The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1882-01-18
INTERESTING TO sTOCKMEN.
Mr. II. f. Milner has an Interview VIII
Col. Il. a. Gardner at Helena.

Mr.. M. E Miner, Secretary of the Stock
Associations of Choteau county, has been in
consultation for the past few days with Col.
r. s. Gardner, special agent with reference
to Indian affairs in Montana, and furnishes
the Independent the following interesting
article as the result of his interview:
1.-THE Department of the Interior has at
last taken cognizance of the stockmen's
grievance. Col. r. s. Gardner, q most ur-
bane gentleman, has been deputeG to confer
with stockmen and Indians, with power to
adjust their differences in any manner not
in contravention Of the treaty of 1866.
The departments best plan for the assur-
ance of settlers, when parties of Indians
leave their reservations, is to have all such
parties accompanied by a careful white en-
ployee, who shall be held strictly account
ability for all overt acts committed by his
charge.
This would mitigate the evil, but not re-
move it. The presence of Indians, however
well disposed, in the settlements Of the
whites, is demoralizing to both races; and
the customary following of half starved
dogs infict great injury on stock.
A misrepresentation exists in regard to the
area covered by the Stevens treaty, within
which the Indians possess certain privileges
for SO years. Art. Ill of the treaty defines
it as follows: THAT territory lying within
lines drawn from the He'll Gate or Medicine
Rock passes in the main range of the Rocky
mountains, in an easterly direction to the
nearest source of the Musselshell river,
thence to the mouth of twenty-five Yard
creek (Shield's river) thence up the Yellow
stone river to its northern source, aud thence
along the main range of the Rocky mount
aims in a northerly direction to the point of
beginning, shall be common hunting ground
for SO years, swhere all the nations, tribes
and bands Of Indians, parties to this treaty,
may enjoy equal and uninterrupted privileges
of hunting, fishing, etc.
The northern limit of the district above de-
fined is a direct east and west line, passing
five miles south of Helena and extending
east only as far as Copperopolis.
Outside this common hunting ground there
were definite Indian reservations assigned TO
each tribe. Art. vi of the treaty provides
that ''The aforesaid Indians, parties to this
treaty, agree and consent to remain within
their own respective countries, except when
going to or from or whilst hunting upon the
common hunting ground or when visiting
each other for the purpose of trade and
social intercourse"
1t will be seen that Choteau and Meagher
counties. where the greatest losses have been
incurred from Indian depredations, are not
within the common hunting ground" ex-
cepting a small part of the southwest corner
of Meagher county, about one-tenth of its
area. The portions of those counties open to
settlement by the whites were rescued from
public domain by Executive order July 9th,
1874. and are in no wise subject to the OBJ
noxious clause Of the treaty.
Obviously, Mr.. Kirkwood twas off his
base" when he addressed his famous letter
to the st0ckmen. The Blackfeet tribes may
cross Choteau and Meagher counties for the
purposes defined, when provided with per-
nit and escort, but may not tarry at any
point. When these conditions are not full
filled it will be in order for the settlers to as.
certain where the Indians belong and prompt
ly report them to their agent.
All depredations committed are ~chargeable
upon their annuities. If the agent is not ex-
act in the discharge of his duties, upon prop
er representations to the committee on In
dian affairs he will be disciplined. AS the
Interior Department processes q desire to
protect the stock interest of Montana BY ex-
ercislng all possible restraint over the United
States reservation Indians, it is to be hoped
that the stockmen will be prudent and con-
cilatory.
Art. Nv Of the treaty with the Crows
states that, 'They shall have the right to
hunt on unoccupied lands of the United
States, 60 long as game may be found there
on" evidently meaning game in quantities to
furnish sustenance in large part for the tribe.
As scarcely any game exists upon the stock
ranges, the Crows are clearly debarred from
thereafter intruding there.
Tue chief Cause of the stockmen's troubles
lies beyond the control of the Interior De-
partment. IF the British tribes were kept at
home, all depredations could be localized
even i~ndivldualized. n