The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-07-30
THE LEASED LANDS,
The President and Cabinet Conclude that
the Cattle Land Leases are InvaIid-What
M

The President and Cabinet Conclude that
the Cattle Land Leases are InvaIid-Whst
CattIemsn say.
WASHINGTON, July S3.-After mature
consideration the President and Cabinet
have reached the conclusion that tbs leases
of lands in the Indian Territory held by cat
tlemsn are invalid, and it has been deter
mined to take steps to have them set aside.
General Sheridan has reported that no
permanent settlement of the Indian troubles
In the Territory could be effected while
the cattlemen were in possession of the
best lands 1t is the intention Of
the President TO remove the disturb
ing element, and reserve the Indian Terri
tory for the exclusive use of the Indians The
method of procedure has not yet been de
termined. A Presidential proclamation
may issue, but il Is regarded by well liz
formed persons as more probable that &C
tons will be begun in the United States
courts Of the Western District of Kansas
having Jurisdiction over the Territory, look
ing to a declaration of the inyslidty of the
leases. After Cabinet consultation and
in accordance with the advice of General
Sheridan, the Secretary of the Interior hss
decided to turn over to the War Depart
ment the control of the Cheyenne and
AFapahoe reservation in the Indian Terri
tory.
FEELING IN KANSAS CITY.
KANSAS CITY, Mo-, July 23.-The news
of the decision of the President and Cabinet
was received here at a very late hour. Sew
eral cattlemen were interviewed as to the
effect an order to exclude them from the
Indian lands would have. While all seemed
10 discredit the report, the opinions as to
the effect were not unanimous. Some were
of the opinion that it would greatly injure
the men now holding leases in the Terri
tory, while others affected to believe that it
would benefit them. Following are some
Of the opinions expressed:
Mr.. A. j. Snider, who has large cattle
interests in the Indian Territory, was
dumbfounded when informed of the action
taken and utterly discredited the report.
If il is true" he said, 1.-The decision has
been reached rather quickly. | can not
conceive how the Government can so ruth
lessly handle IS, 600, 600 worth of property.
Where will the cattle go? That's more than
anybody can tell. 1t is question for the
Government to settle"
Mr.. Charles Wood was inclined to credit
the report If the Government had really
decided to exclude cattle from the Terri
tory, it will very materially cripple the
largest industry in the West There were
about $50 leases in the Territory and abOnt
1000, 900 head of cattle. He said they
were paying the Indians 81 man for the
leases and they seemed we'll satisfied.
Mr.. j. NJ Day, who has lease of sc, 000
acres in the Cherokee Strip, was not in
clined to take the matter much to hea 1T
Il have received as many as dozen orders
to get out since | went into the Territory"
he said, land am still there. Whenever
the time came for moving 1 would take my
men out, but not being able to move the
cattle would have TO bring them back
again. This order will result in giving the
cattlemen their leases for nothing"
But suppose the order is enforced, what
them"
1T would be a good thing for the cattle
men. We have been feeding the Indians
ever since we went in there. They kill our
cattle with as much liberty as if they owned
them. | have had 100 killed in one winter
that know of and how many more | am
unable to say. We have been bled right
along. For my part am glad to get out.
| have been getting out as fast as | can,
having moved lot of my cattle into Kan
sas. Other cattlemen are doing the same
thing. There are not One-half so many
cattle in the Territory as there were year
ago. Candidly, it is a good thing and l
hope it will he carried out"
Mr.. I. 5. Hutton, who has large interests
in the Cheyenne strip. was satisfied that the
cattiemen should be ordered off if the
Government thought best. Individually he
didn't care tinker's dam one way OF tie
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