The Mississippi Choctaw were imported into Mississippi in 1902 and 1903 by land companies, among which was the Choctaw Investment Company, now defunct, and J. E. Arnold. They were herded in barracks around Ardmore and other places during 1902, 1903, and 1904: the small pox broke out among them and they died like sheep. Before they left Mississippi, contracts were made with them in which they agreed to prove up on their lands and sell them to the promoters.
The stockholders of the Choctaw Investment Company and other non-residents furnished the money and have stood the loss, but J. E. Arnold and Senator Owen are now pressing before the Court of Claims large amounts for allowances. To secure these claims if allowed J. E. Arnold has filed a lien upon almost every allotment of Mississippi Choctaw in these two nations. Congress has recognized these claims by permitting them to be litigated. 1
Lorraine was kind enough to furnish the 2 papers he has of her great, great, great grandmother from 1919, that she signed in Pottsville, Texas.
Citations:
- Morehead, Warren King. <cite>The American Indian in the US</cite>, 1850-1914.[↩]