OCR Text |
Show and appreciate tho Indian13 point of view, public sentiment favors the elimination of the area only as a second choice measure, asuumii that it will be allottod to this small band of ^' iuto Indians. Publi 3ontimonl has boon strong for many yoar3 for the removal of those Indians, to some reservation whore they could be provided for and made amenable to the law of the land: While it is true that the white settlers of Blanding and Bluff have sufforod considerable from depredations committed by these Indians, it seems reasonably certain that the sentiment is largely an outgrowth of human selfishness. Several years ago an attempt was made by a I). S. Liarshal to ar/ est a number of this bandfor tho alleged murder of a Mexican. ' 2he attempt was unsuccessful and finally terminated in the government sending Oeneral Hugh L. Scott, late Chief of Staff of the U. S. Army to handlo th,. situation. General -> cott was successful in securing the person of the Indian charged with the crime, but in order to do so public opinion had it that he made certain promises of immunity to the Indians and gave them an assurance that the government would allow undisturbed in Allen Canyon. The examiner has no proof of this but what was promised is no doubt a matter of record in the >< ar Department or the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Repaated efforts have zs been made since that time to have the Indians forcibly removed to some reservation but without success. Tae recent trouble between the Indians and settlers of Blanding brought the matter toa head, with the result that the department of the Interior ha3 requested the elimination of the area covered in this report, with the exception of the fractional part of Section 5, Township 36 South, Range 21 iast. This area^ is addedfor the reason that it would be isolated from the ba^ lance of the Porest and is worthless for forest purposes in such a condition. If, as appears to be the case., it will be impossible for the government to remove the Indians to one of its established reservations, public sentiment is favorable to the elimination of the lands covered in this report and their allotment to the Indians, assuming that the Indians will be directed and supervised by a sub-agent who will curtail'their depradations and law breaking proclivitie 7he elimination of the area will be favorable to the adminstration of the Porest. The Allen Canyon Indian allotment as it has existed heretofore, has been somewhat of a stumbling block as forest officers huvo not known how to proceed in restricting the Indians agricultural and grazing activities to tho area allottod. The Indians have been notorious game- law breakers, which fact has afforded an ever present ppportunity for trouble with them, which might easily terminate in blood shed and possible loss of life. If the area is eliminated and allotted to the Indians, and they are • rovided for and made to observe the law, the result will be extremely desirable. Very Mttle of the area included in the elimination is being used' for- Porest purposes at present. Approximately two sections of the area are used for lambing purposes, but this use |