Hoping that the incoming administration would take favorable
action permitting civilized Indian tribes to lease their surplus
lands, we returned to our homes. The Cherokee Strip Cattle
Association had been temporarily organized some time previous,—not
being chartered, however, until March, 1883,—and was the proposed
lessee of the Outlet in which our beef ranch lay. The organization
was a local one, created for the purpose of removing all friction
between the Cherokees and the individual holders of cattle in the
Strip. The officers and directors of the association were all
practical cattlemen, owners of herds and ranges in the Outlet,
paying the same rental as others into the general treasury of the
organization. Major Hunter was well acquainted with the officers,
and volunteere
