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Show CXVI REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. The special agent found that bat seventy-six persons were duly enti-tled to enrollment as Pottawatomie Indiana of Hnrou. He divided their money into per capita shares of $249.97, and paid them during August, 1889. As these Indians are not now under the care of any regular agent the special agent, by direction of this oace, remained with them some time, counseling them and assisting them to invest this money so that it would be of permanent benefit to themselves and their children. He reported that he was very successful in this part of his work, nearly every dollar being expended either in the purchase of land or in making improvements on their homesteads, or in purchase of stock, farming impleuleuts, etc. The Prairie Band of Pottawatomies, who are locatedin Kansas, under the care of the agent of the Pottawatomie and Great Nemaha Agency there, concluded, after considering the matter in full council, that their money would do them more good if paid in three installments six months apart. As this was my own view, and as by reason of theirhav-ing a regular agent no expense for payment would be incurred, I com-plied with their wishes, and March 3,1890, one installment of $40,000 of their money was placed to the credit of the agent, with instructions to pay it to them under the rules above noted; a second payment will be made in afew weeks. As there are only about four hundred and sixty-five members of this band, they will each receive a little over $240, wbich will be of much help to them, as thex are reported to be careful of their money, and to spend it judiciously. The payment of the Citizen Band was a matter of considerable diffi-culty. They are not under a regular agent. Though nominally resid-ing in Kausas and Oklahoma Territory, numbers of them are scattered over the States and Territories, and owing to adoption of many whites into the band years ago and the intermarriage with whites and with persons of Indian blood other than Pottawatomie, it was very difficult to decide as to the claims of many who demanded enrollment, but who were objected to by the business committee and other leading men of the tribe. A special agent of much experience was directed, August 23,1889, to make a careful enrollment, and to assist him in the task he was fur-nished with a copy of the roll of 1863, prepared by Wolcott and Ross, which gives the names of those of the Pottawatomies who elected to become citizens and the location of the land allotted to each. He was also given a list of the Citizen Band prepared in 1887 by another special agent, and still another prepared by Agent Moses Neal, of Sao and Fox Agency, Ind. T., on which a per capita payment was made to tlie band during tlie second quarter of 1888. The special agent was instructed to enroll all who were living and properly entitled to enrollment on the 1st day of July, 1889, but that soqe bow after that date were $0 be included in the list. Every usare |
