Cherokee Nation Weighs Council Calls Amid Land Division Push
The Cherokee nation debates whether to convene an extra national council to amend the Dawes commission treaty. Vinita sentiment largely opposes a special session, preferring the regular November meeting after elections. The paper praises community support in its libel defense and upholds press independence.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
National Council
Dawes Commission
Vinita
Congress
Indian Committee
Washington
Opinion on Citizenship Claims in Five Civilized Tribes
Attorney General discusses whether the Secretary of the Interior and the Five Civilized Tribes commission can accept or reject citizenship claims by individuals not found on tribal rolls, tracing statutory duties since 1893 and earlier acts. The piece notes Cherokee politics, allotment prospects, and the influence of upcoming summer elections.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Secretary of the Interior
Department
Five Civilized Tribes
Commission
Willis van Devanter
United States
Commission To the
The Chieftain libel case verdict in Vinita court
The Indian Territory libel suit brought by F. M. Smith and George H. McCullough for Silvester S. Smith ended with a five dollar verdict for the plaintiff after a five day trial. The jury weighed malice and newsworthiness as judge Springer instructed, marking a historic case for newspapers in the territory and beyond.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Indian Territory
F. M. Smith
George H. McCullough
Silvester S. Smith
Jas. Davenport
Te Kornegay
Arkansas
Appellate Fourth
Bar
Instructions on Compensatory Damages and Libel Suit
The court instructs on compensatory damages for reputational injury from publication. Consider community standing, general and subject-specific reputation, and the plaintiff's character. If reputations were poor or associations degraded, damages may adjust accordingly. The law presumes good character unless proven otherwise by a preponderance of evidence. Damages may reflect mental suffering, taunts, and impact on family knowledge, with no need for proof of actual injury beyond the publication being libelous. The jury weighs credibility, demeanor, and bias, and may assess damages up to the amount claimed, based on the evidence and the law defining libel.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Vinita
Sylvester
Rough Riders
Tampa
Florida
Kansas City
Smith
United States
Plantiff
Lai
Muskogee Townsite Commissioners Appointed Request
U S inspector J George Wright reports to Muskogee town council on appointing a townsite commissioner under Curtis bill section 15. The Creek nation will nominate a tribal representative. mayor to name a town member, with a deadline of the 13th. Also notes Dawes treaty doubts and Cherokee leadership contests as grass grows.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
J. George Wright
U. 8
Indian Territory
Muskogee
Secretary of the Interior
Department
J. Geo. Watoni
U.S
Ladder
Also Mentioned on This Page
Advanc
Coxrany
D. M. Marrs
M.E. Milford
Vistra
Isp. Tes
Arn
Attorney General
Downing
National
United States Geological Survey
Ninety-Eighth Meridian
Lsst
Chickasaw
Sentinel
Billy
Good Citizen
James
Cherokee Nation
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