Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1878-05-24

upon my second representation of the
case to the Commissioner IF Indian
Affairs, it was rescinded on the 18th
lot January last; and only six weeks
Iago received copy Of newspaper
published but twenty miles from the
residence of Mr.. Craig containing the
information that on the 9Th Of Februa.
ry last the Commissioner of Indian
Affairs telegraphed to Agent Mon
iteith that he vas at liberty to remove
Craig or not at his discretion"
Jacob, an ex-head chief of the Nez
Perces, while he held that position was
threatened by Agent Moutei,h with the
withholding Of his salary Ms head chief
provided for by treaty, for which an.
lpropriation had been made by CONGRESS-
because he exercised his rights and ne
tlt'oned TOR the agents removal. and
Jacob now lies prisoner at Fort All.
catraz, as is believed, not for any crime
but a victim of tie agents power.
There is no evidence, so far as / cams
certain, that he was guilty of a single
improper or hostile act. except ths. be
went from the Lapwa Neg Perez agency
to the kamai subagency, about thirty.
four miles distant, where his wife and
children and property were aud in dab.
ger OF being destroyed by the hos,iles.
then in force but few miles distant, to
protect his family. and in 80 doing disc
beyed an order, made BY the agent upon
visit by him to Lapwai on business
"that he saould not leave there" made
have no doubt. for the purpose Of
gratifying his vindictive feelings toward
said Jacob. knowing that Jacobs fears
for the safety Of his family would make
him disobey the order, thus giving him
{Monteith) an opportunity to wreak his
vengeance.
| have only referred to very few Of
the acts OF oppression aud unfaithful
ness that have produced their legitimate
results. | have passed over his efforts
to rob the heirs of Willium Craig of a
valuable Oregon donation claim, reserv.
Gu to them by treaty; his efforts 20 dc.
pfige white way,station keepers, pro
vided for by treaty for the convenience
OF the travelling public, of their proper
ty without proper compensation; his
ousrages upon the private owners OF the
Lapwai Mission property, and his in
voklng and obtaining the aid of the
military IN each case. and especially to
annul the action and DEGREES Of courts
inthe last named case, and rob men of
their property by falsely reporting 10
the lndlap Department that his high.
handed measures were demanded by the
Indians aud required to keep then, in
state OF qulctude, when the facts were
that the conduct referred to was against
the protest OF large hunters Of then,
and Impressed the mass of the tribe with
deep sense Of his total disregard Of
right and justice in dealing either with
Indians or their white ncghbors and
friends.
All the matters enumerated and napy
others, but especially the fact that the
pledges by Monteth to the indians
who had heretofore removed to the res.
ervation, had never been fulfilled, aud
his religious intolerance, placed a barrier
TO inducing the non treaties 10 nccnnv
the reservation while Monteith remain
ed 10 charge as agent. For MANY wears
after the making of the Neg Perce
treaty Of 1868 an agent was in charge
James O'Neil, who was universally es.
teomed and respected nv the Neg Perces
both on and uif the reservation. He
was an old pioneer, who understood
their character, had their confidence.
and labored tor peace and harmony, full
hIicd his pledges, and by his tirmncss
made his authority respected. | make
these remarks relative to Mr.. O'Ncil
tho former ageut, That aifiaavits Of John
y Manuel an @. b. Woud, regarding
the situation Of affairs at the commence,
inent OF the Nee Perez hos,ilitics. may
be correctly understood. | read from
copies OF atHdavits the originals cf which
| have filed 10 the Interior Department:
TsRRsronv OF IpAno,
County IF lduho, 81:
l, Charles b. Wood, after heing duly sworn.
uePesc and SAY that about tho LIST Of Inst June
the following named Indians: choteiy Mox.
Mox' Red ELK, shnrrsns. Hip. and Caps Cans.
came to me aud told nae they had besn sent bv
White Bird to ask me IL could not al some
thing for them. I asked them what il was ,hcv
Wished They said that Joseph had agreed Is
go on the reservation. and they supposed thew
would have 70 60 too. They said they would
90 willing 70 go i there was good agent like
Mt. Nsl'i at the agency; but while Monteith
WAS there the only way Hovnrd ooria ~. 49,.
there would DO to pack them. Thsy vished ma
TO write them spaper and zee IL General Howard
would not put another agent there; and I told
Thorn i would DO Of no use for me to do Il IL I
wished. for I did not know General No vsra,
and II did did not think he could remove ths
agent II be was go disposed. Then they told NJ
Z the soldiers came after them while Monteith