New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1889-10-16
THEIR TASK DONE,
Work Of the Chippewa Commission
Comes to Successful Ter
minatiOn.

l. / : i = K
Mile Laos Indians at Last Ac-
cept the Terms of the
Treaty.
BRA1NERD, Special Telegram, Ispecial-The
Mile Laos have at last accepted the terms
offered through the Chippewa commission
| it having been as arduous task as any
branch of the negotiations. Long councils
were held in the woods on Friday.
although a cold wind made it
exceedingly uncomfortable, not only for the
white men present at the conference. but.
Judging from the manner in which the In
dams held their blankets for the red men
also. But as the Oldest chief rose at the
opening of the mornings council and re-
moved his dilapidated hat from his scanty
gray locks he remarked that the result
of the council would probably be propitious,
as the commissioners could observe by look
Ing at the armament that the clouds had dis
appeared and Judging by the pleasant
weather providence Wah faVoring them. He
gave the commission to understand that the
ing that the time would be devoted
to asking questions ana reminding them
that, as the weather was very nice, no papers
spread out would suffer from rain, so he re-
quested that if the commission had a nap it
be produced that they might see the size of
| their reservation, that it might not only
be witnessed by the audience, but by
one on high who saw al things.
map of all the reservations was laid on
the table, and the location and size of all
the reservations in the state explained. But
when the Mile Laos reservation was reached
1t was discovered that the Indians under
stood the llae OF land which they have
right to occupy extended three miles further
north on the west shore Of the lake than the
boundary stated in the treaty, and
sUBsTANTIATE THEIR CLAIM
by showing that one of the trea. ties provided
that certain number of acres on the res
erVatlon should be broken, and that the land
actually broken was within the disputed ter
rltory, which has, however, since been pat
ented by the government, and is now occupied
by we'll cultivated farms. This matter was
brought out by the old chief, who said he
was The only living Indian witness of the
signing of the tre'tv, at which time, he said,
Mr.. Rice was also p: sent. He was told that
the matter could Avo be adjusted at once, but
must be reported to the department.
The Mile Laos have had so slight a hold
on their reservation that tho COM
missioners anticipated their repeated inqui-
ries as to the provisions of the act of con-
gress relative to their continued residence
on this reservation. One Indian asked that
the "White Rice" tell them if il were
really true that the government wished
to purchase the farming land and
the pinery, saying the young men had
asked him to use the very best Chippewa he
knew in stating the question. He also
wanted to know what the children born in
the tribe hereafter would do for land aud
delicatelY intimated that there would be
good many children. Mr.. Rice told them
they would receive all the land needed by
their bands now or at any future time,
and stated that a white man. no matter
if he had dozen children, received from
the government only 100 acres, while an
Indian, with the same number of progeny
under age, was now offered $50 acres
WHAT THEY NEED.
One of the chiefs declared that they needed
a saw mill, blacksmith shoemakers, ply
sician and an overseer. The com M issioners
replied that the government did not propose
eat tough meat but that they would re-
was necessary for their advancement.
The morning session then adjourned,
after polite request by the Indians that
they be shown a specimen of the prowess in
hunting of DR.. Whiting of the commission,
who was reputed among them to be great
sportsman, to which the doctor loosely re-
piled that he sent a government bullet after
moose with long tail. After din
ner the Indians resumed the propounding
of questions in relation to damages Ly the
reservoirs, the cutting OF nay upon the
reservation by whites. when they might hunt
deer, holding land purchased outside of the
reservation oy those entitled to receive ailot-
menrs aud annuities, all OF which seemed to
be answer answered = satisfactorily; as at
morning it was evident that few were get
ting their heads above tine sea of doubt in
which up to that time they had been i'm
mersed. one of the leading braves in address
made would settle all their past troubles;
that their Oldest friend, Mr.. Rice, had been
sent by the great father, and that they should
not be fools, but
ACCEPT THE OFFER MADE
The speaker then referred to mixed blood
who was among them getting names for
some purpose, and said there was not man,
woman or child among them who would
give him their names for any purpose, add
ing. 1--WE do not wish to drive him away let
him stay, and whenever he gets ready to
start, let him 60"
This revealed the method of procedure of
the person named, who had followed the
commission around from Leech Lake, where
he arrived after the pillagers had signed the
agreement for the purpose, it is supposed. of
obtaining the consent of the Indians that
he be Empowered to act as their at
torney in the collection of some old
claims At The afternoon council one of the
Indians made quasi apology for tie speech
referring to him. made in the morning and
disclaiming any hostility toward the mixed
blood, but whether the explanation or
apology originated with the Indians or was
instigated by the gentleman named, did
not appear. The last council held
Saturday afternoon brought out persistent
inquiries about the annuities which have
been due for several years and the probable
time for payment The commissioners told