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Show watomies, Ind~anT erritory ; J. H. Minthorne, Warm Springs Agency, Oregon; James G. Hatchit, Yankton Agency, Dakota. Special Agent Edward Collins, having eompleted his duties at the Grande Bonde Agency in Oregon and submitted his final report, waa relievmd from duty July 13,1889. LANDS BOE NON-EESEBVATION INDIANS. :. . Daring the year numerous cases have been reported where white men have forcibly dispossessed non-reservation Indians of land8 long ,-. in their possession, and upon which they had made valuable improve- . . ments, cultivating the soil and supporting themselves withont aid from the Government. In a recent report (April 30,-l889), United Statea Indian Agent Gwydir, of the Colyille Agency,. said: I The whites am warming into th,, Territory-Wsahinytoxn-and every piern of good h d is hning tskon and tino Indians are b e i o ~dr lvno ott' and gotten rid of by fair or t . ' foul means, for in manv instances whites have taken foroible ~oaseasion. driving the Indians whenever the poor Indian refused'to be persuaded to leave the home where - his forefaihers have dwelt for generationa. He cited the case of oneIndian, Pa-ock-ahin; or Pierre, who, Gith hia family, had resided upon a certain tract of land fbr seventy-seyen years, npon which a white man appeared and, upon applioation, was allowed to enter the same nnder the homestead laws. This case was reported to the Department, with recommendation that the entry be canceled, ' and the Indian be allowed to make application to have the land allotted nnder the fourth section of the general allotment act. Under date of April 9, 1889, this office received through the War . Department a communication stacing that two Indims, '6 Bkamiah Alotatn and ' 6 Yan Puss claimed certain lands forahome, basing their:. rights npon occupancy of the same prior to the extension of the public. survey thereover ; that one Jensen and companion appeared upon the . ground, both armed with guns, and ordered the Indians off, ioclosed .their lands and threatened them with death if they should again be found therein. The Indians, however, attempted a second time th plow their fields, when they were again driven away by the same pa~ties, since which time they have made no further efforts in that direction. These cases were reported to the Department,with recommendation that the proper United States district attorhey be instructed to insti- @te in the suitable court such profleedings as,are necessary toreinstate the Indians in the possession of their lands. They are cited to show the efforts made by white men to dispossess Indians of land long claimed, occupied,and used by them, and the perils to which they are . . exposed in their endeavors to retain the homes where their forefathera dwelt, and which they have continued to cultivate and improve. Many oases of similar character have been reported to this office, and in every instance prompt action has been taken to secure to the Indians the poa- . . session of the lands which they occupy. , |
