Barbara, The Cherokee won their lawsuit. Their claim was based on land that was under the river when the allotments were made. When the river moved, the uncovered land had not been allotted. Their claim also included mineral rights to the land under the river, so the U.S. is still calculating the value of all that sand that has been mined from Indian Territory. This doesn't have a lot to do with genealogy, but it does give us a clue to why there's been so much confusion over what is "Indian Territory." Chuck Miles -----Original Message----- From: OKIEDAND@aol.com <OKIEDAND@aol.com> To: Indian-Territory-Roots-L@rootsweb.com <Indian-Territory-Roots-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Sunday, March 07, 1999 9:40 AM Subject: Re: Fort Smith, AR >As I am from the Ft Smith Area I am very interested in what you find out. I >myself have never heard of Ft Smith being a part of the Ok/IT. I have always >heard it was an outpost for the Indians as they were crossing over in OK. If >you are from that area you know that The River separates the AR/ OK border. It >is right on the banks of the river were Judge Parker "The hanging Judge" court >was at. As you cross the Garrison Ave Bridge going That crosses the River the >state line in about the center of the Bridge which would be the center of the >river. So there is a very thin line between AR/OK. I remember back about 10 >maybe 15 years ago the Indians clamed that the banks on the AR side was there >land & wanted to be paid for it. Never heard how that come out. >Your Mothers Maiden name was Taylor? My maiden name was Taylor. I am >researching the Taylors in AR. Trying to find info on my Great-grandfather >Marshal Taylor. >Be sure & post what you find out. And good luck. >Barbara >