| OCR Text |
Show BEPORT OF THE COMMISSIONEB OF INDIAN AFFILIRS. 61 Union PQcEc Ra&oad.-On February 16, 1909, the department approved maps of definite location for three sections of a right of way for this company across the Coeur dJAlene Reservation, Idaho, a total distance of 53.4 miles. At the same time there were approved maps for four station grounds, eachof 20 acres, within this reservation. Wyoming and Western Railroad.-A schedule of damages for sta-tion grounds taken by the company at Hudson, Wyo., within the Shoshone Reservation, was approved May 7,1909. Tribal damages in the sum of $95.40 and individual allottee damages in the sum of $171.26 have been collected from the company and disbursed. Westm Dakota Rai1~0ad.-On December 4, 1908, the department approved maps of dehite location in five sections for a right of way 83.62 miles in length across the Standing Rock Reservation, N. Dak.; on May 10, 1909, a map of dehite location 17.18 miles in length was approved. Damages have been assessed on the first 15+. miles, which the company proposes to construct at once. A schedule of tribal damages in the sum of $146.25 has been approved by the department, and a schedule of damages to the allotments of 29 allottees, aEecting 222.8 acres, in the sum of $3,704.84 has also been approved. Three allottees have refused to consent to the award made by the appraisers, and upon the request of the railroad com-pany three referees have been appointed to assess the damages in accordance with section 3 of the act of March 2, 1899 (30 Stat. L., 990). The board of referees has not submitted its report. WORK OF THE SALES SECTION. NONCOMPETENT SALES. The sale of land belonging to noncompetent Indians is authorized by the act of Congress approved March 1, 1907 (34 Stat. L., 1015- 1018). By the terms of this act an Indian allottee can sell his land in whole or in part. A careful apprdisement is made by field officers of the department. The land sale is advertised for a petiod of sixty days and sealed bids invited. The Indian can refuse to accept the highest bid if he does not deem the price offered adequate, in which case the land will be readvertised. The funds derived from the sale are conserved for the benefit of the allottee. If he is shown to be competent to care for his money, all or part will be turned over to him. Any expenditure for im-proving his other lands, or the purchase of farming implements, is looked upon with favor, and his individual money can be used for that purpose. If the Indian is disqualified for work by reason of age or physical disability, he is paid a certain sum each month sufficient to care for him. Table 33 shows areas and prim of noncompetent lands sold during the year. |
