Cheyenne transporter. [volume] (Darlington, Indian Terr.) 1879-1886, 1883-06-27
TIE GRASS LEASES.

The leasing by the Cheyennes and ArapahOes
ssf the western portion OF their reservation has
been the most important move made for some
time In Indian circles, as 1t yields them reyenye,
whIeb If applied as Is at present contemplated.
will result In their becoming self supporting at the
end OF ten years The yearly grass rental amounts
to So, ,357.60, payable semtaunually, part I'm
cash and part in cattle. In order 10 form some
conception Of the value received, the Indians re-
Guested the fret payment made In silver. This
the lessees agreed tO, ANA the first payment has
Just been made by Ed Fenon, VIM. T.. Nalaley,
and Col. Hunter in behalf Of the lessees In re
sponse to a telegram from Wm Maaey that he
had arrived at Caldwell with the money and wished
aEuaTd, detail OF eight Indian police (four from
each trlbe selected among Themselves went 10y
stage to Caldwell and escorted the treasure down.
The amount was over S3l 900 in big" silver
dollars, and was packed In ioar kegs and Gye
boxes, the weight being 800 pOunds-a wagon
load Of silver dollars ! Mr.. Malaey says he could
not have wished more safe or ylgllant guard,
aud during the entire payment the pay tables we're
gnder The sole protection of the Indian police
niuch to the satisfaction OF the lnGians. The
silver was arranged in piles Of ten dollars each on
long tables extending across the commissary, form-
Ing glitlerng mass Of wealth. sight but few men
ut one glance. The distribution was made on the
regular ration tickets, and amounted to about five
dollars for each man, woman and child in the
tribes. AS the number OF people on each ration
ticket was called Mr. Fenon counted out the silver
and dropped il into the blankets held to receive it
and rapidly and quietly constant stung OF indian
men and women passed before him, receiving the
share TO which they were eGtited. In this manner
the payment W2s made Ia two days-the dlaTibu-
ton being very thorough. The Indians were per.
feclly happy In their good fortune, and not the
beast thing occurred to jar the serenity Ut the
occasion.
Aaer receiving their lease money, the Indians
made grand Iush on the traders Tor few days
but spent bat a small portion OF the money "
ed, II being Tie general feeling among them that
they must save it 10 provide necessities for Ihe
tnlure This feeling has been prominent during
all their councils preceding The lease and they
have made formal request that ha.i OF heir
yearly payments be made in stock cattle COWS ana
hefers. IN o,Ger that the cattle 80 accumulated
might be properly handled, they have, with the
advice of their Agent, agreed 10 hold the nerd in
common undeI competent, practical white COW
man as manager, and what is more. to secure
man permanently, they have agreed at thch own
expense sc pay salary that viii make il TO The ad-
vantage of theiI manager to bend every nerve in
making the herd financial success, as his SALARY
will increase each year unt II he proves his ab!li-
iy as the years advance, the tenth year IL may
amount to $1,000 per annum. The Indian depart
ment has agreed In orderto encourage the Indians,
10 invest as much In cattle as the Indians them
selves and turn them into the common herd. or
course this aid extended 10y the Department will be
dependent upon appropriations for the purpose
made by Congress but there Is not the least doubt
but that Congressmen will cheerfully extend a
helping hand TO a people now endeayoTng TO help
themselves At the start the Indians will purchase
say 800 head OF COWS and heiiers at cost OF
$4,000, the herding expenses taxing 'he larger
norton OF the balance. The Department proposes
10 furnis a like value and TO purchase hne bulls
and stock cattle TO grade the herd up. Each year
an inc,ease the ratio OF gain until at the end of
sen reors. .zhen tae grass leases expire, mo indian