OCR Text |
Show REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. XI^ '! It is apparent that, as there are now only 7,61Lf1ndians west of longi-tude 980, if these Indians were placed on the 3,684,305 acres of unoccu-pied lands east of that meridian, each Indian would have 483 acres, an area of land far ih excess of what he would need. But we also see from this table that there are west of 980, including Greer County, 13,740,229 acres, which would be sufficient to furnish homes of 100 acres each to 137,403 people; and supposing each settler to have five in his family, it would support a population of 687,010 souls. Add to this 'IN0 Man's Land," lying immediately west and adjoining, contain-ing 3,672,640 acres, and we see at once that there is territory enough in those tmo areas to found a State equal in size to many States of this Union. Another advantage of this arrangement would be that the Iu-diaus would be together in amore compact form, while the whites would be by themselves. When my last report was made the time and circumstances were au-spicious for the adoption of these anggeatioua, if Congress entertained them at all, for the reason that at that time the Indians west of 980, eupecially the Cheyennes and Arapahoes, had been severely ad- a monished by the Government, by a display of military force, that they would no longer be permitted to obstruct those of their tribe who de-sired to adopt the white man's way. To this admonition almost uni-versal heed was given, and a large number at once began to prepare for settling down and cultivating the soil. In consequence of this recent . change in their wishes and habits, very many houses have been erected. and a large acreage of sod broken and extensive crops cultivated. A year ago these Indians had less to attach them to their homes than they now have, and therefore their removal east would have been less distasteful then than now. Neverthelesn, as the distance is short and the lands to which they might be moved are much superior to those which they now occnpy, I doubt not that, by paying them for their improvements or by making similar improvements on their new homes, they would cheerfully obey the wish of Congress should that body conclude to remove them to Oklahoma or to some other fertile unoccupied lands east of 980. During the last twelve months these Indians have not only made rapid progress in farming, but also in a disposition to have their children educated, more than two-thirds of the Cheyenne and nearly all the Arapaho children having been eurolled in school. I am recently and reliably informed by a leading missionary and Indian educator that if sufficient buildings arefurnished, all of their children of school age will be at school in the course of another Sear. Great efforts have been made by these Indians, and far more has been accomplished in the last rear in the way of farming than ever before. At this time a general wish prevails among them for the construction of dwelling-honses. A11 these facts take11 into consideration, it become apparent that if it should be the desire of Congress to dispose of this section of the Indian Territory, it will be attended with embarrassment even now, and of course, as the Indians open and improve farms and |