The car which the Dawes Commission will use from now on to the time they close the Choctaw census, was hitched on the Choctaw local east this morning and taken to Wister. From there it will be taken down the Frisco toGoodland, where it will remain until May 19th, by which time the commission expect to get through with the census at Alichi, Goodland and Antlers. This car is a combination coach and baggage, and the commission has stored in it all the necessary rolls and records and blanks used in taking the census. At most of the towns the commission will use their camp equipage, and abundance of which is stored in the car. They will have their own cook and camp outfit.

It is estimated that there are 15,000 Choctaws and with the exception of the month of July the commission will be in the field until Sept. 16th, closing with the census at South Canadian on that date.

In the car that went east this morning there were three clerks, two stenographers, one disbursing officer, one cook and one rustabout. Hon. Thomas B. NEEDLES came down this morning on the 9 o'clock train, and Capt. McKENNON is expected down tonight. These gentlemen will leave for Goodland tomorrow and from there they will go overland-to Alikchi.

The party in all numbered eight and the car will be set out at Goodland and the party proceed from there to Alikchi.

Mr. Tams BIXBY, the acting chairman of the Daws commission, will remain at Muskogee in charge of the land office, recently opened there for the Creek Indians to select and locate their allotments.__Capital of the 14th.

Washington, April 15, 1899.

EDITOR INDIAN CITIZEN:

The most of the act of the Choctaw Council passsed at the recent extra session - 15th to 20th March have been sent up were received and favorably acted upon by the department except one, and that was the one making expropriation of $2,750 to pay the expenses of the latter half of the current school term of the Atoka Baptist Academy. The disaproval that was recommended on the ground that the Secretary of the Interior, being charged with the disbursement of the school funds of the Choctaw Nation, must exercise discretion in paying school accounts and give direction how they shall be made, which invoices and includes the authority to make the contract for the schools. Regulations for conducting schools in the Indian Territory have been published and are now being distributed. I enclose a copy with this communication. In recommending the disapproval of the act above mentioned there is no purpose or desire of the department to close or discontinue or embarrass the schools; but on the contrary, immediately after the commendation for the disapproval of said act was made, and was written directing the Superintendent of Schools for the Indian Territory to go as soon as practicable to Atoka and make arrangements, if conditions are found satisfactory, for the continuance of the Academy under the new regime. The authority of the Board of Education of the choctaw Nation to make contracts for running schools in the Nation seems to be at an end. The orphan schools are about the only boarding schools which will be run from present appearances.

Full, genuine and dependent orphans are always, and should be held to be a public expense. All other children must take their chances in the neighborhood schools.

In addition to a Superintendent of Schools for the entire Indian Territory there is to be appointed a supervisor of schools for each one of the five tribes.

An appropriation of money was made by the last Congress to run the 98th meridian of west longitude (next two sentences are iledgible.) tent the dividing line between the Indian Territory and Oklahoma Territory.

The Secretary of the Interior has been requested to direct the appraisement and allotment of Choctaw and Chickasaw lands to begin as soon as practicable. There are more lands in the Choctaw and chickasaw Nations than in all of the rest of the Indian Territory put together, and yet there seems to be a desposition to leave it until the last. Their agreement was first made; its ratification is complete; the survey of their lands has been completed; the money to pay for the appraisement and allotment of the lands has been appropriated and yet nothing is being done. The rolll can be completed long before the appraisement of the lands can be made.

The General Land Office has been directed to ascertain the number of acres of Choctaw Orphan lands, yet unsold, in the State of Mississippi, so that an estimate can be made, under the Choctaw and Chickasaw agreement, for the proper amount of money to be appropriated and placed to the credit of the Choctaw orphan fund in the the United States Treasury.

Wednesday morning quite a number of fullblood Choctaws were in town en route to the session of the Choctaw Presbytery at Pigeon Roost. Among the number were Chas. BENJAMIN and wife, S. M. BENJAMIN of Kiowa; Edmond BILLY, David HOLLIS, and Martin CHARLESTON of Atoka County, I. T., and K. B. HARKINS.

Chas. Benjamin's wife many of our readers will remember. She is Josephine COLLINS who use to live Mrs. FLACK just before she died.

I have in my possession one sorrel mare about seven years old, with snip nose. Also one black yearling colt with the above mare; not brand on either. The mare is gentle and has on bell. She was either placed in or jumped in my pasture west of Atoka, Owner can get them by proving his property and paying for this notice. W. M. DUNN - Atoka I. T.

Antler, I. T. April 17. --The Choctaw Indian near Goodland, I. T., was arrested by the marshals and landed in jail at this place Saturday night. It is claimed by his friends that he is insane.

The Dawes commission was here Saturday, on their way to Goodland, I. T., and thence to Alikchi, where they will make a start taking the census of the Choctaw Indians.

S. DAMIE and family visited in Lehigh last Sunday.

Marshal Mike COLAN returned from Antlers on No. 2 Sunday.

Marshall BRADSHAW went up on No. 2 Saturday to visit his family.

We are indebted to Mrs. SUMMERVILLE for a sample of wedding cake.

Mrs. J. T. CLAPPER returned from a visit to friends in MuskogeeMonday morning on No. 1.

Mrs. J. D. FULTON and Grandmother, Posey, returned to South Canadian last Sunday afternoon.

Miss Lottie COLAN has sufficiently recovered from her recent illness to be able to be out and around.

The Presbyterian's have had a new plank walk made leading to their church. It is quite an improvement.

Mrs. Martha MOORE is still at boggy Depot with her mother, Mrs. HOUGE who continues very feeble in health.

Mrs. John MAHNKER has been visiting friends at Caddo and Durant recently. She returned home the early part of last week.

J. C. HUMPHREY, representing Bradstreets merchantile Agnecy of Dallas, Texas, was in Atoka on the 4th.

Freeman SPANN, who has been spending several weeks in Atoka, returned to South Canadian last Saturday.

Frank GARNER and family of Coalgate returned the latter part of last week from a trip to the Chickasaw nation.

Mrs. Carlie COBB of Boggy Depot, accompanied by Miss. Ada MAURER and Misses BUCKHOLTS, spent last Thursday in Atoka.

Mrs. Eula HUMPHREY and little son of Van Alstyne, Texas, are the guest of Mrs. Dr. FULTON, Mrs. Humphrey is Mrs. Fulton's oldest sister.

The families of J. D. LANKFORD, E. N. WRIGHT, and John MAHNKER arrived home Saturday last after afour day fish-nic and real rustling ?cating. They all enjoyed theselves and got tired of fine fish and fishing.

We are reliably informed that Attorney John LINEBAUGH displayed much tact, skill and professonal ability in handling the prosecution of Jim HALE at Antlers court last week. HALE and his attorney, ROGERS, took the ground of mistaken identity being the cause of his killing Ambrose SMITH. He and his attorney made rather a bad mess of their attempts at defense and the testimony that HALE gave was an aid to the prosecution. The jury brought in the verdict_"Murder in the first degree without caital punishment." Judge LINEAUGH'S talk to the jury is said to have been eloquent, pathetic, embracing and true facts, and it certainly got close to the jurors. HALE took the verdict pretty hard, but since it is only the just reward of his free, voluntary act and deed he will have to stnad to it. That he may become a better man, we do sincerely hope. (See last paragraph below.)

A bath towel, 56x18, for 10 cents at d. N. ROBB & CO.

Alex HAAS made a business trip to Lehigh last Monday.

Gov. BYRD was in town Wednesday enroute to Paris, Texas.

Mrs. COULAN moved Tuesday to the Charlie COBB residence.

The young folks participated in a moon light picnic Wednesday night.

Geor. D. MOULTON of Coalgate was in town the latter part of last week.

Our new draymen are Sam DOWNING, Gene BLOSSOMS, and Alfred JONES.

Mr. and Mrs. R. J. INGE spent Monday with friends and relatives at Boggy Depot.

Miss Maude WILKINS came over from Antlers last week and is the guest of Mrs. Bertha STANDLEY.

The families of Wm. HARRISON, John DOWNING, and Mrs. FRINZEL left the first of this week for a few days in the woods.

Mrs. Julius HAAS returned from her trip to Denison some days ago, and is much improved in health. Gus went down and returned with his mother.

There was quite a shower of rain last Monday night, and also another shower_of traveling men_at the Bates house.

Little Marie DAVIS is improving very much since she has been at Mr. FOY'S country home. She is very fond of her Uncle and Aunt and delights to stay with them.

Just received, and elegant line of new jewelry, consisting of plain and set rings, neck chains, lorgnets and silk guards, All cheap for cash. HODGES DRUG STORE.

The weather in this locality has been extremely unpleasant for this time of year, during the past ten days.

Effective March 18th, second class fare to San Francisco, Los Angeles and intermediate points, from Atoka only $32.50.

A new line of ladies hats, childrens hats, boys and babies caps, just received at my shop. NORA B. SMISER

John RENNE and A. L. STISON of Lehigh returned on the 14th from attending the I. O. O. F. Grand Lodge at Ardmore. This lodge will be held at Vinita next year.

Jimmie RICE is very ill with measels at his home in Lehigh. Not having fully recovered from his severe injuries sustained last summer, the measles and complications arising are very hard with him.

Dr. Laura DAVIS intends to leave for Kansas City about May the 1st. to be away two months. She will attend a course of lectures while away. "Tis a professionals duty to keep abreast with the times, and money is made and satisfaction given by those who do.

The residence of S. DAMIE, formerly owned by A. E. FOLSOM, is presenting quite a different appearance. Thrift and industry work wonderous changes. S. DAMIE deserves touch-commandation for his enterprise, and his manifested desire to put forth the best appearance on his property. Such spirits make and keep up a town. The improvements of his residence are far from completion, but we judge will add wonderfully to the attraction of the place.

The Katy Dining Service Managers have been very pressing in their efforts to secure Mr. and Mrs EWING as managers of their home in South McAlester. South McAlester has its inducements to speculators; but the charm of the law abiding temperances ald altogether good influences of our town are fully appreciated by such people as Mr. and Mrs. EWING, and they will not give up that which money cannot buy. Southtown with all its prosperity, enterprise and push, cannot get the traveling men's patronage which voluntarily make the accomodations of the Bates House.

Mrs. Sallie CLOWER has been on the sick list for several days.

Mrs. B. E. ROGERS and daughter Miss Bell were in town Tuesday.

Robt. HOGUE left Tuesday for Denison, Texas where he will visit his grandmother.

Mrs. MASTERS of Denison, Texas has been the guest of her daughter Mrs. SHELTON of this place.

T. L. CHISHOLM and family left the 4th for Caddo where they expect to make their home.

Mr. DAVIS, a young man from Savanna is for a time making his home with Mr. and Mrs. OFFICER.

Mother SMALLWOOD and Tom DILLON spend Wednesday with Mrs. W. B. RAY at her country home.

Elmo WILKINS and Walter ADAMS came down from South McAlester on No. 1 Wednesday.

Mrs. A. H. PHILLIPS is now able to be up and around again. She was out riding Tuesday afternoon.

The repairs on the old Post Office building, the property of J. S. MURROW, are about complete; and we know these rooms are the most desirable and plesant in town.

Miss Bell ROGERS will conduct the B. Y. P. U. services Sunday evening next. All are welcome to attend. Topic, How Christ makes use of common lives. The man with the pitcher. Mark, 14:12-16.

The new Masonic office built by J. S. MURROW and the repairs on the old office are about complete; and now in a few days Contractor HODNETT will begin the erection of the new residence of Mr. Mike COLAN upon the lot where his former residence was destroyed by fire.

Rev. and Mrs. J. S. MURROW have been on a several day trip in the Chickasaw nation. General missionary business was the main object of the trip; but Mrs. MURROW delivered to the Ardmore school and address upon the harmful use of narcotics. They returned home this week.

G. A. VanHALL, the leading druggist of Butler, MO., writes: "We are having splendid success with beggs "Blood Purifier and Blood Maker.' It is one of the best sellers we ever had, and gives satisfaction to all who have tried it. We take pleasure in recommending it. Jno. M. HODGES.

Gone to San Antonia; Mrs. D. C. BLOSSOM, Mr. and Mrs. G. A. COBB and son Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. J. D. LANKFORD, son J. D., Jr. and daughter Miss Lota. Miss Lota was accompaied by "Nora Bell," to whom she will show all the sights and charms of San Antonia. Mr. LANKFORD and family and Mrs. D. C.BLOSSOM are the guest of Dr. and Mrs. John LANKFORD, and all will take in the great events and have a jolly time.

Quite a number of our townsmen were temporially transplanted to Antlers during last week. They appreciate home after such a rural experience. J. T. CLAPPER, Murrow McBRIDE, W. A. McBRIDE, C. R. SMITH, Walter ADAMS, A. M. SURRELL, W. F. BRAIN, Commissioner RALLS, Ozie HADGES, Dr. McCLENDON and Attorney John LINEBAUGH were some of the Atokaites at Antlers. All were home by Sunday afternoon.

Mrs. SMISER has bee appointed notary public at Atoka. So far as we know she is the first woman to hold such a position in the Indian Territory.__Nowata Herald,

We would offer as a correction on the above that Miss MaudeMILLER stenographer and typewriter for Attorney RALLS Bros., was the first lady in Atoka commissioned as notary public. Miss MILLER is an expert business woman.

Norman OLIVER, who lived four miles west of Oconee, I. T., died of dropay on the 12 inst. at four o'clock. He has been a great sufferer for six months and more and no doubt death was a relief to him. Death ends our earthly cares, trials, and sorrows, and opens Eternity to us with all of its rest, peach and glory.