Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1889-06-20

he recent action of the Interior Depart
ncnt in taking the initial steps towards
.!lotting the Nez Pcrce Indians lands in
everalty, and throwing open the balance
If that great reservation to public settle,
nent. l append herewith a close esti
nate, compiled from official sources, OF
acts and figures as follows
Indian pcpuls:ion ......."...... ......... l,5o0
Heads of families, 800, l60 acres each. 4S.Wo
Single adults, GOO. 50 acres each. ........ 5000
nuer age, 600, 40 acres each .. "A, 900
For pasture lands ....................... 80 900
or timber lands 30 ,O00
Total allotment to Indians ............lS0, ,OG0
Acres
Area of reserve. 80 townships. 743, $50
Deduct Indian allvtmerts s.............lS0,0 eco
Leaving total of.................... ...553,,iS0
Acres subject to settlement by white people,
making homes of l60 aores each, for 3 J23
actual settlers.
The process to be pursued, as near as
| can learn; is as follows: Miss Fletcher,
an expert from the Indian bureau, is
already on the reservation to allot the
Indians their lands, and so confident
does the department feel that this lady
will be successful in her mission, tha,
Mr.. Edson Briggs, of Pomeroy, has been
detailed to survey the alotments as fast
as they are made. At the conclusion of
this work, a commission will be appointed
to treat with the Indians for the cession
of the remaining area to the United
States. The lands thus secured BY
treaty will thereupon become part of
the public domain, subject, however, to
no entry of filing, except homesteads
These homesteads must be resided upon
for Eve years. The Communication clause
Of the homestead law does not apply to
homestead entries made on these lands.
There must be FIVE years of actual resi-
dence thereon to secure title to home
stead of l60 acres of the finest land in
the United States. l have stated the
law relating to the disposal Of these lands
thus explicitly, so that none may come to
this latest and best Oklahoma but those
who are prepared to live up to Its
requirements. ard for the further reason
that none may say they were lured here
under false pretenses.
Within the last few days fully 1OC
intending settlers have arrived here, and
during the interval of waiting for the
opening of the reservation have located
pre- emption claims on the beautiful
prairies Of Craigs mountain, which arr
cut in twain by the reservation line
These people are wise in their generation
for, instead Of living in idleness durin!
the year that must elapse before th'
authorities can complete the allotmen
and treaty, they are securing title to
quarter section of land as fine as ever
crow few over, and which is Away
valuable property, and which, moreover
affords them a home convenient to th
promised land where they can keep poste'
on the development aud progress Of tn
work on the reserve. When the bar
are let down these people will be on tn
spot to locate their homesteads on tn
most fruitful soil on the continent
What these people are doing others ca
do. The great prairies bordering Maso
creek, Willow creek and Lawyer
canyon afford homes for hundreds NOR,
homes where the soil is wonderful pre
life, we'll watered and timbered, an
where the climate is so genial that stoc
pull through the winter without feed.
/ But it is not alone in the opening {
the 100000 acres OF surplus land on Ii
reservation, though that in itself is n
small item, that the beneficial effect vi
be felt, for it must be understood th'
the boundary lines Of the reservation al
50 located that they have practically kel
under lock and key the best part Of Idat
Territory, by commanding the outlet
the whole Of the Clearwater basin au
the western slope Of the Bitter Ro'
mountains-a region as large as scol
Of European empires, and lowered wit
an infinite variety and profusion
natures richest gifts. Commencing 81
miles above Lewiston the reservation HI
water front on both sides of the Clea
water river and its tributaries Of IL
miles-has been closed BY the reserv
ton, and it has been practically scale
territory in possession Of an Indian tri5
} This tributary country extends fro
Coeur dAlene on the north to Saline
river on the south, and it is region ri,
in prairie, meadow aud pasture !anda
The western slope Of the Bitter Ro