Oklahoma's Poor Rich Indians: An Orgy of Graft and Exploitation of the Five Civilized Tribes, Legalized Robbery

As a result of a careful, first-hand investigation of Indian conditions in Eastern Oklahoma by the undersigned, it is found––

That because Congress, by the Act of May 27, 1908, took from the Interior Department all jurisdiction over Indian probate matters in Eastern Oklahoma and transferred it to the local county courts, the estates of the members of the Five Civilized Tribes are being, and have been, shamelessly and openly robbed in a scientific and ruthless manner. 

That all efforts by the Department of the Interior to have the County Courts follow follow rules of procedure that would afford a measure of protection to the Indians have failed. The rules promulgated by the State Supreme Court in 1914 were soon weakened, and then were annulled on July 10, 1923, by action of the Oklahoma State Supreme Court, leaving each County Court a law unto itself.

That in many of the Counties the Indians are virtually at the mercy of groups that include the county judges, guardians, attroneys, bankers, merchants––not even overlooking the undertaker––all regarding the Indian estates as legimate game. . . .