Askew

The Askew, Hill, Rhoades, and Bennett families sought Choctaw Nation citizenship based on descent from Aaron Askew, a half-blood Choctaw from Alabama. Their applications, filed in 1896, were initially denied by the Dawes Commission but later upheld by U.S. courts in 1897 and 1898. Some members were admitted by tribal authorities, while others were denied by the Citizenship Court in 1904. Despite unchallenged evidence of Choctaw ancestry and established residence in Indian Territory before 1898, their enrollment was ultimately revoked. Legal counsel argued for reinstatement based on prior rulings and tribal recognition.