Daily Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1882-1893, 1885-07-28
INDIAN DOMAIN,
The Extensive Interests Affected
by the Order Voiding the
Southern Leases.
Benefits of Stock Inspection
Purpose, Plan and Effect
of the System.
Other Lands Than Ours-A
View of Forsyth-Jottings
Here and Elsewhere.

The Cheyenne and Arrapahoe Leases.
The executive order peremptorily
removing the cattle now ranging on
the Cheyenne and Arrapahoe reserva-
tons, Indian Territory, within forty
days is causing considerable commo-
ton among the stock growers inter
ested, and while the general feeling is
that the order will have to be obeyed
so far as Is possible in so short limit,
the action of the president is unre-
servedly spoken Of as i'll advised and
hasty, anticipating rs 1t does the re-
port Of the senatorial commission on
Indian leases. As closely as can be
CLEANED from the various reports, the
action of the President has been
brought about as follows: Following
the recent troubles in the Indian Ter
ritory came Gen. Sheridan's report
intimating that the cattle leases had
caused feeling of irritation among
the Indians, and recommending the
removal Of their agent, and the plac-
Ing Of the Indians under military con-
troll until the legality of the leases
could be determined. The President
at once informed Gen. Sheridan that
the leases vi be void; that the govern
men had undoubted right to remove
the cattle and asked Sheridan's opin-
ion of their immediate removal as a
solution of the difficulty. With such
a positive statement from the execu-
tive as to the illegality Of the leases,
Gen. Sheridan recommended the re-
moval of the cattle within forty days
and on this recommendation the order
was issued. That such peremptory
action will work great hardships to
the cattle interest of that section is
beyond doubt. According to best in
formation there are not less than 300,-
900 head Of cattle ranging over the
leased portion of the reservation
which is estimated at $500, 900 acres.
To round them up and remove them
would require much longer time
than that granted by the order,
and the inference is that those not
removed within that time will be re.
garded as trespassers subject to the
lawful depredations Of the Indians,
Many Of the outfits now ranging cat
tie there have no other ranges, and "a
those who have ranges either north OF
south, the quarantine laws oppose the
introduction OF the cattle on these
ranges as arbitrarily as the Presidents
order commands their removal. OF
those interested in eastern Montana,
against whom this order operates may
be mentioned the Newman Bros.
Hunter, Evans & Co. and Col. Seth
Mabry. Col. Mabry had just put
20, 900 head on his range in TIE Indian
Territory, after paying two years
rental of it without using 1t.
Geo. Peck, Of Topeka, Kan, spoken
of as the principal attorney for the
Indian Territory cattlemen, made q
hurried trip to Washington. TO delay
action IL possible until the cattlemer
could be heard from, but evidently
found the government unusually de
termined In its course as he wired hi
clients that there was no hope Of re
consideration. Whether those inter
ested will take steps to legally contes
the operation of the order is mooteC
question; conventions are being helC
and "A course of procedure being dis
cussed. The fact that decisions hav'
been given in the United States court
confirming the legality Of the lease
has tendency TO induce an appeal I,
the law, but IL Is doubtful IL such
step will be taken. The Cherokee
leases are not disturbed by this orde
as tine Cherokees hold their lands II
fee simple. The Cheyenne and Arrap
ahoe reservations which are affecte,
by the order comprise 1000 900 acres
q, 500, 900 of which are under lease a
an average OF two cents an acre annua
rental, which Is higher rate thai
that paid to railroad companies 70
contiguous lands. The principal leas,
holders are q. Il. Reynolds, sl4.o
acres; Cheyenne a Arrapahoe cattl
Co, 100000 acres; Evans 4 Hunter
400, 900 acres, aud Briggs Cattle Co
800, 900 acres.