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Show I 108 REPORT OF THE OOMNIBBIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRd. any or all lands deeded him by reason of the agreement, and may pay such member at the next annual payment his or her pro rata share of the funds of the tribe if the Secretary shall find such member to be fully competent and capable of managing and caring for his or her individual affairs. Upon the issuance of such certificate the lands, both homestead and surplus, shall become yubject to taxation. The completed roll shows 247 names. The schedule of homestead allotments was approved on March 24, and the schedule of additional allotments on June 27,1903. The homestead deeds have been executed and delivered; the allotment deeds have been executed, but not yet delivered. In accordance with the provisions of section 7 of the agreement, the south half of the southeast quarter of section 26, township 27, range 4, was set aside for town-site purposes. The land was surveyed into lots, blocks, streets, and alleys by Charles F. Leech, civil engineer, and the town site was named Washunga after the principl chief. The lots were sold at public auction to the highest bidder on June 25 to 30. Five hundred and twenty-four of the lots were sold, bringing $6,065. One lot is occupied by a Government building and 59 lots remain unsold. The deeds for the town lots have been executed in favor of the successfnl bidders, but have not yet been delivered. I JOSEPH'S BAND OF NEZ PERC* IN WASHINGTON. 8 \ A bill (Senate 5311) was introduced in the last Congress for the relief of Joseph's band of Nez Perch Indians. This bill provided for the payment to Joseph and his band of $382,827.16 as the aggregate amount due them for lands in Indian (now Oklahoma) Territory con-veyed to the United States in trust for their use and benefit by the Cherokee Nation by deed dated June 14,1883, in pursuance of an item contained in the sundry civil appropriation act approved March 3, 1883. The bill also provided for the share of Joseph and his band in the sum of $1,686,622 appropriated by the act of August 15, 1894, to carry out the provisions of the agreement with the "Nez Perch Indians of Idaho," concluded May 1,1893, and for the value of the lands upon the Nez Perch Reservation in the State of Idaho, which it is claimed should have been allotted to Joseph and his band. On January 22, 1903, this bill, together with all the accompanying papers, was by resolution of the Senate referred to the Court of Claims under the act entitled "An act to provide for the bringing of suits against the Government of the United States," approved March 3,1887. The court is authorized to proceed with the same in accordance with the provisions of that act, and to report to the Senate what amount or amounts, if my, are legally and equitably due Joseph's band of Nez Perc6 Indians under the various items of claims set forth in the bill. |
