The Southwest National Archives branch in Fort Worth, Texas holds most of the original Bureau of Indian Affairs records from Oklahoma. This is their extensive inventory of approximately 650 types of records covering enrollment, allotment, leases, finances, probate, programs, and schools. These original records must be viewed in person at the SW National Archives. Please see Visiting the National Archives.
Go to: Introduction ... Table of Contents ... Appendix I-VIII ... Alphabetical index (A-I)
Go to Record Entries: 1-60a ... 61-128 ... 129-207a ... 208-288a ... 289-359 ... 360-442a ... 443-506 ... 507-579 ... 580-649
The Superintendent of the Union Agency was responsible for placing Indians in possession of the land allotted to them by the Dawes Commission and enforcing provisions of agreements with tribal governments and Congressional legislation relating to the lease or sale of allotted and unallotted land. The Superintendent was also responsible for the collection of payments for the purchase of lots in approved townsites and the issuance of deeds to the lots. In 1906, divisions were established within the agency for Townsites, Deeds, Intruders (non-Indians), and Land Sales. The Townsites and Deeds Divisions were merged in 1908 and then consolidated with the three remaining divisions in 1915 to form the Land Division.
In 1926, the Land Division was merged with the Individual Indian Money Division to form the Indian Land and Money Division. It consisted of 36 employees who were responsible for processing applications for the removal of restrictions from allotted land, supervising the leasing of land and the collection of rental payments, conducting sales of tribal land and property, preparing and approving vouchers for disbursements of funds from the accounts of individual Indians, and storing the agency's older records and the records of the Dawes Commission
When an Area Office was established at Muskogee in 1949, a Branch of Land Management and a Branch of Land Acquisition and Disposition were created. The Branch of Land Management was subsequently renamed the Branch of Land Operations and was responsible for agricultural extension services, soil conservation activities, and water control projects. The Branch of Land Acquisition and Disposition was renamed the Branch of Realty in 1958 and then became the Branch of Real Property Management in 1965. It was responsible for the utilization, development, and protection of restricted Indian land and custody of the agency's records.
The agency only exercised control over unallotted land, townsites, and land allotted to persons designated "restricted Indians" as defined in agreements with the tribal governments and Congressional legislation. Many Indians disposed of their Surplus or Homestead allotments under various acts of Congress and the agency's control over the land was terminated by the sale. See J. E. Bennett, The Law of Titles to Indian Land (Oklahoma City, 1917) and Norman Graebner "The Public Land Policy of the Five Civilized Tribes" in The Chronicles of Oklahoma (Volume 23 Number 2).
1914-1946. 2 ft.
Arranged chronologically. No correspondence has been located for the period
from 1938 to 1944.
Carbon copies of letters sent and some copies of letters received by the
Superintendent of the agency from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. The
letters relate to land sales, leases, deeds, enrollment, and the status of
allotted land. Many of these letters are also among the records described in
entry 295. (from 53982-3).
A-13-8-3
1908-1913. 2 in.
Arranged by subject.
Correspondence, copies of deeds and leases, reports of field employees of the
agency, and copies of documents field in proceedings held in various courts.
The bulk of the correspondence is between the Commissioner to the Five
Civilized Tribes, J. George Wright, and the Commissioner of Indian Affairs,
officials of land companies, field employees, and allottees. The records appear
to have been maintained by Commissioner Wright for reference and relate to
deeds of full-blood Choctaws to the Chickasaw Land Company, the McAlester Real
Estate Exchange, "Booster Car," the Duncan Townsite case, and the
leasing of Creek oil land along the Arkansas River (from 69896).
A-13-8-2
1929-1963. 40 ft.
Arranged in yearly segments and thereunder alphabetically by the first letter
of the subject or the addressee's name. No correspondence has been located for
the period from 1951 to 1957.
Original letters received and copies of letters sent by the Superintendent to
other Indian agencies, officials of state agencies, and the general public. The
bulk of the letters are requests for information about enrollment, eligibility
for benefits and shares of payments being made to various tribes, issuance of
birth certificates, the status of land, and land sales. The staff of the Indian
Land and Money Division was responsible for answering general questions about
enrollment from the records of the Dawes Commission that were in its custody.
(from 69968-71, 46638-646, 70196-9, 70312-4, 46300-1, and 455101-119).
A-13-8-3
1907-1908. 3 in.
Arranged chronologically.
Reports submitted by the Land Appraiser at Muskogee, A. G. McGregor, to the
Superintendent of the agency and some townsite appraisements and lists of land
sold by Creek allottees. The reports relate to applications for removal of
restrictions from allotted land, leases, royalty payments, and land sales.
There are a few copies of opinions of the U.S. Attorney General and
instructions from the Secretary of Interior relating to the inheritance and
conveyance of allotted land. Some of the copies of opinions are dated 1904-06.
A-13-10-4
1906-1909. 8 vols. 8 in.
Arranged chronologically. Each volume contains an index to the allottees
mentioned in the letters. The volumes are numbered 12, 13, 17, 18, and 21 to 24
and the missing volumes have not been located.
Press copies of letters sent by the Superintendent of the agency to the
Commissioner of Indian Affairs relating to applications for the removal of
restrictions on the sale of allotted land. Many of the letters are form letters
that transmit reports on the applications.
A-13-12-4
1911-1916. 3 in.
Arranged chronologically.
Correspondence, copies of opinions of the U.S. Attorney General, copies of
documents filed in proceedings in Federal and State courts, reports on
examinations of abstracts of title, and regulations and circulars issued by the
Commissioner of Indian Affairs. The records relate to the legality of deeds and
leases to allotted land, taxation of inherited land, and procedures governing
the removal of restrictions on the alienation of allotted land. There is some
correspondence pertaining to eligibility of individual Indians for land
allotments and payments. It appears that these records were maintained in the
Restrictions Division for reference and many of the documents have notes to or
from Dana Kelsey, Superintendent of the agency.
A-13-10-4
1908-1949. 5 ft.
Arranged by an alpha-numeric code. The file guide and many of the files are
still in the custody of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. A list of file titles is
in box 1.
Correspondence, schedules of sales, leases, copies of deeds, printed plat maps,
rental notices and receipts for payments, and copies of documents filed in
proceedings in Federal and State courts. The correspondence relates to the sale
and leasing of allotted and unallotted land and lots in townsites. It appears
that these records were consolidated from various offices within the agency by
the Indian Land and Money Division for reference.
A-13-10-6
n.d. 15 ft.
Arranged by tribe and thereunder by enrollment number (with numerous gaps).
A record made on 5 x 8 inch cards of allotments covered by restrictions imposed
by Congress or BIA regulations. The information given for each allottee
includes name, post office address, age, sex, Dawes enrollment number, degree
of Indian blood, and the legal description of the Surplus and Homestead
allotments. Some cards include the date of death and the names of heirs. The
cards may have been created in conjunction with an enrollment of living members
of the Five Civilized Tribes owning restricted individual allotted land as of
June 30, 1927 (see entry 367). (46695-46700).
A-13-10-5
1927. 4 in.
Arranged by tribe.
Printed forms annotated with information about "living members of the Five
Civilized Tribes owning restricted individual allotted land, June 30,
1927." The forms were completed by field clerks or field examiners and
contain the Indian's name, enrollment number, tribe, degree of Indian blood,
age, sex, occupation, marital status, a description of the land owned and
improvements on the land, information about the Indian's health and ability to
read and write English, and an opinion about the individual's competency It
appears that the forms were used to determine eligibility for tax exemption
certificates (see entries 370, 371, 624,
636, and 646). (from 69968).
A-13-10-4
1930. 1 in.
Arranged chronologically by date of compilation.
Carbon copies of lists of leases and lists of deceased allottees. The lists of
leases contain the allottee's name, the legal description of the land leased,
the terms of the lease, and some information about productivity and royalty
payments. The lists of deceased allottees contain the allottee's name,
enrollment number, the legal description of the allotted land, and the names of
the heirs. It appears that the lists were prepared in response to a request
from U.S. Senator Elmer Thomas for information about the status of homestead allotments
of restricted Indians.
A-13-10-5
1951-1957. 2 ft.
Arranged by subject in accordance with the BIA's decimal classification system
(see Appendix V).
Correspondence, circulars, instructions, narrative and statistical reports, and
copies of minutes of meetings of various tribal groups and councils. The bulk
of the Correspondence is between the Realty Officer and field employees,
officials of the BIA in Washington, D.C., and the general public and relates
primarily to land sales, leases, eligibility of persons for benefits based on
degree of Indian blood, and applications for removal of restrictions. There are
some minutes of Cherokee, Seminole, Quapaw, and Mississippi Choctaw groups.
(from 455120-122).
A-13-10-5
1928-1941. 3 in.
Arranged chronologically.
Copies of correspondence between the Commissioner of Indian Affairs and the
Superintendent of the agency, copies of regulations, narrative reports of the
Superintendent and field employees, and lists of cancelled exemptions. The
records relate to the issuance or cancellation of certificates of tax exemption
for allotted land under an act of Congress of May 10, 1928. (from 416387).
A-13-10-5
1928. 4 ft.
Arranged by tribe and thereunder alphabetically by the surname of the
allottee's heir.
A record prepared on 5 x 8 inch cards (form 2-503) of tax exemptions on
inherited land granted to "non-enrolled" Indians under an act of
Congress of May 10, 1928. The information given for each individual includes
tribe, post office address, age, father's name and enrollment number, mother's
name and enrollment number, the name of the deceased allottee, the number of
acres claimed, and an inheritance certificate number. (from 46701-2).
A-13-10-4
1905-1934. 7 ft.
Arranged by Township and thereunder by Range.
Correspondence, surveys, deeds, maps, and other documents relating to requests
to designate allotted land for special purposes. There is some correspondence
relating to the disposal of land that was not used for the requested purpose.
A-6-88-1
1921-1940. 38 items.
Arranged by type of map.
Published maps and some manuscript maps and linen tracings that show timber
land, coal lands, Red River oil lands, and tracts of land sold at auction. It
appears that the maps were maintained for reference by the Indian Land and
Money Division and its successors. (M1306-49, M345-351, and M700-715, 53A298
and 65A446)
B-35-2-3 and
B-35-13-1
Prior to allotment, each of the tribal governments allowed non-Indians to live and work within the tribal territory under a permit system that required the payment of fees and taxes. The Superintendent of the Union Agency was responsible for enforcing the rules established by the tribal governments and removing persons who were considered "intruders" by the tribal officials. The Curtis Act of 1898 authorized the appointment of Revenue Inspectors to collect many of the fees and taxes for the tribal governments under the supervision of the U.S. Indian Inspector for Indian Territory (see entries 519-540).
By 1900, there were more than three times as many non-Indians in Indian Territory as Indians and the Superintendent of the Union Agency complained frequently to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs about the difficulty of identifying and removing "intruders." In 1906, an Intruder Division was established within the agency to place allottees in possession of their land and investigate leases to determine if they had been obtained by fraud. The staff worked closely with the agency's Indian Police, officials of the county courts (after 1907), and the District Agents (after 1908). Most of the division's functions were transferred to the District Agents in 1909 and the division was abolished in 1915.
There are several rolls of "intruders" that were compiled by the tribal governments among the records described in entry 54. See also entries 411 and 412 of Preliminary Inventory 163 for records relating to "intruders" in the Cherokee Nation. See The Intruders: The Illegal Residents of the Cherokee Nation, 1866-1907, by Nancy Hope Cober (Ponca City, 1991).
1900-1901. 6 in.
Arranged chronologically.
Original letters received from officials of tribal governments, the U.S. Indian
Inspector for Indian Territory, and the general public relating to payment of
cattle taxes and permit fees, the operation of business without licenses, and
the removal of intruders. Many of the letters were written by the Principal
Chief of the Choctaw tribe. There are also copies of some letters from the
Commissioner of Indian Affairs written in 1904 providing instructions about the
removal of intruders and a few claims for payment of improvements built by
intruders.
A-13-12-l
March 20-April 13, 1900. 1 vol. 1 in.
Arranged chronologically by date sent. The volume includes an index to
addressees.
Press copies of printed form letters sent by the Union Agency to persons
requesting the removal of intruders and to persons who were delinquent in
paying taxes. The form letter advises the persons seeking removal of intruders
to bring action in the U.S. courts in Indian Territory.
A-13-12-1
n.d. 14 vols. 1 ft.
Arranged by tribe and thereunder alphabetically by the first letter of the
intruder's surname. An index to persons who were considered to be intruders by
the 'tribal governments who were involved in hearings held by the Union Agency.
The information provided is the intruder's name, the name of the allottee or
owner of the land in question, and the docket number of the case (see entry
377). Microfilmed as 7RA53.
A-13-12-2
n.d. 8 vols. 8 in.
Arranged by tribe and thereunder alphabetically by the first letter of the
surname.
An index to allottees seeking the removal of intruders from their allotments
that gives the allottee's name, the intruder's name, and the docket number of
the case (see entry 377).
A-13-12-1
1901-1909. 22 vols. 2 ft.
Arranged by tribe and thereunder numerically by docket number assigned
chronologically by the date the case was opened.
A record of papers filed and actions taken in hearings held by the Union Agency
on requests to remove intruders from allotted land. The information given
includes the case number, the names of the parties involved and their
attorneys, and a summary of each paper file and action taken by the
Superintendent of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Microfilmed as 7RA53.
A-13-12-1
1909. 36 pages.
Arranged numerically by docket number assigned chronologically by the date the
case was opened. There is an index to names of allottees or the owner of the
land in question.
A handwritten record of actions taken in cases relating to removal of intruders
by the District Agent in District 5. The information given for each case
includes the allottee's name, tribe, address, nearest town, the name of the
intruder, legal description of the land in question, the length of time the
intruder had been in possession of the land, the type of lease or contract
covering the use of the land, and a description of any improvements on the
land.
A-13-12-2
1900-1901. 1 vol. .2 in.
Arranged alphabetically by the first letter of the intruder's surname.
A record of persons identified by the Choctaw and Chickasaw tribal governments
as intruders that gives the intruder's name, nearest town, date and nature of
complaint against the intruder, date of notice to the intruder and date of
answer, and some remarks about actions taken. The complaints relate to failure
to pay permit and license fees and grazing cattle without paying taxes.
A-13-12-2
n.d. 9 pages.
Unarranged.
A typed list of "U.S. Citizens Living in Pickens County Chickasaw Nation
Unlawfully." The only information given is the person's name, place of
residence, and the charge made by the tribal government. The bulk of the
persons were charged with refusal to pay permit fees.
A-13-12-2
n.d. 18 pages.
Arranged by claim number or roll number. There is no index.
A typed schedule of persons considered to be intruders by the Cherokee tribal
government who filed claims for compensation for improvements under an act of
Congress of March 3, 1893 (27 Stat. 641) and lists of persons on the Wallace
Roll of Freedmen who were reported to the Union Agency as intruders by the
tribal government.
The schedule of persons claiming compensation provides each claimant's name,
the appraiser's report number and amount recommended, the amount claimed, and
the amount recommended by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. The lists of
Freedmen contain only the person's name and number from the Wallace Roll (see
entry 583 of Preliminary Inventory 163). (L3327).
A-13-12-2
1904. 1 vol. .5 in
Arranged numerically by a claim or payment number.
A record of improvements built by intruders in the Cherokee Nation that were
sold. The information given includes the name of the vendor and vendee, a description
of the improvements, their value, and the date of the sale. (L3297)
A-13-12-2
1895. 63 pages.
Arranged chronologically by date of payment.
Stubs of receipts issued by E. E. Starr, Treasurer of the Cherokee Nation for
payments to intruders for the appraised value of their improvements in
accordance with an act of Congress of March 3, 1891, and an act of the Cherokee
National Council of September 20, 1895. The information contained on the stub
includes the payee's name, the appraiser’s report number, the payee's number on
a payment roll which has not been located, the amount awarded, and the district
of the Cherokee Nation in which the improvements were located. There are a few
forms relating to persons who refused the payment. (from 69917)
A-13-12-2
When the Dawes Commission completed the task of allotting land to individual Indians, more than three million acres remained unallotted. This included small tracts of undesirable land and large areas in the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations that were withdrawn from allotment because of commercially valuable timber or deposits of coal and asphalt. Beginning in 1910, the unallotted land was sold at public auction under regulations issued by the Secretary of Interior (see Appendix XI for a list of sales). The bulk of the land was sold by 1916, but the status of the "Segregated Coal and Asphalt Land" was not resolved until 1948 when the Federal government bought the mineral rights. See entry 667 of Preliminary Inventory 163 for a description of records concerning the sale of Choctaw timber lands (1910-1914).
1908-1923. 6 in.
Arranged chronologically by date of sale.
Printed notices of the sale of unallotted land, allotted land, forfeited and
vacant town lots, surface of segregated land, and mineral rights on unallotted
land. The information given for each tract of land advertised for sale includes
the legal description, area, appraised value, physical description, and terms
of sale. The notices generally contain information about the dates and
locations of the auctions and the regulations governing the sale and payment.
Many of the notices have been annotated to indicate if the tract was sold and
the amount of the successful bid. Copies of many of these notices are among the
records described in entry 386. (from 45554-6)
A-13-12-4
1910-1929. 26 vols. 5 ft.
Arranged in roughly chronological order by the date of approval of the
regulations that governed the sale and thereunder by the county in which the
land was located and thereunder by tract number. Each volume has a list of
contents.
A record of sales of tracts of unallotted land, timber, coal and asphalt miner
rights, town lots in townsite additions on segregated land, and the surface of
segregated coal and asphalt land. The information given for each tract includes
the name of the purchaser, legal description, purchase price, dates of payments,
amounts of interest paid, certificate of purchase number and date issued, and
patent number and date issued. There are numerous notations about the
cancellations of sales for non-payment. (L2022, L2026, L2027, L2025, L2024,
and L2028).
A-13-12-5
1910-1925. 6 ft.
Arranged by tribe and thereunder by county Beginning in 1915, the schedules and
lists are arranged chronologically by the date of the approval of the
regulations that governed the sale.
Original typed schedules of tracts of land sold at auction and accompanying
descriptive lists. The information about each tract contained in the schedules
includes tract number, the name of the successful bidder, area, price per acre,
total appraisement, and amount bid. The schedules have been annotated with the
certificate of purchase and deed numbers and remarks about subsequent
cancellations of sales. The "Descriptive Lists" are considered
exhibits to the schedules and give the legal description, area, and
appraisement of each tract offered for sale. There are a few schedules of
tracts of land along abandoned railroad right of way that were sold during the
1930's and 1940's and copies of printed notices of sale. (from 416388-392 and
416397-402).
A-13-14-2 and
A-13-14-4
1915-1925. 4 in.
Arranged chronologically.
Original letters received and copies of letters sent by the Superintendent of
the agency to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, field employees of the
agency, tribal officials, and prospective purchasers relating to the sale of
unallotted land, timber land, lots in townsites, and the surface of segregated
coal and asphalt land. There are some carbon copies of reports of tribal
representatives at auctions and officials of the Land Division of the agency.
There is also some correspondence relating to the sale of mineral rights and
delinquent payments. (from 416390).
A-13-14-3
1910-1914- 24 vols. 10 in.
Arranged by quarters of the fiscal year and thereunder numerically by tract
number.
A record of payments received for the purchase of unallotted land prepared on
printed forms ("Schedule and Vouchers for Sale of Unallotted Land of the
Five Civilized Tribes"). The information given for each payment includes
tract number, county in which the land was located, name of purchaser, and
amount paid. There are separate schedules for purchases made under the various
regulations issued by the Secretary of Interior and the bulk of these schedules
are marked "triplicate." (L1663).
A-13-14-2
1910-1914. 1 ft.
Arranged by county or Township in which the land was located.
Carbon copies of letters sent by the Dawes Commission to the Secretary of
Interior, District Agents, and purchasers of land relating primarily to the cancellation
of sales for failure to receive bids for the minimum appraised value of the
land. There are some letters relating to payments and delivery of deeds and a
few original certificates of purchase.
A-13-14-4
1922-1937. 4 in.
Arranged by subject.
Correspondence, copies of regulations, lists of tracts, narrative and
statistical reports, maps, newspaper clippings relating to the sale of land
containing timber. The bulk of the correspondence is between the Superintendent
of the agency and the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, tribal officials, and
potential buyers. There is some correspondence relating to the illegal cutting
of timber and the cancellation of sales. There is also a handwritten record of
bids received for timber lands offered for sale under regulations approved
January 11, 1912 and several maps annotated to show the locations of tracts of
timber. See also entry 386 for notices of sale and lists of tracts sold. (from
416404 and L3256). See entry 134A for records relating to the appraisal of
timber.
A-13-14-3
1915-1926. 2 in.
Arranged by site and thereunder chronologically.
Correspondence, copies of leases, and newspaper clippings relating to the sale
of leases of land reserved for the Mekusukey Mission and the Emahaka Academy
that were located in the Seminole Nation. The bulk of the correspondence is
between the Superintendent of the agency and the Commissioner of Indian
Affairs, tribal officials, newspaper editors, and potential buyers. There is
also some correspondence pertaining to the sale of the land and buildings.
(from 416390).
A-13-14-3
1902-1926. 37 vols. 3 ft.
Arranged by tribe and thereunder chronologically by date of payment.
Registers of payments received by the agency for town lots purchased in the
Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Cherokee Nations. The information given for each
payment includes amount and date made, name and address of person making the
payment, reason for the payment, lot and block number, town, a statement
number, and a reference to unidentified folios. (L2088 to L2118 and L1669).
A-16-86-1
1940-1947. 4 in.
Arranged chronologically.
Correspondence, schedules of lots sold, certificates of purchase, receipts for
payments, lists of original town lots, and other material relating to the sale
at public auction of vacant and unsold lots in Wilburton, Oklahoma. The bulk of
the correspondence is between the Superintendent of the agency and the
Commissioner of Indian Affairs, field employees of the agency, and potential
buyers. (from 416399)
A-13-14-3
1911-1925. 6 vols. 6 in.
There are separate volumes for each sale. Entries in each volume are arranged
numerically by certificate number assigned chronologically by date issued.
A record of certificates of purchase issued for unallotted land, timber, and
surface of segregated coal and asphalt land. The information given for each
certificate includes the tract number, date issued, and the buyer's name and
address. (from 405371).
A-13-14-4
1911-1947. 9 vols. 9 in.
There are separate volumes for each sale. Entries within each volume are
arranged numerically by certificate number assigned chronologically by date
issued.
A record of deeds or patents issued for unallotted land, timber, town lots in
townsites on segregated land, and the surface of segregated coal and asphalt
land. The information given for each deed includes county, tract number, date
issued, name and address of purchaser, and method and date of delivery. (from
405371)
A-13-14-4
More than 450,000 acres of land containing coal and asphalt deposits were segregated from allotment by an order of the Secretary of the Interior of March 24, 1903 in accordance with the "Supplemental Agreement" with the Choctaws and Chickasaws ratified by an act of Congress of July 1, 1902. (32 Stat. 641) Although the agreement authorized the sale of the land by public auction, no sales were made and the disposition of the surface and the minerals was a continuing source of controversy.
An act of Congress of February 19, 1912 (37 Stat. 67) authorized the appraisal and sale of the surface and any improvements. Several appraisals were prepared between 1912 and 1914 and contests over ownership of improvements were resolved. The bulk of the surface was sold at auctions held from 1914 to 1918. Some of the mineral rights were sold in 1918 and 1925 but the majority were not disposed of until 1948 when they were purchased by the Federal government. See entries 482 and 483 of Preliminary Inventory 163 for records relating to the appraisement of segregated land. See also "Triumph of Will: The Coal Strike of 1899-1903" (Spring, 1983) and "Cattle, Coal, and Indian Land (Spring, 1984) in The Chronicles of Oklahoma.
1904. 6 vols. 2 in.
Arranged by district.
Printed circulars issued by the U.S. Geological Survey of descriptions of
tracts of land segregated from allotment in McAlester, Wilburton-Stigler,
Howe-Poteau, McCurtain-Massey, Lehigh-Ardmore, and the Chickasaw Nation because
of coal or asphalt deposits. The descriptions were prepared by Joseph A. Taft of the Survey in accordance with a request from the Secretary of Interior dated
May 16, 1904. The circulars were printed and distributed to provide information
to persons considering submitting bids at the sale of unleased segregated land
that was to be held on October 3, 1904. Each circular contains a map of the
district annotated with the locations of coal and asphalt deposits and a
detailed topographical description of each tract. A tract book relating to the
sale is described in entry 482 of Preliminary Inventory
163.
A-13-14-4
1905. 3 IN.
Arranged numerically by a schedule number (with numerous gaps).
Handwritten copies of "Schedule of Improvements of Indian Citizens and
Freedmen on Segregated Coal and Asphalt Lands in the Choctaw and Chickasaw
Nations, Indian Territory as Appraised by Cyrus Beede, U.S. Indian Inspector
Under the Direction of the Department of Interior." The schedules were
prepared by Beede on printed forms in accordance with regulations issued by the
Secretary of Interior on July 3, 1903 (I.T.D. 5316-1903). The forms were signed
by Beede on March 24, 1905 and submitted to the Secretary of Interior. It
appears that they were returned for a re-examination that was done by Beede and
U.S. Indian Inspector J. George Wright in October, 1905. A separate schedule
was prepared for each person owning improvements and contains the owner's name
and enrollment number, address, location of improvements (Section, Township,
and Range), and the value of the improvements in the following categories:
buildings, wells, cisterns, cellars, orchards, and fences. (from 70215)
A-35-006
1908-1909. .5 in.
Arranged chronologically by date compiled and thereunder alphabetically by the
first letter of the claimant's name or numerically by a claim number.
Original supplemental rolls of "citizens and Freedmen of the Choctaw and
Chickasaw Nations" who claimed improvements located on segregated coal and
asphalt land. There are two copies of a roll prepared by J. George Wright under
instructions from the Secretary of Interior of March 3, 1908 and one copy of a
roll prepared by Wright under instructions of February 4, 1909. The information
given for each claimant includes name, enrollment number, address, location of
improvements (Section, Township, and Range), value of improvements, and remarks
about citizenship and ownership of improvements. The numbers assigned to the
claimants in these rolls often match the numbers assigned to the records
described in entry 399.
A-35 (case 1 drawer 9).
1908-1909. 4 ft.
Arranged numerically by case number (1-134). There is often more than one file
with the same number but they pertain to different people.
Correspondence,' transcripts of testimony, affidavits, inventories of
improvements, plat maps, and other records relating to claims to ownership of
improvements on segregated coal and asphalt lands. The bulk of the
correspondence is between the Commissioner to the Five Civilized Tribes, J.
George Wright, and claimants. The correspondence occasionally mentions the
appraisement made by Cyrus Beede that is described in entry 397. (from 70216).
A-13-14-5
1907-1914. 2 in.
Arranged chronologically.
Original letters received and copies of letters sent by the agency to the
Commissioner of Indian Affairs, the Dawes Commission, and owners or buyers of
improvements on segregated land. The letters relate to appraisements, ownership
disputes, and payments. There are a few copies of receipts and some documents
filed in or issued by county courts relating to guardianship of minors owning
improvements and estates that included improvements.
A-3-14-4
1914. 1 ft.
Arranged by tribe and thereunder by county and thereunder by Surface or
Townsite Addition and thereunder by Township.
Duplicate and some triplicate copies of schedules and supplemental schedules of
appraisements of land and improvements that were prepared on printed forms in
accordance with an act of Congress of February 19, 1912 (37 Stat. 67). The
schedules for additions to townsites on segregated land give the lot number,
area, character of improvements, value of land and improvements, total value,
and sometimes remarks about ownership. The schedules for the Surface give tract
number, location, area, classification (agricultural or grazing), type of
improvements, amount and value of timber, value of the land, value of the
improvements, total value, and remarks about the amount of land under
cultivation. Many of the schedules have been annotated to show tracts reserved
for coal mining companies or sold. The schedules and supplemental schedules
have been certified and signed by the appraisers and approved by the Secretary
of Interior or his representative. The original copy of the schedules is among
the records described in entry 483 of Preliminary Inventory
163. (2-5-37)
A-35-6-3
n.d. 2 in.
Arranged by county.
Typed lists of tracts of segregated land appraised for sale in Haskell,
Latimer, Leflore, and Pittsburg counties. The information given for each tract
includes the number, area, classification (agricultural or grazing), a
description of any improvements and their value, the number of acres in
cultivation, and the total value of the tract. It appears that these lists were
based on the schedules described in entry 401 although the value of
improvements and total value often differ.
A-13-14-4
n.d. 5 in.
Arranged by county.
Typed descriptions of the general character and topography of forty acre tracts
of segregated land. The descriptions contain detailed information about
geological features and vegetation and were compiled to provide prospective
buyers with additional information about the tracts listed in the schedules
described in entry 401.
A-13-14-4
n.d. 4 in.
Arranged by county and thereunder alphabetically by claimant's surname.
Typed lists of persons who claimed ownership under an act of Congress of August
24, 1912, of improvements located on segregated land. There are separate lists
for improvements on the surface and on lots in townsite additions. The
information given for each claimant includes name, address, and lot or tract
number. There is a consolidated list of claimants arranged alphabetically by
surname and another consolidated list arranged numerically by application
number.
A-13-14-4
1912-1915. 1 vol. 18 pages.
Arranged numerically by case number (1-18) assigned chronologically by the date
the case was opened.
A handwritten record of actions taken in contests over ownership of
improvements on segregated land under an act of Congress of August 24, 1912
(see entry 405A). The information given for each case includes the names of the
parties and their attorneys, location of the land, description of the
improvements, and a summary of the actions taken.
A-13-14-4
1912-1915. 2 ft.
Arranged numerically (1-18) by case number.
Correspondence, transcripts of testimony, affidavits, copies of the decision of
the Commissioner to the FCT and other documents relating to contests over
ownership of improvements located on segregated coal and asphalt land.
A-13-14-4
1914. 7 vols. 7 in.
Arranged chronologically. Each volume contains an index to addressees.
Press copies of printed form letters sent to persons claiming ownership of
improvements located on segregated land. The form letter advises the claimant
that they can sell the improvements or purchase the land and includes a
description of the improvements and their appraised value.
A-13-14-4
1918. 2 in.
Arranged by company.
Typed lists of appraisements of tracts of segregated land reserved for mining
purposes by coal companies under an act of Congress of February 18, 1918. The
appraisements were authorized by the Secretary of Interior on August 28, 1918,
and were completed on October 31, 1918. The information given for each tract
includes a description of any improvements, area, value of the land, value of
improvements, and total value.
A-13-14-4
1918. 1 in.
Arranged by district.
Carbon copies of typed schedules of appraisements of leased and unleased
segregated land prepared under regulations approved by the Secretary of
Interior on May 28, 1918. The schedule includes a general description of the
district, a summary of mining operations, and the area and appraised value of
each tract. The schedules were certified by the three appraisers who compiled
them and approved by the Assistant Secretary of Interior.
A-13-14-4
1912-1946. 4 in.
Arranged by subject.
Copies of regulations governing sales and leases; statistical reports on
production and sales; narrative reports of the Land Division; original
schedules of a 1918 sale that was disapproved by the Secretary of Interior;
reports and correspondence of J. J. Rutledge, Mining Engineer of the Bureau of
Mines; printed transcripts of Congressional hearings on sales held in 1918,
1942-43, and 1945-46; and correspondence between the agency and the
Commissioner of Indian Affairs relating to sales of segregated land. The
statistical production and sales reports cover the period from 1898 to 1940.
These records appear to have been maintained in the office of the Chief of the
Land Division.
A-13-14-5
1908-1910. 4 ft.
Arranged alphabetically by surname of payee.
A record prepared on 3 x 5 inch cards of what may be payments made to persons
involved with segregated land. The information contained on each card includes
the payee's name, town of residence, date and amount of payment, and an
unidentified number. (from 70070).
A-13-14-5
1909-1910. 8 vols. 1 in.
Arranged by quarters of the fiscal year.
Carbon copies (generally marked triplicate) of vouchers for payments received
by the agency for the purchase of improvements on segregated land. The
information given for each payment includes the name of the owner of the
improvements, an approved schedule number (see entry 401), date and amount of
payment, check number, and the person credited with the payment. (6-6-5)
A-13-14-5
n.d. 91 items.
Arranged by Range and Township.
Printed plat maps (form 67) that have been annotated to show townships
segregated from allotment because of coal and asphalt deposits and tracts of
vacant unallotted land. There are also some plat maps of townships in the
Seminole Nation that have been annotated to show land reserved for schools.
(from 69874).
A-13-14-4
1914-1918. 79 items.
Arranged in two segments (surface land and townsite additions) and thereunder
by county or district.
Blueprint maps of townships and districts containing segregated coal and
asphalt land or additions to townsites located on segregated land. The size and
scale of the maps varies but each map generally includes the locations of
rivers and railroads and the boundaries of tracts segregated from allotment.
There are some annotations about the sale or lease of tracts. See Appendix XIII
for a list of townsite additions on segregated land.
A-35-6-6
The agreements negotiated with the tribal governments and Congressional legislation that governed allotment provided for the inalienability of allotted land for various periods of time depending on the type of allotment and the allottee's degree of Indian blood. In response to intense pressure by Indians and non-Indians, Congress passed several laws that removed restrictions on the sale of allotted land for various categories of allottees and authorized the Secretary of Interior to grant the removal of restrictions in response to applications by individuals.
In 1906, a Restrictions Division was established within the Union Agency that processed thousands of applications. The Land Division supervised the sale of the allotted land and the proceeds where generally held in a trust account if the removal of restrictions was "conditional." In 1916, several Competency Commissions were established that operated periodically until 1928 and removed restrictions from allottees independently of the Restrictions Division which was merged with the Individual Indian Money Division in 1926.
By 1935, restrictions had been removed from more then 1.5 million acres of allotted land and much of the land allotted by the Dawes Commission was no longer in the possession of the original allottees. See entry 384 for notices of sale of allotted land and entries 484 and 924 of Preliminary Inventory 163 for records relating to removal of restrictions and land sales.
The Creek Supplemental Agreement that was ratified by an act of Congress of June 30, 1902 (32 Stat 500) provided for the removal of restrictions on the sale of land allotted as "Surplus." Individual Creeks were required to submit petitions to the Superintendent of the Union Agency under regulations issued by the Secretary of Interior on July 10, 1903. The land was appraised and advertised for sale by sealed bids with the proceeds being paid to the Creek allottee. Beginning in 1904, the proceeds of the sales were retained by the Union Agency and distributed to the allottee in monthly installments.
n.d. 2 in.
Arranged alphabetically by applicant's surname.
An index prepared on 3 x 5 inch slips of paper to persons submitting petitions
to sell allotted land. The information given includes the petitioner's name,
enrollment number, degree of Indian blood, the legal description and area of
the land to be sold, and the date of approval. (from 70071)
A-13-14-5 (in same box as E.410)
n.d. 1 vol. 1 in.
Arranged alphabetically by surname.
A handwritten index to persons submitting petitions under the regulations of
July 10, 1903 that gives only the petitioner's name and petition number.
(L3842).
A-13-14-6
1903-1904. 4 vols. 3 in.
Arranged numerically by petition number (1-1479) assigned chronologically by
date of receipt.
A record of actions taken on petitions for the sale of allotted land that gives
the allottee's name, petition number, date received, the legal description of
the land, date listed for sale, and date of bid opening. (L3257, L3250, from
69111)
A-13-14-6
1906. 8 in.
Arranged in rough chronological order by date of petition.
Original signed petitions submitted on a printed form requesting authority to
sell allotted land. The information contained in the petition includes the
allottee's name and enrollment number, legal description of the land, area,
date of deed, description of improvements, appraised value of improvements, and
the reason for wanting to sell. The petition often includes a certificate of
enrollment (form 180) issued by the Dawes Commission and a summary prepared on
a standard form (183) of the information contained in the Commission's
allotment records.
A-13-14-6
1903-1906. 2 vols. 4 in.
Arranged numerically by petition number (1-1978) assigned chronologically by
date of receipt.
The information given for each sale includes the allottee's name and enrollment
number, degree of Indian blood, the legal description and area of the land,
date of bid opening, the names of the bidders and the amount they bid, and
remarks about actions taken. The volumes have been microfilmed as 7RA-323,
rolls 1-2. (82-6-14 and 69111, and 82-6-15)
A-13-14-6
1902-1907. 1 vol. 4 in.
Arranged numerically by deed number assigned chronologically by date issued.
The information given for each deed includes the grantor's name and enrollment
number, grantee's name, legal description and area of the land, amount paid,
date of delivery of the deed, and date of delivery of the check to the grantor.
(B1003)
A-13-14-6
1902-1906. 6 in.
Arranged numerically by certificate number assigned chronologically by date
issued.
Certificates of appraisement prepared on a printed form (42 and unnumbered).
Creek allottees were permitted to sell any improvements they had constructed on
land they controlled that was in excess of the amount they were entitled to as
an allotment. The information given in the certificate includes the allottees
name, legal description of the land, a description of the improvements, and the
appraised value.
A-13-14-7
An act of Congress of April 21, 1904 (33 Stat 189) removed all restrictions from land allotted as "Surplus" to "adult Whites and Negroes" and authorized the Secretary of Interior to approve applications for removal of restrictions from individual allottees. By 1907, more than 6,000 applications were approved.
1905-1907. 1 vol. 1 in.
Arranged chronologically with an index to "Grantors."
Press copies of letters sent by the Union Agency relating to the sale of land
allotted to Creeks. The letters include information about the competency of
individual allottees and the appraised value of the land to be sold.
A-13-14-6
1904-1906. 1 vol. 1 in.
Arranged in rough chronological order by date of receipt of the application.
A record of applications filed for removal of restrictions that gives the
applicant's name and enrollment number, address, date received, and sometimes
remarks about actions taken. (from 69111).
A-13-14-7
1904-1911. 101 ft.
Arranged numerically by application number assigned chronologically by date of
receipt.
Original petitions submitted by allottees or their heirs, transcripts of
testimony, correspondence between the agency and the applicants or their
attorneys, and copies of the agency's recommendations to the Secretary of
Interior. The information contained in the petition includes the applicant's
name, age, education, business experience, property owned, description of the land
to be sold, and the reason for wanting to sell. See entry 484 of Preliminary
Inventory 163 for records relating to applications for removal of restrictions
from Cherokee allotments.
A-13-14-7
An act of Congress of April 26, 1906 (34 Stat 137) provided for the removal of restrictions from land inherited by the heirs of original allottees. The act authorized the Superintendent of the Union Agency to advertise the land for sale by closed bids and distribute the proceeds to the legitimate heirs.
1907-1910. 2 in.
Arranged alphabetically.
An index prepared on 3 x 5 inch slips of paper that contain the allottee's
name, tribe, degree of Indian blood, enrollment number, legal description and
area of the land to be sold, and the date of approval of the deed for the land.
(from 70074).
A-13-20-3
n.d. 2 vols. 1 in.
There is one volume for Creek petitions and one for Cherokee.
The only information given is the petitioner's name and the petition number.
(from 405375=38+28).
A-13-20-3
1906-1908. 3 vols. 9 in.
There are separate volumes for Cherokees, Creeks, and Choctaw- Chickasaw.
Entries within each volume are arranged numerically by petition number assigned
chronologically by date received.
A record of actions taken on petitions to sell inherited allotted land that
gives the deceased allottee's name and enrollment number, the names of the
petitioners and their enrollment numbers (if any), their relationship to the
deceased, the legal description and area of the land, names of bidders and
amounts bid, appraised value, and the date of the bid opening. (L2771=Cherokee,
L2772=Choc-Chic, L2773=Creek).
A-3-20-4
1908-1913. 1 vol. 1 in.
Arranged numerically by petition number assigned chronologically by date
received. The volume contains an index to deceased allottees.
A record maintained by the District Agent at Checotah of actions taken on
petitions to sell inherited land. The information given for each petition
includes the deceased allottee's name and enrollment number, date of death, the
names and ages of the heirs, grantee, names of attorneys involved, legal
description of the land to be sold, and a chronological summary of actions
taken. (L3227).
A-3-20-3
1907-1908. 14 ft.
Arranged alphabetically by the surname of the deceased allottee.
Petitions for authority to sell, affidavits, certificates of allotment, plat
maps, and correspondence between the Dawes Commission and the petitioners. The
petitions relate to the removal of restrictions on inherited land for sale or
the establishment of townsites and contain the deceased allottee's name and
enrollment number, name of heirs, legal description and area of the land, its
estimated value, and the reason for wanting to sell. The majority of the
petitions were disapproved.
A-13-20-5
1907-1909. 4 vols 1 in.
There are separate volumes for Creeks, Seminoles, Cherokees, and
Choctaw-Chickasaw. Entries within each volume are arranged numerically by deed
number assigned chronologically by date issued.
A record that gives the deceased allottee's name and enrollment number, the
name of the grantee and grantor, legal description of the land, purchase price,
and the dates and amounts of payments. Very few deeds are recorded in these
volumes. (L2465 and L2466)
A-3-20-4
1908-1916. 11 vols. 3 ft.
Arranged numerically by account number (1-9903) assigned chronologically by the
date the account was established.
A record of the collection and distribution of funds from transactions related
to the sale of inherited allotted land. There is a separate page for each
account that contains the name of the person for whom the account was
established, account number, name and location of the bank holding the funds,
and a chronological record of each transaction. There are some references to
the volumes described in entry 429. (12167 to L2177).
A-13-20-4
An act of Congress of May 27, 1908 (35 Stat 312), removed all restrictions from Whites, Freedmen, and mixed-bloods of less than one-half Indian blood and provided that mixed-bloods of more than one-half but less than three-quarters Indian blood could sell land allotted as "Surplus" but not land allotted as "Homestead." All land allotted to mixed-bloods of more than three-quarters Indian blood remained restricted but the Secretary of Interior was authorized to remove those restrictions either conditionally or unconditionally.
1908-1921. 19 vols. 2 ft.
Arranged by district and thereunder numerically by application number assigned
chronologically by date received. Some of the dockets include an index to
applicants.
A record of actions taken on applications for removal of restrictions that
includes the applicant's name, enrollment number, degree of Indian blood, date
of application, legal description of the land to be sold, and actions taken.
These dockets were maintained by the various District Agents and the
application numbers in these volumes do not match the numbers used in the
records described in entry 433. (L3104 from 416351 and L3265 from 113080).
A-13-20-5
1908-1927. 40 vols. 7 ft.
Arranged numerically by application number (1-26,524) assigned chronologically
by date received.
A record of actions taken on applications for removal of restrictions that
includes the applicant's name, enrollment number, tribe, degree of Indian
blood, address, legal description of the land to be sold, date petition was
filed, date approved, and date of sale. The application numbers match the
numbers used in the records described in entry 433.
A-13-20-6
1908-1952. 383 ft.
Arranged numerically by application number (1-34,604) assigned chronologically
by date received.
Original applications, reports of field employees, appraisals, summaries of
title searches, orders for the removal of restrictions, correspondence, and
various forms relating to the collection and distribution of the proceeds of
sales and payment of taxes. The correspondence is between the agency and the
Commissioner of Indian Affairs, field employees, applicants, and persons
interested in buying the restricted land. The reports of the field employees
include information about the applicant's education, financial status, business
experience, and a recommendation on action to be taken on the application.
(from 357785-826 and 7KR-75-84-003A).
A-13-22-1 and
A-28-86-2
1914-1930. 8 in.
Arranged in rough chronological order.
Application for removal of restrictions, orders for removal, plat maps,
photographs, receipts for payments, and correspondence relating to an
application by Daniel Hays for removal of restrictions from a portion of his
allotment for an addition to the townsite of Ada. The correspondence is between
the agency and the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, field employees, and persons
interested in purchasing lots. A portion of the addition was designated for
construction of a college. The correspondence relates to the application, sale
of lots, mortgages, title, and payments by purchasers of lots. (46602)
A-14-102-7
n.d. 1 vol. and 1 folder 3 in.
Arranged alphabetically by the first letter and first vowel of the applicant's
surname. One volume covers volumes 1-17 and the other volumes 18-28 of the
records described in entry 436.
An index to the records described in entry 436. These records have been microfilmed as 7RA0297. (416351 and 17-5-80)
A-14-104-1
1908-1913. 11 vols. 2 ft. Arranged in rough chronological order by
the date the order was filed. Volumes 1-17 are in the custody of the Oklahoma
Historical Society. Printed forms (540) issued by the Secretary of Interior
removing restrictions from allotted land under the act of May 27, 1908. The
information contained in the order includes the applicant's name, tribe,
enrollment number, degree of Indian blood, and the legal description of the
land. See also entry 924 of Preliminary Inventory
163. (112913-916).
A-14-104-1
1908-1909. 4 ft.
Arranged numerically by certificate number assigned chronologically by date
issued.
Printed forms prepared by land appraisers and other field employees of the
Union Agency or land covered by applications for removal of restrictions. The
information given includes the allottee's name, legal description of the land,
a description of the land and any improvements, the value of the improvements,
and a "reasonable just price" for the land. The certificate number
matches the number assigned to the case files described in entry 440.
(70283-4).
A-14-104-3
1908-1920. 10 vols. 2 ft.
Arranged numerically by application number (1-12, 400) assigned chronologically
by date received.
A record of actions taken on approved applications for removal of restrictions
that includes the applicant's name, tribe, enrollment number, legal description
of the land, appraised value, date advertised, and date of execution of deed.
(45520-24).
A-14-104-2
1908-1909. 4 vols. 8 in.
There are separate volume for Choctaws, Creeks, Chickasaws, and Cherokees.
Entries within each volume are arranged numerically by application number
assigned chronologically by date received. Each volume contains an index.
A record of actions taken to sell restricted land that gives the applicant's
name, age, enrollment number, degree of Indian blood, type of allotment
(Surplus or Homestead), legal description, area, date application was forwarded
to the Secretary of Interior, date returned and action taken, date land was
advertised for sale, and date of sale. (L2343=Choctaw, L2344=Creek,
L2345=Chickasaw, L2346=Cherokee).
A-14-104-5
1909-1912. 1 vol. 1 in.
Arranged by type of land and thereunder by application number. The volume
includes an index.
A record of actions taken that includes the applicant's name, date application
was received, date forwarded for approval, and date returned and action taken.
The information given for inherited land includes the name of the deceased
allottee, names of heirs, and actions taken. The information given for leased
land includes the name of the lessee and lessor and actions taken. (69912).
A-14-104-5
1903-1942. 23 ft.
Arranged in two segments and thereunder alphabetically by allottee's surname.
Two sets of printed 5 x 8 inch cards (form 384A) that have been annotated with
a record of payments made by persons who purchased restricted land from
allottees or their heirs. The information given includes the allottee's name,
tribe, enrollment number, degree of Indian blood, date of birth, address, sale
number, purchaser, amount bid, dates and amounts of payments, receipt numbers,
and the date the funds were credited to the allottee's account. One set of
cards only covers the period from 1910 to 1920 and appears to be duplicated in
the second set of cards that covers the period from 1903 to 1942. (455156-162
and 69875-79).
A-14-104-5
1909-1911. 9 vols. 6 in.
Arranged by fiscal year and thereunder quarter.
A record prepared on printed forms of money received by the agency from the
sale of inherited or allotted land that gives the sale number, names of grantor
and grantee, amounts received and deposited, and beginning and ending account
balances. (6-6-3)
A-14-104-3
1955-1965. 5 ft.
Arranged numerically by application number (1-546) assigned chronologically by
date received.
Original applications, reports and recommendations of field employees,
correspondence, plat maps annotated with the location of the tracts covered by
the application, and copies of orders removing restrictions on the sale of
allotted land under the 1955 act (69 Stat. 666). The bulk of the correspondence
is between the Area Director in Muskogee and the Commissioner of Indian
Affairs, field employees of the Area Office, and applicants or their
representatives and relates to actions taken on the application, the appraisal
and sale of the land, and the collection and distribution of the proceeds of
the sale. (7KR-75-84-003C)
A-28-86-7
Go to: Introduction ... Table of Contents ... Appendix I-VIII ... Alphabetical index (A-I)
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