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Show 24 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. Shoshone Reservation, Wyo.-The report of John W. Clark, dated July id 24,1897, shows that he had made to that date 1,310 allotments on the Shoshone Reservation. He has been succeeded by John T. Wertz, of Omaha, Nebr., and instructions have been issued for the guidance of the latter in this work. It appears that most of the Shoshones and Artpahoes occupying the reservation are willing to take allotments. The work will be pushed forward as rapidly as the surveys (which are being extended) will allow. OFF RESERVATIONS. Two special allotting agents have been at work in the field among nonreservation Indians during the last year, namely, James H. Ei~~nane, of Michigan, and Claude N. Bennett, of Georgia. Special Agent Einnane was assigned to duty in the States of Mini~e-sota and Wisconsin, where it was alleged applioations for lands had been made by Indians (principally mixed bloods) in order to obtain the timber and for speculative purposes rather than for agriculture or graz-ing. His investigations show that many applications were made for the purpose indicated, instigated usually by designing white men who purchased the timber upon the allotments for an insignificant sum. Such applications have been recommended for cancellation as far as reported upon, and steps have been taken to cooperate with the General Laud Office in the prosecution of the white men implicated. Agent Einnane found, however, that the Indians were ignorant of the law in the case and intended no wrong; also that some applications had been made in good faith and in strict compliance with the law and the reg-ulations of the Department relating to allotments. A11 the applioa-tions in said States have been suspended, pending their investigation, which it is hoped will be completed in the near future. Mr. Eiunane has been relieved of duty by Mr. Q. A. Keepers, of Beallsville, Ohio. It is the purpose of this offlce to continue the latter at allotment work among nonreservation Indians when he shall have finished the investigations referred to. Agent Bennett was assigned to certain sections of California to assist Indians to make applications for land and prepare the proof required; also to make allotments of the lands applied for, if they should be sub-ject to allotment and tbe Indians should be entitled thereto. In the vicinity of Port Bidwell, California, he made 165 allotments, besides furnishing, with respect to ceaain other applioations, information and additional proof needed before the allotments could be certified and transmitted to the Department for approval. June 5,1897, he forwarded to this offlce a brief general report upon I the condition of the Indians and their progress in the Susanville land district, California, from which the following is quoted: These allotments, a total of 765, vere mads in 1894 and previous to that year. And in reviewing the work, I foond, with lees than half n. dozen exceptions, every Indian on the lists that yousent me. In viev of the roving character of the Indian |