The Chickasaw

The general topography of the country is that of a rolling prairie in the west, more hilly and -wooded in the east. The country is well watered by the South Canadian, Washita, and Red rivers, with their numerous tributaries. In the extreme west the cattle industry still flourishes to a considerable extent, although the small farms are rapidly encroaching upon the cattle ranges. Innumerous river valleys and creek bottoms the agricultural resources of the country attain their highest development, though the uplands are capable of producing bountiful crops. In the central part of the nation a high range of hills, … Read more

The census of the Chickasaw Nation shows a total of 57,399. The nation was divided into 15 districts by highroads, rivers, and railroads. Panola County was divided into 2 districts and showed a total population of 2,879; Pickens county, or the state of Pickens, as it is called here, was divided into 8 districts and showed a population of 40,299; Pontotoc County was divided into 3 districts and showed a population of 9,135; Tishomingo County was divided into 9 districts and showed a population of 5,016. Mach difficulty was had in getting good men for the work. Almost the entire … Read more

Any citizen introducing whiskey or other spirituous liquors into the Chickasaw Nation is liable to a fine of $10 for the first offense and $40 for the second and succeeding offenses. Whiskey peddlers abound everywhere. Non-citizens are the introducers, as a rule. The commonest of poor whiskey readily sells for $2 a quart. The adjoining states have a large sale of whiskey it the Chickasaw Nation. The town of Gainesville, Texas, ships $50,000 worth of liquor into the nation every year. Drummers from St. Louis and Kansas City travel through the nation soliciting trade and taking orders for whiskey. Chickasaw … Read more

Noncitizens must reside in the Chickasaw Nation for a period of 2 years before they can procure a license to marry a citizen of the nation; must be of good moral character and industrious habits; must be recommended by at least 5 good and responsible citizens of the nation and of the county wherein they reside; pay a license fee of $50, and, finally, all must be approved by the county judge. Such marriage confers the right to citizenship and the right to select and improve lands. In case a citizen of the United States, having married a member of … Read more

The United States statutes and those of Arkansas are in force in the Chickasaw Nation for the government of the whites, non-citizens, and such Indians as are naturalized. The Chickasaw law provides that treason against the Chickasaw Nation is punishable by death. Treason shall consist of levying war against the nation, adhering to its enemies and giving them aid and comfort. Conviction requires the testimony of two witnesses to the overt act or confession in open court. Murder is punished by hanging. The government is authorized to offer a reward not exceeding $500 for any person charged with or convicted … Read more