation standing
1,645 for McCurtain and 956 for Hunter.  Chief Justice Garland then arose
and administered the oath of office to the governor-elect, after which the
joint session dissolved, both houses adjourned on Monday morning, and
Governor McCurtain and his friends returned to their hotel.

When the McCurtain adherents left the council house the Hunter faction
was still there, and it is not known to your correspondent how long they
remained.

During the progress of the events recorded above the most intense
excitement prevailed, but at not time was there the least implication to
resort to violence on the grounds.

Indian Agent Shoenfelt has shown great patriotism, wisdom and [?] in the
trying ordeal through which he has passed, and he is being heartily
congratulated upon the manner in which he has handled the situation and
secured for both factions unrestricted entrances to their national council
chamber."

"Later.

Capital Special.

Tuskahoma, I.T., Oct. 13

"Gov. McCurtain's fight was short lived at the council house, arriving
there at sunrise, and when members of the legislature presented themselves
there with their certificates were admitted.  The Governor's message was
read at ten o'clock.  Ex-Governor Dukes asked Indian Agent Shoenfelt this
morning to recognize him as governor.  His request was refused.  Large
numbers of Hunter adherents assembled at the capitol at 9 o'clock, but
made no demonstration.  Two members of the Hunter house went over to the
McCurtain legislature."

Special Correspondence.

Tuskahoma, I.T., Oct 13

"The following is a list of national light horsemen, regular and special,
appointed by Gov. McCurtain today:

"Ed S. Bowman, captain, J. W. White, Elias Vance, Emerson Heston, Simon
Jacobs, Ben Harrison, Sam Stephens, Joe Wesley, James Frazier, Edmonson
Spring, Adam [?], Henry Willis, [... two column inches of unreadable names
followed by unreadable listings of some members/officers of the house].

In the senate were:

"James Bower of Skullyville, Peter Conser of Sugar Loaf, Jackson James of
Gaines and Tebuckay, Joel garland of San bois, Daniel Webster of Red River
and Boktucklo, Timothy J. Caphos of Tomson, Dallas Christie of Hagie and
Wolf, Thomas L. Griggs of Kiamichi, Martin Charleston of Takoka, Ellis
bohanan of Jacksfork, Abner B. Posley of Bine.  Officers James Bower,
president; Alex. Williams, interpreter; Jonas Taylor, journalist, Jo W.
Conser, recoring secretary.

The feature of today was the message of the governor which was read
before a joint sess of the senate and house by the governor's son, D. C.
McCurtain, of South McAlester."

"Council Chat.

The governor's message was read in English and interpreted in Choctaw.
Close attention was piad by the members and every word seemed to be
carefully weighed.  Several Choctaw women were present and appeared to be
no less interested in the proceedings than the men.

Martin Charleston of Atoka and Adam Posley of Blue, who affiliated with
the Hunter senate, appeared this morning and asked admission, which was
granted, not merely upon their certificates, but after an examination of
the returns which showed their election.

To P. S. Lester, the governor's efficient and accommodating private
secretary, your correspondent has been placed under many obligations for
courtesies shown him.

Capt. I. S. Lowry, of Ft. Smith, is among the prominent out of the nation
people present.  He is a warm personal friend of Governor McCurtain.

Owing to irregularities the vote of three precincts was not included in
the official count for principal chief.  The returns of Durant precinct
and those of Pleasant Cove precinct and Jacksfork county were not
accompanied by certificates of the election judges as the law requires.
The Caddo returns had been opened and those of Atoka precinct were not
presented, they being in the hands of the Hunter faction.  It was upon the
count of the vote of this precinct that Hunter was declared elected.  Had
there been no irregularities and all the votes cast in this election
counted it is said that McCurtain's majority would have been close to 200.

Ex-Governor Dukes sought an audience with Indian Agent Shoenfelt this
morning and demanded of that official that the McCurtain government be
overthrown and that he (Dukes) be recognized as governor pending the
adjustment of the Hunter contention.  Shoenfelt  informed Dukes that he
was not in the recognizing business and would do nothing for him.  Dukes
turned away greatly dissapointed and returned to his headquarters.  The
ludicrousness of Dukes' request can be appreciated when it is known that
he had delivered his message to the Hunter legislature and had affiliated
with the Hunter senate, having been elected senator at the last election.

When the Hunter government was overthrown and left the coucil house the
officers carried with them the seal and important papers and books
belonging to the nation.  Whether they will give them up when requested is
a mooted question.  If they are relinquished without trouble everything
will move smoothly at the Choctaw capitol as there now appears nothing
else upon which to base a cause for a disturbance of any kind."

South McAlester Weekly Capital, October 23, 1902.

Hunter's Proclamation.   Says, 'One Green McCurtain Was Seated by Mob of
Men Assisted by United States Soldiers.   Will Contest McCurtain's Rights.

Tuskahoma, I.T., Oct. 17.   "T. W. Hunter, one of the two 'duly elected'
principal chiefs of the Choctaw Nation striving for recognition at
Washington, late yesterday afternoon issued the following proclamation,
just prior to the adjournment of the Hunter council:

"Office of Principal Chief, Choctaw Nation, Tuskahoma, I.T., Oct. 16,
1902.

Whereas, on Oct. 11, 1902, one Green McCurtain was, by a mob of men,
illegally declared principal chief of the Choctaw Nation, said mob having
been admitted to the capitol building by soldiers of the United States in
command of one Major Starr; and

"Whereas, said United States soldiers dethroned, deposed, disarmed and
removed, and disabled and prevented from performing their respective
duties, the Chief Executive, his light horsemen and staff, the General
Council, of which the House of Representatives was at the time in session;

and

"Whereas, it is said that said Green McCurtain is professing to perform
the duties of principal chief of this nation, therefore

"I, T. W. Hunter, the duly elected and qualified Principal Chief of the
Choctaw Nation, as proclaimed in joint session of the General Council on
October 9, 1902, proclaim to the people, that said Green McCurtain is not
the duly elected and qualified Principal Chief; that he has no right to
bind said nation in any liability, nor to transact any business as such
Principal Chief; that he has not got the Great Seal of said Nation, nor
any legal authority whatever to in any way affect the real rights of the
Choctaw Nation, and his every such act is and will be illegal and void,
and will be contested, and his present illegal, insurrectionary and
rebellious assumption of authority will be contested before all proper
tribunals and authoriti8es as soon and as rapidly as practically possible.

Given under my hand as such Principal Chief, this the fifteenth day of
October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand, nine hundred and two.

Thomas W. Hunter, Principal Chief, Choctaw Nation.

The sessions of the rival councils have reached the farce comedy stage.
The members of both bodies meet and tell stories until the time for
adjournment comes.  Each side wonders what the next move of its adversary
will be.  Probably no action of importance will be taken until the
Interior Department is heard from."

South McAlester Weekly Capital, October 23, 1902.

Maj. Starr Wants To Leave.   Army Officer Telegraphs Washington The He is
No Longer Needed Legislature May Adjourn Next Friday.

Tuskahoma, I.T., Oct. 16.   "All is quiet at the Choctaw Capital.  The
senate yesterday confirmed all the appointments made by Green McCurtain,
which embrace every office now occupied by appointees of Governor Dukes, a
clean sweep having been made.

T. W. Hunter yesterday received notification from Governor McCurtain that
he had appointed B. S. Smiser of Atoka to the Townsite Commission as the
Choctaw member, that place now being held by Hunter.

Major Starr today asked the department for the recall of his command now
here to their post at Fort Reno, stating there was no occasion for troops
here.  The town is now deserted by all visitors, the members of the
council and the governor's staff being about all there are left here.

Papers in the governors' muddle are all ready on both sides of the
controversy, and the matter will be transferred to Washington for final
adjudication by the Indian department.  Speculation as to the outcome is
rife, friend of both parties claiming to have the stronger case.  The
matter will be brought before the department at the earliest moment.

The only business transacted by the council yesterday was clearing the
contest between H. P. Ward and C. B. Vincent for the judgeship of Atoka
county.  Vincent was elected judge of that county, commissioned, and after
serving a short time resigned, but was afterward reappointed by Governor
Dukes.  Ward claimed that Vincent defeated him by only four votes and that
they were illegal.  The council decided in favor of Ward and Governor
McCurtain commissioned him.  A joint resolution was passed just before
adjournment today to meet every morning until Friday of next week, pending
the outcome of the governorship contest, and if no decision has been
reached by that time, to adjourn sine die.

Mr. Hunter received a telegram from the national capitol from a messenger
sent to that city by his party, advising him to hold daily session of his
council regardless of the presence of troops, as the legality of the
gubernatorial election from the Choctaw standpoint would be thoroughly
investigated before any recognition of either faction would be made."

South McAlester Weekly Capital, October 23, 1902.

Gov. McCurtain Recognized.   Secretary Hitchcock Advises Indian Agent
Shoenfelt of the Government's Decision.

The Indian scrap is now over.

Gov. Green McCurtain is the recognized governor of the Choctaw nation,
and as such is recognized by the federal government.  The Hunter faction
derived little consolation from the sudden turn of affairs, as their
charges were not sustained.

Col. J. Blair Shoenfelt Saturday receive the following telegram from
Secretary Hitchcock of the Interior Department:

"Washington, Oct. 18.  Shoenfelt: Indian Agent and Acting Indian
Inspector, Muskogee, I. T.

Replying to your telegram of the 16th inst., I am, upon careful
consideration of all information received, clearly of the opinion that
McCurtain should be recognized as governor of the Choctaw nation.  In the
dealing of the department and its offices with that nation in executing
and administering the laws related to the Choctaws, you will act
accordingly."

South McAlester Weekly Capital, October 23, 1902.

Col. Shoenfelt Here.   Indian Agent Leaves Choctaw Capitol With His
Police Message Trouble Is All Over.

This morning Col. J. Blair Shoenfelt, Indian Agent, arrived in this city
over the Choctaw [railway] from Tuskahoma, accompanied by a number of his
Indian police.  The Colonel has been in the Choctaw capitol for several
days at the head of his Indian police and was one of the leading figures
in the recent Choctaw confab.

When asked this morning regarding the situation at Tuskahoma when he
left, Mr. Shoenfelt replied:

"Everything was quiet at Tuskahoma when I left.  I think there will be no
more trouble.  Mar. Starr and his troops were still there when we left.
All of the Indian police have been recalled.

 When asked regarding the action of both factions at present, Mr.
Shoenfelt replied: [copy not readable]

South McAlester Weekly Capital, October 23, 1902.

Hon. T. W. Hunter, one of the leading figures in the Choctaw trouble at
Tuskahoma, arrived this morning from Tuskahoma and is at his desk in the
Townsite Commission office.  This is his first visit here since the
Choctaw legislature convened."

South McAlester Weekly Capital, October 30, 1902.

Six of Governor McCurtain's light horsemen were arrested at Tuskahoma
yesterday by Deputy Marshal Howell, of Talihina, and taken to Antlers on
the charge of disturbing the peace.  They went to the home of Judge
Thompson, where Norman Leard, the private secretary of ex-Governor Dukes,
was stopping, for the purpose of rescuing the national seal, which is
still in possession of the Hunter faction."

South McAlester Weekly Capital, November 6, 1902.

Dukes' Son Is Wanted.   For Removing Citizenship Records Joe Dukes May Be
Given Thirty-Nine Lashes on the Bare Back.

Late yesterday evening Sheriff Sol Mackey of Tobuckey county, Choctaw
nation, found the records of the Choctaw Citizenship Commission, which
were removed secretly by Joe Dukes, son of the ex-governor, early
yesterday morning.  The books and records were found at the residence of
Mr. L. Dukes, a nephew of the ex-governor, near the electric light plant.

Early yesterday morning J. M. Crabtree, the drayman, was accosted by Joe
Dukes in front of the McMurray building.  Dukes had a large book under his
arm.

Are you a drayman?' asked Dukes.

Crabtree replied that he was, whereupon Dukes asked him to haul some
books from his office.

Mr. Crabtree knew that young Dukes formerly stayed about the law offices
of Mansfield, McMurray & Cornish and never suspected that anything was
wrong.  He backed his wagon up to the curb and accompanied dukes to the
office above.

Dukes selected a large number of volumes which he desired, and, after
making a hasty search of the private filing cabinet in the attorneys'
room, instructed Crabtree to haul the load to the residence of L. Dukes on
North Main street.

Dukes disappeared after the books were left at the home of his cousin.
The theft was detected only after a member of the law firm had been told
of the trick by a gentleman who was taken into the confidence of one of
Dukes' friends.

Mr. Crabtree at once told where the books were carried.  The police were
instructed to look out for Dukes, but failed to find him.

The records taken are very valuable, being a roll of accepted citizens of
the nation.  They occupied a position in one of the offices of Messrs.
Mansfield, McMurray & Cornish, which is headquarters for the Choctaw
nation Citizenship Commission, composed of three citizens of the nation.
One of the commissioners acts as clerk, and spends considerable time at
the office.  Under Dukes' administration D. C. McCurtain was clerk of the
commission, but resigned some time ago, and Gov. Dukes appointed his son
Joe.  It has been several weeks since Joe was at this office.  When he was
here last he was asked if he had a key to the office, and replied that he
did not.

When McCurtain was seated as governor he appointed Henry Ansley as clerk
of the commission.  Mr. Ansley was in his office at work the night before
the incident and several times though he heard footsteps in the front
office.  He investigated, but could find no one.  It is now believed that
young Dukes endeavored to get all the records the night before, but found
Mr. Ansley at work and left.

Just what was the intention of the young man can not be ascertained.  It
is thought by some that young Dukes nurses an idea of clogging the wheels
of the Choctaw government since his father has been unmercifully
browbeaten at the game of politics.

The Penalty.

The Choctaw law defines the removal of official books and records from
its rightful place, by any unauthorized party, as being larceny, and says
the penalty shall be 30 lashes upon the bare back.

From a friend of Joe Dukes it is learned that the young man contends that
he is still the rightful possessor of the commission records.  His
successor, Henry Ansley, has been in charge of the office for several
days, and Joe Dukes has not been in this city for about three months, yet
he refuses to recognize the McCurtain administration, which unseated him,
and, like several other Choctaw officials, will endeavor to hold over.  It
is doubtful if the young man fully realized the grave nature of his act.
When he is apprehended he will most likely be given a good lecture and
released, as there is no disposition on the part of the officials to give
the offender the limit of the barbaric Choctaw punishment for such an
act."

South McAlester Weekly Capital, November 13, 1902.

Shoenfelt Aggrieved.

Talk to Washington Correspondent About Choctaw Conflict and the Durant
Story of the John Smith Whiskey.

S. M. Reynolds writing from Washington to the Ft. Smith Times has the
following to say of Col. J. Blair Shoenfelt who has been at Washington for
some time.

Agent Shoenfelt of Muskogee has been in town during the week on official
business with the Interior Department relative to his duties as disbursing
agent.  He talks quite guardedly on Indian affairs, but does not hesitate
to blame the whole recent trouble in the Choctaw nation on [U. S.] Marshal
Hackett with whom he is evidently not on the best of terms.  Neither did
he take very kindly to the story published in The [Ft. Smith] Times
recently about him having shipped whiskey into Durant under a fictitious
name.  He says that he was never in Durant but once and at that time he
was fresh from Tishomingo, where he had broken several cases of contraband
whiskey.  If he had needed any of the vile stuff he could have gotten it
here, he avers, without buying it.  And as to calling at the express
office for it, under the name of Tom Smith or any other name, it's absurd.
He does not know where the express office is in Durant and besides he
wouldn't violate the law anyway.  That editor in Durant started the story
through malice and it's a fabrication from the beginning to end.

He is likewise very positive that McCurtain will never budge from his
gubernatorial chair.  The plan to enjoin McCurtain from executing legal
documents and thus throw the whole matter into the federal courts, will
prove futile, from the fact that the federal courts have no jurisdiction
over Choctaw affairs.  It might come within the province of the Choctaw
supreme court, but the justices of that tribunal are all McCurtain's
friends so that nothing would be gained.

Mr. Shoenfelt left in the middle of the week for a visit to his old
homestead near Scranton, Pa., whence he will return to his duties early in
the week."

1904

South McAlester Weekly Capital, February 11, 1904.

U. S. Marshal B. F. Hackett Removed From Office.

Without Being Allowed A Hearing He is Dismissed for Incompetency.

His Successor Is Not Named.

All Deputies Go Out of Office With Their Chief.

New Appointee Instructed Not to Retain Some of the Best Officials In the
Department-Oschenreiter is to Blame.

From Friday's Daily.   Washington, D.C. Feb. 5 "Like a clap of thunder
from a clear sky came the announcement last evening that President
Roosevelt had removed from office Major B. F. Hackett, United States
Marshal for the central district and acting upon the advice of the
Attorney General will instruct his successor, who has not as yet been
named, not to retain as deputies some of the best officials in the
marshal's department.

The sudden action of the president is believed to have been brought about
by the Stevens' resolution in the lower house of congress, whereby the
Attorney General was instructed to transmit to congress the report of the
Department Inspectors, Chambers and Oschenreiter, who made a careful
investigation of the Indian Territory offices last summer.

Marshal Hackett is in Washington with prisoners for the reform school.
He was ignorant of the fact that charges have been preferred against him
and knew nothing of the action until it became generally known about town.
He was denied a hearing.

The charges against Marshal Hackett were incompetency and failure to
punish his subordinates for misconduct, particularly in permitting a man
named Short to escape from the Poteau jail, where he was confined for
murder.

The following deputies are named as those who must not be retained by
Hackett's successor: Chief Office Deputy F. B Genung, South McAlester; T.
P. Hackett, J. E. Emmert, M. F. Donathan, W. W. Wall, T. D. Smith, John A.
Hunt, H. K. Wall, and J. T. Hackett, nor as jail physician Dr. M. C.
Wilson.  Marshal Colbert of the Southern district will be direct to
dismiss Deputy Marshals George F. Oates and Oscar Wilkinson.

The investigation resulted in the removal of J. C. C. Rogers, deputy
marshal, and H. L. Rogers, a constable of the Northern district.  The
deputies Genung, T. F. Hackett, J. E. Emmert, and the jail physician, Dr.
Wilson, were the persons involved in this escape.  The other deputies
dismissed were guilty of drunkenness, permitting prisoners to escape and
violating the law concerning the introduction of intoxicants into the
Indian Territory

News at Home.

Late yesterday afternoon a telegram was received at the Marshal's office
from the department of justice, announcing the removal of Marshal Hackett,
effective today, and stating that a letter was coming.  The news created
considerable excitement among the officials and their friends.

While none of the officials know the exact nature of the charges, it is
generally believed that Inspector Oschenreiter, who was here last summer
making an investigation, fathered the charges.

As all the officials of the marshal's department, numbering over thirty
men, were personal appointees of Marshal Hackett, the removal of their
chief leaves them also without office.

The Central District is virtually without a United States Marshal or
deputy today Outside of completing unfinished business and checking up
accounts, no new business is being done at the marshal's office.

The Short Escape.

Readers of the Capital will remember the escape of a Deputy U. S. Marshal
named Short, from the federal jail at Poteau, several months ago.  Short
killed an Indian on a Choctaw [Railway] train near Wister, the shooting
arising from previous trouble between the two men.  At the preliminary
hearing Short was bound over and lodged in jail at Poteau.  Jail physician
M. C. Wilson of this city went to Poteau and declared smallpox existing in
the jail.  A quarantine guard was placed on Short, who claimed to be
suffering from the dread disease.  A few days later Short was at large.
The guard said he made his escape at night.  He has never been
apprehended.  At the time the people of Poteau censured Dr. Wilson
strongly, declaring that smallpox did not exist in the jail.

The fact that neither Hackett nor [Chief Deputy] Genung is responsible
for the escape is generally known here.  Hackett was at the time in
Colorado with his wife, while Genung was in Washington with prisoners for
the reform school.  T. P. Hackett is the deputy who arrested Short, while
J. E. Emmert was placed in charge of the man at the jail.  Among the
deputies named in the above dispatch there are men who have excellent
records as officers as well as straight forward citizens.  Until the
report in full is made public the exact charges against them can not be
surmised.

Genung's Statement.

Chief Office Deputy Frank S. Genung, was asked to make a statement this
morning.  He replied [as follows]:

"Newspaper accounts of the removal of Marshal Hackett seem to implicate me
in the escape of Deputy Short, who was charged with murder and who
surrendered himself to Deputy Emmert at Poteau, September 8, last.

Short was committed to the jail there and escaped from the jailor on
September 13, and has not been recaptured.  I had lately returned from
Washington and knew nothing of this trouble of Short's until a telegram
was received from Deputy Emmert stating the Short has escaped the night
before.

I then wired office deputy Tom Hackett to send in a full report of the
matter and heard from him the 15th.  On the 16th I went to Poteau and made
a personal investigation of the escape and when Marshal Hackett returned
from Colorado I reported the facts to him as I found them.  I also gave
the District Attorney the benefit of my investigation.

There was no one to blame for this escape outside of Poteau, and if the
responsibility was fixed on any one, perhaps he should be been discharged,
but that could not have been done except by the Marshal himself."

South McAlester Weekly Capital, February 11, 1904.

The Removal.

The excitement over the removal of United States Marshal B. F. Hackett,
Chief Deputy F. S. Genung, and a number of field deputies of the Central
District, has created a general desire on the part of the public to get at
the facts.

Until the charges against these men are more generally understood, the
public can be fair in refusing to believe the allegations.  The method of
removing men from high positions, without granting them an opportunity to
defend themselves; the strenuosity of the president in placing the stigma
of suspicion on men whose public record and personality merit the respect
of their associates, justly warrants the bitter censure that is being
heaped on the government by friends of the removed officers.

Marshal Hackett is charged with incompetency and failure to punish
subordinates for alleged wrong doing.  Without being granted a hearing his
head dropped in the official basket.  He is believed to be innocent.

Chief Deputy Genung, whose record as a federal official is the longest of
any man serving in Indian Territory, is charged with being involved in the
escape of a murderer from jail.  This charge is so absurd, so
unaccountable, that it cannot be considered as an impeachment of his long
honorable record as a public man."

South McAlester Weekly Capital, February 11, 1904.

To Be Allowed To Resign.

Marshal Hackett May go Out That Door if He Likes.

Washington [D.C.]. Feb. 6.   "United States Marshal Hackett, of the
Central district of Indian Territory, whose dismissal was recently ordered
on the charge of incompetence, is in Washington.  He informed friends that
he has had no official notification of his dismissal and knew nothing of
the action of the department of justice in disposing of him until he read
it in the papers after he had left the territory on his way here.  He
tried to see the attorney general today in order to read the charges, but
fail to get an audience.  It is understood that he received an intimation
from headquarters, however, that he would be permitted to resign if he
preferred to take that course."

South McAlester Weekly Capital, February 11, 1904.

Marshal Hackett served in the wrong war.  Ben Colbert, marshal of the
Southern District, shod Roosevelt's horses in the Cuban campaign and won
the highest estimation of the president.  Despite the charges filed
against Colbert, Teddy remembers Ben only as a soldier at San Juan."

"The applicants for office from South McAlester now at Washington should
be careful about their sympathy for the decapitated Central District

officers."

"The removal of Hackett tears a good size hole in the Clayton machine in
this district.  Hackett had quite a political following and the patronage
was circulated wisely to the credit of the republican combine."

"Republican clubs in Indian Territory, made up of federal appointees in
the main, will not be so zealous in their support of the Rough Rider if
the summary dismissal verdict before trial crusade becomes general."

"The new United States Marshal will be initiated by presiding at the
double execution scheduled here March 18th."
[The following article is a transcript of Indian Agent Shoenfelt's
testimony before congress that sealed the fate of U.S. Marshal Hackett.]
South McAlester Weekly Capital, February 18, 1904.

Shoenfelt Lifted Marshal Hackett's Scalp.

Indian Agent's Report On Tuskahoma Mix-Up Put Marshal In Bad Light.

He Refused To Disarm Men.

Shoenfelt Says With Co-operation of Marshal Soldiers Would Not Have Been
Needed.

Text of the Indian Agent's Report on the Indian Conflict at the Choctaw
Capital Marshal's Age Against Him.

Capital special.  Washington, D. C. Feb. 10.

Upon investigation it is learned that Marshal Hackett's removal from
office is the result of the disturbance which occurred at Tuskahoma more
than a year ago.  The refusal of the Marshal that led to conflict with the
Indian agent necessitated the sending of troops to the Choctaw Nation to
preserve order and cost the government in the neighborhood of $10,000.
The details of this incident are brought forth in the annual report
recently submitted of J. Blake Shoenfelt.  In his report the Indian agent
says: 'Much feeling was engendered in the recent election of the chief and
tribal officers of the Choctaw Nation.  The issues were tightly drawn, the
principal one being the ratification or rejection of the supplemental
agreement made with the Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes of Indians and
ratified by act of congress approved July 1, 1902.

Green McCurtain and his followers urged the ratification, and T. W.
Hunter and his party were opposed to it.  The then Principal Chief, Dukes,
supported Hunter.

Upon the urgent request of prominent citizens I advised the department of
possible trouble in the Choctaw Nation and was directed to proceed to the
capital, located at Tuskahoma, with sufficient police to preserve peace
and order during the session of the national council.

Immediately after my arrival at the capital I saw that there was imminent
danger of conflict between the contending factions as Principal Chief
Dukes had filled the capital building with armed light horsemen, who
refused admission to certain members of the council and all but a few
Choctaw citizens.

This action aroused a feeling of indignation among the peaceable and law
abiding Choctaws.  My police force being sufficient to cope with the
situation, I at once conferred with the United State Marshal, who had been
directed by the department of justice to co-operate with and be guided
largely by suggestions, he having been sent to Tuskahoma to assist in
preserving the peace, and I suggested that the only way to prevent serious
trouble was to disarm all persons in the capitol building and permit all
peaceable citizens to enter the building provided they were disarmed.

The United States Marshal refused to give his co-operation in disarming
the men in the capitol building.

On Monday, October 6, 1902, when the legislative body assembled and
tribal officers and certain Choctaw citizens attempted to enter the
capitol building they were confronted at the door by these armed men and
only those persons whom they desired to have do so were permitted to enter
while others were refused.

Those who were denied admission appealed to me.  I consulted with them
and asked them to remain quiet and commit no overt act.  I then had a
conference with Marshal Hackett and Principal Chief Dukes, and urged the
latter to disarm his light horsemen.

This he refused to do, and the marshal would not co-operate with me in
disarming them, and urged Duke to not permit his light horse men to be
disarmed.

Immediately after the conference and just as I reached the door coming
out of the capitol building, 150 determined men made a rush for the door.
It was with the utmost difficulty that I prevailed upon them to remain
quiet, stating that every effort was being made to adjust matters so that
the legislative body could assemble according to law and canvas the vote
and determine who had rightly been elected Principal Chief.   "Affairs
remained in this condition until Tuesday morning, when another effort was
made by certain persons to enter the capitol building, but they were again
denied admission by armed men.

Finding myself powerless to cope with the situation, and the marshal
having refused to co-operate with me, I asked that troops be sent to
assist me in preserving the peace.

Pending the arrival of the troops it was a difficult matter to keep the
contending factions from having trouble.

In the meantime certain persons were permitted to enter the capitol
building and Principal Chief Dukes convened both houses of the legislative
body, and organized with Mr. James Bowers as president of the senate, and
Robert J. Ward as speaker of the house of representatives.

Afterwards while in session members were ordered out of the capitol
building by armed men under instructions from Principal Chief Dukes, and
members who had retired were not allowed to return.  Under the
circumstances an adjournment was taken.

Green McCurtain urged me to call for troops in order to avoid a serious
conflict and that the capitol building might be cleared and the supreme
judges be given an opportunity to canvass the vote, as those judges were
afraid to enter the capitol building, fearing that the vote of the nation
would be taken from them, the vote being in their possession, or at least
they had the vote of 50 or 51 precincts.

On Saturday, October 11, troops arrived under the command of Maj. Starr.
After a short conference with him he threw around the capitol building a
squad of soldiers and disarmed every person in the yard.  I then detailed
a detachment of police to accompany the supreme judges to the capitol
building.  When they arrived I announced publicly that the building had
been cleared of all armed forces, and that ll persons desiring to enter
the building could do so, provided they were disarmed.

The supreme judges then delivered the vote in accordance with the Choctaw
law, the result showing Green McCurtain elected Principal Chief.

During the interim between Tuesday and Saturday, Hunter, who had
possession of the vote of one of the precincts of the Choctaw Nation in
collusion with certain of his followers, claimed to have taken the oath as
Principal Chief of the Choctaw Nation, and then declared and held himself
out as such Principal Chief, demanding recognition of me, which I refused
to give.

I am satisfied that if Marshal Hackett had co-operated with and assisted
me in disarming the light horsemen in the capitol building troops would
not have been necessary.

During the period from the first assembling of the council until the
arrival of the troops Saturday afternoon there was imminent danger of the
two contending factions coming together and shedding blood, as Indian
politicians are partisans of the worts stripe, and bitter feeling was
engendered.

I returned to headquarters at Muskogee short after the induction of Green
McCurtain, and submitted my report to the department, which afterwards
recognized Green McCurtain as Principal Chief of the Choctaw Nation, and
he has continued to hold said office.

It is regarded by the citizen generally of the Choctaw Nation that the
election of Green McCurtain as Principal Chief was to the best interests
of the Choctaw people, as he is progressive and liberal in his ideas and
in harmony with the views of the department in setting up the affairs of
the Indians in the Indian Territory in accordance with recent
Congressional acts."

South McAlester Weekly Capital, March 4, 1904.

From Tuesday's Daily: "Temporary Appointments.

United States Marshal George K. Pritchard today announced the following
temporary appointments of deputy [U. S.] marshals, the appointees to serve
for fifteen days, at which time the numerous applications can be acted
upon:

"Office deputies G. L. Miller, M. M. Lindly, South McAlester; A. M.
Chitwood, Atoka; H. J. Robinson, Durant.  Field deputies Crockett Lee,
South McAlester; W. W. Bradsaw, Colegate; W. C. York, Atoka; A. M. Wilcox,
Durant; J. B. Davis, Colbert; Z. R. Stacy, Boswell; J. S. Clay, Garvin; C.
W. Berry, Antlers; C. W. Fields, Poteau; Bob Fortune, Wilburton.

The announcement was also made of the permanent appointment of Dr. A.
Griffith, of South McAlester, as jail physician for the central district,
an appointment which meets with universal approval."

South McAlester Weekly Capital, March 17, 1904.

Hartshorne Wants Hunt.

Haileyville Journal: "The city council, in regular session Monday night,
endorsed John A. Hunt and recommended his appointment to the office of
deputy United States marshal.  The commercial club at their regular
meeting Monday night, likewise instructed for Mr. Hunt's re-appointment by
a unanimous vote, T. J. Stalling and William Spray being appointed on a
committee to present Hunt's petition to U. S. Marshal Pritchard."

South McAlester Weekly Capital, March 17, 1904.

To Investigate Deputy Hunt.

[U. S.] Marshal George K. Pritchard will go to Hartshorne tomorrow to
investigate the charges preferred against Deputy Marshal John Hunt, by
Inspector Oschenreiter.  Hunt was included in the list of those deputies
who should not be retained by Marshal Pritchard.  He was accused of
drunkenness.  Hunt immediately denied the charge and succeeded in
interesting the [U. S.] Attorney General who today ordered Marshal
Pritchard to investigate.

None of the deputies have ever presented such a strong endorsement for
re- appointment as has Deputy Hunt.  The Hartshorne city council, the
Hartshorne Commercial Club, every businessman in town and the United Mine
Workers have joined in a plea for his re-appointment.  At Haileyville the
businessmen also signed a monster petition."

South McAlester Weekly Capital, April 7, 1904.

John Hunt, of Hartshorne, is here today to take the oath of office having
been re-instated by [U. S.] Marshal Pritchard as deputy at Hartshorne and
Haileyville."

[U.S. Marshal Pritchard and his deputies continued to serve the Central
District of the Choctaw Nation until the hour that statehood went into
effect for Oklahoma in October of 1907.  At that time, they were replaced
by new appointments made by the President of the United States.]
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