OCR Text |
Show Because of their various migrations, and the many changes in agents and employees, the consus rolls of the tribe prior to allot.ment were practically valueless, as names had been given to the Indians arbitrarily and new ones seem to have been used at each enrollment. The allotting agent conscientiously tried to ascertain the actual name of each Indian; but nxmes meant little to the allottees, and when .patents were issued they failed to recognize the individual names under which they had been allotted or else were too indifferent to disclose them. In fact, perhaps not more than ten or twelve of the allottees can be absolutely identifi'ed with their allotments. The Indians now realize their mistake and have almost unani-mously petitioned for relief. On March 15, 1906, a special report to the Department set out the conditions and submitted a draft of legis-lation which would serve to clear up the muddle, but no legislation was secured. The only way in which the matter can be righted is to take a relinquishment from each member of the tribe, cancel elhe out-standing patents, and reallot the lands. ' As is usually the case, there are a few who object tosuch a course; but the benefits are so obvious that these obstructionists will undoubtedly agree to some such settle-ment when the situation is fully understood by them. It is sincerely hoped that Congress will soon authorize action along the proposed line. 0to.-Under the act of April 21, 1904 (33 Stat. L., 217), the sur-plus lands of the Oto and Missouri Reservation, in Oklahoma, were to be allotted to children born since the former illotments, and any lands still remaining were to be divided among the tribe. The chil-dren of former allottees alive on June 30, 1904, have been allotted, and the division of the remainder of these lands is almost finished. Pine Ridge.-At Pine Ridge, Charles H. Bates has worked steadily during the last year making allotments, and tho the progress made is not so great as might be wisht, under all the circumstances the situi-tion is satisfactory. The conflicting claims of some Indians and the indifference of others have done most to delay the. work. Ponca.-The act of April 21, 1904 (33 Stat. L., 217), covered the Ponca as well as the Oto lands. A year ago I reported that the selections of allotments for the children had been approved. During the last year the remainder of these lands have been divided as directcd by law. QuinaieZt.-The Quinaielt Reservation, in Washington, by its pecu-liar topography, presents more difficulties than any on which allot-ment has been attempted. This will account for the fact that altho ihe allotting agent is industrious and familiar with the country he bas not averaged 14 allotments a month. The reservation. contains magnificent timber, closely set and with an almost impenetrable undergrowth. It isbroken by many streams and lakes. The average |