The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-09-11
THE MYTHS OF MONTANA.
100000 PAID ron INDIANS VINO
DON'T EXIST THERE.
Robbery Of the Government Repeated Au-
nuaiiy for Ten Yeers-ARents for Tribes
that Removed to the Dominion Long ARo.

Robbery of the Government Repeated Au-
nuaiiy for Ten Years-ARents for Tribes
that Removed to the Dominion Long Ago.
FORT MAGINNIs, Montana, Aug. 90
Before gold was discovered In these mountains,
what Is now the prosperous Territory OF Mon
tana was inhabited by Blackfeet Indians. This
nation was, and still Is, divided into three
tribes, Blackfoet, Bloods, and PieRans, speak
ing the same language. and connected by blood
and marriage ties, but living In different camps.
In those days II was the custom Of the agent for
these Indians to visit the country once year
bv way of the Missouri river, distribute his sup
plies, and return to the States the same season.
As gold seekers began nlling up the country, tho
Indians gradually moved north across the
British line, and for ten years not n Dlackfoot
Indian and not To exceed I've lodges Of Blood
Indians have been on American soil, except in
the form OF parties who visit this side to steal
stock These Indians do their trading at british
posts, and are supplied by the Canadian Govern
meut, which maintains a regiment OF mounted
police to regulate thom. There are still, how
ever, about $50 lodges OF Picgan Indians, who
spend a part OF their time on this side OF the
line drawing supplies from the United States
Government, and they mainly live on British
ground with their relatives. the Bloods and
Dackfeet The reason they have not lived ex-
clusvely north OF the line Ia that they have
been at war with Assindboine Indians. but q
treaty has been made between them. and within
year the Piegans will be of American soil
During ten yenrs past CONGRESS has annually
appropriated 10000 for tho IIl ickfeet, Blood
and Plecan Indians. Agents have been sent to
these Indians at . salary OF Sl,JOO year each.
In the ofice of the Commissioner OF Indian Az
fairs may be found the returns OF these agents
for ten years. accounting for $jO.OOO per annun,
or half million in ALL with those returns will
be found papers endorsed "Abstracts OF Is
sues" in which are the names OF the principal
III 'ckieet and Blood chiefs signed 20 what pur-
purts to be receipts for immense quantities OF
supplies and annuity goods: As ABOVE ex-
planned, not n solitary Blackfoot. and not over
i've or six lodges OF Bloods, have been on this
side the line for ten years, and during that time
no United States Indian agent ever saw Black
foot Indian. Those names have been put there by
the agents and their clerks. An Inspector usually
visits this agency once ayear. lie comes here
and sees a few Piegans loifin9 about the aCcn-
cy, and Is informed by the agent that the Black
feet aud Hloods are out hunting buffalo. THIS
Is usually satisfactory, and he returns to wash
ineton and reports everything right among tho
Bllckfeet
This agency for several years has carried on Its
rolls a carpenter, blacksmith, two school
teachers. a doctor, n herd rmer and a clerk
aud cOmmssary "a well as several other en-
rloyees. These men draw salaries Of from 5000
isbors. after ak years schooling. YOU cannot
ind three lndi n children who can tell A from
~ or the agricultur.l department, in no year
vet has seed enough been dsed to tnt the
fields the next year. And for the mechanical
department, uutting handles on to old frying
pans for souaws includes all the labor Tor both
carpenter ana blacksmith.
Six years ago agency built for these
Indians at n large expense. Last week bids
were opened by Agent Woods for building n
new agency. Tue pids ranged from tr}0O to
$1,000, Suitable buildings could be erected for
400. The amount Of money Is to be EXPENDED
for residence IN which the agent and mis- en-
ployees will reside. Here It Is that this agent,
on the paltry saiury OF 3 JO viii account for the
$1,000 voted by Congress for these Indians.
Here II IS that he will sign his name officially
agent for the BaCkfeet and hers, people
whom he never saw and who are under the ao-
solute control OF IA foreign power.