Page 722

REPORTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 
The appraisement work in the Creek, Cherokee, Choctaw, and 
Chickasaw nations being entirely completed, all town-site commissions 
were by order of the Department abolished on June 30, 1905. Mr. 
Hefley was allowed to continue on duty as town-site agent until July 
15, 1905, in order to prepare report as to the status of the work in 
that nation, in order that the same could be taken up intelligently and 
the unfinished matters disposed of by this office. 
During the fiscal year 1905 there were prepared and forwarded 
for the approval of the Department the schedules of 92 towns, in 
addition to the new schedules of the towns of Haileyville and Krebs, 
and a large number of supplemental schedules to correct errors, show- 
ing the disposition of lots in contests, etc. The commissions also 
conducted sales of vacant lots at a large number of towns, served 
notices of appraisement, and took testimony in a number of contest 
cases. 
The town-site appraisement work which commenced in 1899 has 
been completed. It has been a most difficult matter to segregate, 
define the limits, survey, plat, and establish streets and alleys in 
towns which were already built up, in most cases without any regard 
whatever for the future systematic laying out of the town site, and 
to satisfactorily adjust the claims of all persons to lots therein. A 
number of protests and complaints were unavoidable. This office 
has endeavored to complete this work as rapidly as was consistent 
with accuracy and with as little expense as possible. The Indian 
tribes have been represented on each commission, and it has been the 
aim to fix the appraisements and determine all claims in a manner 
just and equitable to the nation as well as to the individual lot 
claimants. Each step taken in the entire matter was considered 
and finally approved by the Secretary of the Interior. Photolitho- 
graphic copies of the approved plats of all towns, except certain 
small towns with a population less than 200, were made and are on 
sale with the United States Indian agent at prices ranging from 15 
cents to $1.50 each. As rkquired by law, one copy of each plat is 
officially filed with the clerk of the United States court of the judicial
district in which such town is located, one with the mayor of the 
town, one with the tribal executive of the nation in which the town 
is located, and one with the Commission to the Five Civilized Tribes. 
At each of the 300 towns the proper commission has prepared and 
submitted a schedule showing each and every lot with the appraised 
value thereof and the character and value of the improvements, 
where improved, together with the names of persons entitled to 
acquire such lots. These schedules have been submitted to the Depart- 
inent, and after approval the persons to whom lots are scheduled were 
served with a notice advising them as to the amount of appraisement 
and manner of making payment and in due time, if the payments 
are made as provided by law, patent is issued by the tribal executive. 
The amounts paid to the United States Indian agent as payments 
on town lots during the fiscal year 1905 amounting to $786,718.76, 
distributed among the different nations as follows: 
Creek Nation                                           $1[05, 579. 47 
Creek  ~ Nto--------------------------------------$105,-579.-4 
Cherokee Nation---------------------139, 389. 74 
Choctaw and Ch4ckasaw nations---------------------541, 749. 55 
Total       --------------------------------------- 786, 718. 76 
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