Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-16
INDIANS OF THE NORTHWEST
What the Commission Appointed by Congress
Agreed to do For Them.

WksHIHG1oN Dec. IA commission
consisting of Bishop IL. B. Whipple, OF
Minnesota, Col. John Y. Wright, of Ten
nessee, and Major G. f. Larra5ee, Of the
Indian Office, who were appointed under
an act of congress to negotiate with GER
tain tribes and bands of Indians in Min
nesota, Dakota, Montana, Idaho and
Washington territory, have submitted to
General Atkins, commissioner of Indian
affairs a report of their operations up to
December LIST, 1886. The report says
that two separate and distinct agree
ments, have been effected as a.
result of their negotiations; one
with the Indians of White Earth.
Leech Lake, CassLake, Lake Winnbiqos
hissh, and White Oak Point res
ervatiOns and the Gulf River
and others, and with the Indians
of the Red Lake reservation. By
the terms of the agreement with the
White Earth, Lake Winnebiqo and
other scattered tribes of the Chippewas,
concluded Aug. IL, 1886, the unoccupied
lands of the White Earth reservation are
thrown open for all of the tribes and
bands of the Chippewas in Minnesota.
The Indians now occupying a
reservation which contains about
100000 acres being first permitted
to make selections for themselves.
The quantity of land each Indian will be
entitled to receive under the agreement
is as follows: Each head Of a family $50
acres; each singl" person over Is years of
age, 80 acres; each orphan child under Is
years of age, so acres; each other person
under Is years Of age, 40 acres. The In
dams are to have the benefit of and be
subject to the criminal laws of the state
in all offenses, the penalty for which is
death or imprisonment in the state peni
tertiary. Provision is made for the sup
port of Indians moving to White Earth
and is to be continued until they are able
to take care of themselves, but in no event
to exceed two years. Each head OF fam
lily and each male Indian over
eighteen years of age, when he be-
comes a permanent resident upon his
allotment will be provided with com
Portable hewed log house, cook stove,
yoke of oxen, piow, wagon and COW,
an axe and other implements of hus-
bandry. Each Indian shall have five
acres of land broken for him and be pro-
vided with seed for the first crop. In
dustrial and district schools are to be es-
tablished for all the children on the res
6TVdUlOn, y endDlO Iuo government "
carry out these designs the Indians cede
the large tract of land belonging to them
north of Leach lake, which is to be sold
upon the most advantageous terms pos
sible. The agreement contains several
other provisions intended to protect per-
sons and property and improve the moral
conditions of the Indians. By the
terms of the agreement with the
Red Lake band of #the Chippewas, about
two-thirds of their reservation or an area
estimated to contain over 100000 acres
is ceeded to the United States to be sold
for the benefit of the Indians. The por
ton ceeded embraces vast timber zone
said to be of almost incalculable value.
The report says that these Indians re-
quire immediate help and it was decided
that the United States should advance
$4,000 to be expended IN the building of
an agency saw and grist mill, and comfor
table houses and the purchase of certain