Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1886-04-22
POTTAWATOMlE LANDS.

The Committee on Indian Lands Reports
Favorably the bill TO Sell the Pottawato-
mic Lands i'm Kansas.
y WASHINGTON, April 49, Congressman
Perkins, of Kansas, from the Committee on
Indian Affairs, has favoraby reported the
bill to provide for the sale of lands belong
ing to the prairie band of Pottawatomie
Indians in Kansas The committee in pre-
senting the case say: "These lands, situated
In jackson County, Kan, contain 1887
acres, making reservation eleven miles
square, mostly rolling upland with narrow
fertile valleys along three creeks and small
streams. There are about 40 of these
Indians living on this reservation. and In
addition there are about 2S0 of them living
with the Winnebago Indians in Wis.
cOnsn, but who would be entitled
to tribal benefits and to allotmcnts, under
the provisions of this bill should they re-
turn to the reservation. While many of
these Pottawatomie indians are reasonably
industrious in their present tribal organiza-
tioE there is but little encouragement for
individual effort end but slight incentive
TO labor ard economy. This reservation is
surrounded by well improved and well
cnltiVatei farms and it is tie experience of
your Committee that this commune should
pe broken up and fair proportion of the
space allotted in seyeralty to the members
OF the tribe and the balance sold to white
settlers. These Indians have more Land
IMAM they require for their use
and i'll consequence leased to the r.
j. Anderson Company last March a tract
for grazing purposes containing about
10000 acres for period of ten years 10 re.
celve rental of 5000 per annuni, to be
paid them semi-anhuatly, as per capita. In
lts present condition the land can not be
sold by the Indians, or by the Governments,
anu we nue. in one Of the popuous grow
ING courties of Kansas a great reservation
Oh P.ore than Il, 900 acres of land unneccs-
SErily set apart for the home OF small
band of Indians, while industrious and law
abiding citizens are without homes and are
asking that they may be permitted to pur.
chase at full value moiety of that so ul-
necessarily reserved from public occupation
and sale. The reservation is an impeachment
to the growth and development of Jack
son County, and a burden 10 the tax
payers and public interests, and public in.
tereSts and public opinion are in accord in
demanding that the Indian reservation shall
DE broken up and the land allotted 10 the
Indians IN severalty with proper reStr.c-
ions upon alienation, ana the surplus sold
or disposed of 10 tie thousands seeking
MONIES upon the public domain. Large por.
ions OF this reservation have been inc,osed
win wire fences 10y cattlemen and others,
exciting great opposition from the farmers
ana others who are compelled 10 cross The
reservation in going to and returning from
Their county seat and in some instances have
led TO breach of the peace. Crimes commit.
TED on the reservation by whites must be
prosecuted III the local courts, and at the
expense of the local taxpayers while no
taxes or revenues can be obtained from the
reservation to assist in meeting the burdens
Imposed upon the people"