The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-09-03
5. J. CRAWFORD.
DEPARTMENT OF TIE INTERIOR,
OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
w ASHTNETnN AuU-u.t ~ 1888 \

~.
Hon. S. J.. Crawford, Washington, d. c.:
SIR: / am in receipt by your reference OF
/ a letter dated 18th ultimo, from Governor
Martin. of Kansas, making inquiries regard.
ing claims of citizens of sad State. on
count Of dcpredat Ons alleged to have beer
committed by hostile Indians, and in reply
thereto l have TO inform you that fcuI
hundred and fifty claims on account Of dep
relations by Kiowa, COmanchc. CheveIlie
and other indians. committed upon citizens
of Kansas between the years 1850 and la1l
which were examined and reported upon 10y
a Commission authorized by an act Of the
Legislature of Kansas. approved February
=, Isl. were transmitted to the Honorable
secretary OF the Inter or under date March
{. 1874, by Hon. ID. ". Wilder, State Auditor
IF Kansas, said claims aggregatiEg the sum
Of Si2s, G2l.26. At the request Of don. J. Vi
Bright, Chairman of Committee OF Ola ms
House of Representatives, said claims were
transmitted TO Congress January Il, 1876
without any action taken by this Office.
Under Senate Joint Resolution No. l, of the
laws of 1879. State of Kansas Commission
was appointed By the Governor TO examine
and audit claims for losses sustained 10y cit
Gems of Kansas by reason of the invaSionS of
Indians during the year ISIS. Said Commits
sion reported upCu one hundred and sixteen
Fla ms rccOMmendin" an allowance Of <lOl.
$3.50, and diSallowed twentv-SiN claims for
want OF evidence or because not provided
tor 10y the act creating the Commission" az
rTcgatng the sum of Si5,tS'. \ number OF
those allowed have been examined ami re-
ported to Congress, recommending allow
3nceS, which have been MADE and paid 20
claimants
In the act making appropriations for the
current and contingent expenses Of the In
1Ian Department. etc. for the year ending
June -, l So, $1,000 was appropr ated for the
investigation of uncertain ind an derreda-
ton claims; and in eXpending such sum the
Secretary OF the Interior Shsll cause
Z complete list of all claims hereto
fore tiiod in the Interior Department ard
which have been approved in whole or IN
part, and now remain unpaid. and also all
such claims a. are pending and not vet eX-
ahmed, on behalf of the citizens OF the
United States. on account Of Gepredatious
committed. chargCabe against SIy tribe OF
Indians by reason of any treaty between
such tr be and the United States including
the name and address of the claimants, the
date of the alleged depredaIiOnS. bv what
tribe committed. the date of examination
and approval, with reference to the date
and clause of the treaty creating the obi "a
ton for payment, to he made and presented /
to Congress at its next regular session; and
the Secretary i authorized and empowered
before making such report, TO cause such adj
ulIa 0nhl investigation to be made and such /.
further testimony to be taken as he NAV
deem necessary to enable him to determine I.
the kind and value of all property damaged
or destroyed by reason of the depredationS +.
aforesaid, and by what tribe such dcpreda ,
tons were committed: and his report shall
inclU de his determination upon each clam, r
together with the name and residences of .
witnesses. and the testimony of each. and
also what funds are now existing or 10 he de .
rived by reason of treaty or other Obligation .
out OF when the same should be paid
All claims heretofore reported to Congress ,
and not acted upon by that body, have been .
returned To this office for re examination in /
accordance with said law. 4 curSorv cam
ination of n number of the four hundred and
fifty claims referred TO has bes~ made. and
it is found that the declarations IN q major ty
OF the claims are not prepared accordance
with the rules and regulations of the De
partment. approved july Is, lS12 copy here
with. nor is the evidence in support thereof
in accordance Herewith. If claimants will
place themselves i'll communication with
this office instructions Will be furnished &c
enable them to prepare their claims in &C.
cordaGoe with said rules. in order that
they may be acted upon without unnecessary
delay. lac Governors letter is herewith re- 7
turned. Very respectfully.
A. B. IPSHAM. ActlNG Commission