OCR Text |
Show caAcellations were principally on the ground of fraud or mistake, and they have been a fruitful cause of trouble, both to the Departnlent and the Indians, because such cancellations by the Department prove to be invalid and of no effect. As the allottecs have but recently learned the fact, the difficulties arising from this cause may be said to be just commencing. Another difficulty arises from the attempt of the State of Michigan to tax the lands allottedto the "not so comnpetents." Patents to Indians of this class contain a trust clause providing against their alienation in any manner except by consent of the United States. In view of the Federal question involved, the United States district attorney for Michigan has been instructed to defend the allottees in certain cases which have gone to the courts. These Indianp are few in number, are living in a well-settled and civilized community, and are rapidly becoming merged into the geil-eral population of the State and losing their identity as Indians. KOOTENN INDIANS IN NORTHERN IDAHO. The Hootenais of Northern Idaho, numbering about 225, have been the subject of special attention by this office for the last year or two. They were in a, destitute condition. The whites looking to and engaging in mining operations trespassed npon the lands claimed and occupied by them, and it was feared that a conffict would follow resulting in loss of Life to both white people and Indians. At first it was deemed best.to endeavor to locate themnpon lands in severalty in Idaho, under the provisions of the general allotment act, and steps were taken in that direction. But on July 14,1801, Agent Ronan, of the Flathead Agency, reported that they had requested permission to>e allowed to remove to and settle upon the Plathead Reservatioi in Montana, alleg-ing that it was hopeless for them peaceably to retain the lands where they then resided, and that the Kootenais at Flathead had extended to them a cordial invitation to share their reservation la~xds. The matter was submitted to the Department August 27,1891, and on October 17, 1891, the Secretary authorized that instructions be given Agent Ronau to use every proper means to induce thenoureser. vatiou Kootenais to remove to and settle npon the Flathead Reserva-tion; al~ot,h at should they remove, $6,000 of the funds for therelief of destitute Indians be applied to the purpose of supplying them with fwd and other necessaries of lite. Accordingly, Agent Ronan held a council with them for the purpose of determining the t i e and manuer of their removal. Owing to the cold weather then prevailing April 14,1892, was fixed as the date on which to undertake the journey. On the 19th of May last the agent reported that a portion of them had been removed to the Flathead Reservation; that sorue, claiming to |