Omaha daily bee., 1885-05-18
TlDBlTS FOR TIllERS.
Tie SalttR Resi- VC.--ltG LOgaF, LOup
and Republican Valleys.
The Rush for Land in Northeast and
Southwest Observation-Disclosures
~ Farmers--Howsrd
County Affairs.
THE sANTEE REsERVE.

There was a great crush at the Niobrara
land office last Friday, the occasion being
the ~orening of the Sshtee Indian reserva-
ton lands. These lards were made cub
ject to the homestead, pre.empticn and
timber culture laws, and when more
than one filing IA made on any one
piece of land 1t was put up at auction and
given to the highest bidder. The rule of
the land Office prevented what threatened
to be a atormy time, and many choice
pieces of land brought high prices,
Several Omaha ~lsnds.hunters have been
prospecting in the reserve lately, and
were not favorably impressed with the
lay of the country. Mr.. Woodman, of
this city, returned Saturday from an ex.
tended ride over that country, and pro-
uounces it the poorest that has yet been
put on the market. The Indians have
selected the best of the bottom and high
land, and are widely scattered. If a
white man takes a claim between the In
dams he is shut out from his fellows and
| mubL DchT LIS bnbTe VI
the taxes without the benefits,
particularly school facilities. The
greater portion of the high land Is broken
and gravely, end Its productive qualities
must GER ainly be limited. A large group
Of Ohio and Illinois farmers had tquatted
on a choice piece of land, previous to the
opening, and had organized for the pur-
pose OF holding their claims, even II
awarded 10 other parties by the lane
officers. Mr.. Woodmsn was sgreeabli
surprised at the intelligence and activity
of the Indians. They have neat frame
houses, all painted white. Many o
them speak coed English and have learned
the use of tools. One Indian was founC
building o house and WELDING the cav
and hammer like an expert.
The Logan Valley, in Mr.. Woodman'
opinion, and In fact the entire countr.
between Douglas and Knox counter,
f the farmers paradise. YET In this ia.
vored region, blessed with incomparabl
soil and market facilities, great bodies o
land are held by speculators and u~nculti.
waited. The favored members of tn
; school land ring gobbled up, unde
tw enty and twenty five year leases, sec
ton after section CT the land. The ring.
sters now demand and frequently receiv'
q bonus of 49, so an acre fer the leases
besides having the interest paid by then
on appraisement refunded. The pur
chaser generally gets the worst of tn
bargain, for as soon as a lea.e change
hands a new appraisement is had, ant
under the present law it cannot be les
than 81 An acre. This ~ stem of lease 1
a grea. detrlment to Dixon ard Ceda
4 counties.
5 In the Omaha reserve Mr.. Woodmal
. found q few Indian farmers at work. TIL
general rule Is TO do as little as possible
= The lazy and shiftless living off the fe'
. active workers. Each adult buck an
5 equaw has been allotted eighty acre
y mach, and the children forty, These a
lotments are not taxable, and cannot
transferred for twenty-five years. TIL
Ind olence of a majority of the IndianI
y and their desire to trade, has induce
~seveaal stoskmen to bargain for rang
|, privileges. One ~enterprlsing stockma
proposes to take a section of the tribe t
a Washington, hoping thereby to Undue
the Interior department to grant the In
g dians the right to lease their claims.
this privilege is g~ivep..the lucky stockma
lie will obtain a luxurious range for the
heards for almost q song.