Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1879-10-09
The Fort Ripley Reservations

The following letter from Hon. W.
D. Washburn gives the latest and
most definite information in respect to
the proposed ejectment Of settlers on
the Fort Ripley reservation.
Minneapolis, Oct. Z, 1879.
h. G. stivers, Esq, Little Falls, MINI.
Dear Sir Your letter of the 9TH
inst. came duly to hand. I saw General
Terry yesterday and had long inter-
view with him in reference to the ques-
ton of his recent order. From HIM I
learn that the order was issued especially
with reference to two parties who are oc>
cupying some Of the old buildings at
Fort Ripley and who, of course, had no
right to do so. He did not understand
the large number of settlers who were
scattered over the reservation and he
finds larger undertaking on his hands
than he supposed. I recommended and
urged that he take no further action in
the premises until submitting the case TO
the Department at Washington, and I
Am inclined to think that he will do 60.
/, as you are aware, introduced bill in
to the House during thelast session Of
Congress, restoring this reservation to
tho public domain, and providing for
those parties that had already settled up
on It. / shall urge the passage of the
bill next session at as early time as pos,
sible, and think that it will pass. I shall
urge the Department to take no further
steps In the premises until 1t is deter
mined whether the bill shall pass or not.
There was . Law passed several years ago
providing for the appraisement and sale
Of this reservation, but the commissions
ers have never acted In the matter.
think It is much better for all concerned
that the reservation be restored to the
public domain like any other land in the
State and subject to homestead and pre-
emption, as they are, and shall do all
that I can to bring about such result.
In the meantime hope neither General
Terry nor the War Department will in
terfere with those who have already SET
tied upon the reservation.
Yours very truly,
w. D. WAsHBuRK.
The following is the principal part
of an article in the Pioneer Press Of
Sunday last in relation to the same
matter:
Upon inquiry at department headquar-
ters in St. Paul 1t is learned that the Or
iginal order of Gen. Terry was directed
principally against certain persons who
aad taken possession Of and were occupy
ing some Of the buildings of the post but
while the order was intended for them,
1t was primarily made, generally, for all
persons illegally on the reservation. The
persons who were occupying the fort
either have removed, or soon will re-
move, from the reservation. The execu~
ton of these orders disclosed the fact
that large number of persons have gone
on the reservation illegally and in def
ance of the rights of the public, that is
the government. It was not learned
what further action will be taken on this
newly discovered situation of affairs.
One thing is evident, and that is, that
these people have no claim to the land on
which they have squatted, Even should
the reservation ever be thrown open to
settlement, the illegal acts committed
now cannot lay the foundation for flu
ture claim Of right. For the benefit Of
those interested the act of congress APP
proved February %, 1878, directing the
sale at public auction by the secretary OF
war of the military reservation at Fort
Ripley is published. twill be seen from
the terms of the act that those persons
who have squatted upon the reservation
cannot possibly acquire any rights what
ever. As the sale will be by public auc-
ton they can have no preference in the
bidding, and will be liable to be turned
out from their so>called claims by who
ever may bid q higher price for it than
they can bid:
Be it enacted by the senate and house of
representatives of the United States Of Amer
lea in congress assembled, that the secretary
of war be and he is hereby authorised and d.
reoted to sell at public auction the whole or so
much Of the military reservation at Fort Rip
Icy. in the State of Minnesota, as may no
longer be required for military purposes.
sRc.2. It shall be the duty Of the seoreta-
~ Of war to appoint board of three army
officers, which board shall apprsise each piece
or parcel of land with the buildings thereon,
before the same is offered for sale, and no sale
shall be made at = price less than two-thirds
Of the appraised value.
SEC. ;. And it shall be the duty of the
secretary Of war to cause notice of said sale to
be published in one Of the principal newsps.
pers in the city of Washington, in two Of the
principal newspapers in the State Of Mime
sofa, and in one paper, if any there be, in the
county where said lands to be sold are situat-
ed, or any county adjoining thereto, for the
space Of sixty days prior to sale.
Approved February Is, 1873.