Final answer:
The federal government established a district court in Indian Territory during the Civil War to handle cases involving white criminals who escaped into the territory.
Step-by-step explanation:
The federal government established a district court in Indian Territory for the purpose of handling cases that involved white criminals who escaped into Indian Territory. During the Civil War, Indian Territory became a strategic area of control between the American South and West. The district court was established to maintain law and order in the region and ensure that criminals who fled into Indian Territory were brought to justice.