Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 304, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 December 1915 — INDIANS ARE PROGRESSING [ARTICLE]

INDIANS ARE PROGRESSING

Figures Show That the Wards of the Government Take Advantage of Their Opportunities. The “Five Civilized Tribes,” whose original domain was formerly known as Indian territory, comprise the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek and Seminole tribes of Indians in Oklahoma. Their total number of enrolled members and freemen is 101,200. Of the total area of land embraced within the tribes’ domain there were allotted to members 15,794,400 acres. On sales the total deposited to the credit of the five tribes July 1, 1898, to June 30, 1914, was 517,099,826, and there is yet due and drawing interest at six per cent the sum of $5,623,950. The tribal form of government of the Cherokee tribe was practically abolished at the close of the fiscal year June 30, 1914. Pursuant to previous acts of congress applicable to all the tribes, the Choctaw, the Chickasaw and Seminole tribes have been deprived of their legislative and judicial functions, retaining only a couple of executive officers for the transaction of business matters. In the Creek nation the only work of importance looking to the ultimate disposition of tribal affairs is the equalization of Creek allotments. Of the total enrolled populatidta of the five tribes the restricted class numbers 36,957. By the latest available figures the total number of Indians who have professed Christianity is 85,302; the number in 1912 was 65,529. There are 583 churches among the Indians now, as compared with 513 in 1912. The latest figures show 27,775 Indian children in government schools and 4,829 in mission schools. The average school attendance in 1914 was 26,127; in 1912, 26,281; in 1900, 21,568; in 1890, 12,323. The number of schools in 1914 was 399; 1912, 412; 1900, 307; 1890, 246.