The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-27

ct al. The taking of evidence occupied
fore Special Indian Agent George p.
LItchfeld and Register j. c. Laurence. A
great deal OF prominence has been given
the case by the heated discussion Of its
merits IN the local peess, q course that has
not tended to harmonic the feeling long
existing among the warning factions The
clashing of interests dates back some time,
ana was made more complicated, or
at least more difficult to adjust, by a
course OF proceedings calculated to embftter
all concerned in the matter. The equities
In the case are not to be adjudicated by
your correspondent. He will cndeavor to
give an idea of the status of the case, con-
forming with tradition, rumor and evil
dence, leaving it to be disposed of by those
upon whose shoulders the unenviable re-
sponSibility rests. The lands that are
claimed by both the aboriglnes and white
men are located on the west side of the
Columbia river, and in juxtaposition to
both the Chelan river and lake. Some Of
]. Is rich, much of it is so situated that ir-
rigation is easy and is valuable for the
water power near at hand, and some is
years to come a hourishing town will
probably spring up. This choice spot was
formerly portion of the Columbia Indian
reservation, and at one time was occupied
as military post. In 1854 the Moses
treaty was ratified, by which the portion
OF the Columbia reservation in which is
located Okanogan county and the Chelan
In response to the notification to
the world that this was pub
lie land, a number of white
men gradually settled around the lake.
but when it came to filing they were con-
fronted by several Cnelan Indians, who
claimed large portion of the public do
main. The people who have chosen this
gent, progressive, wide-awake, enterpris-
ing citizens, class that would be a credit
TO any country. Naturally the conflicting
claims Of the two races has stirred up con-
siderable bad feeling. which has by no
means been improved by the interposition
of whites who have championed the cause
Of the Indian. Notwithstanding the fact
selection of lands in severalty, and fur
thermore that they have been advised and
almost implored to select their claims so
that the settler could take up land and feel
safe in improving the same, they have
always refused to designate any particular
tract, claiming everything in the vicinity.
Recently the Indians decided that they
wanted land, and insisted upon taking up
one mile square, in conformity with the
provisions of the Moses treaty Should
this right be accorded them the bounda-
ries Of their claims would engulf
a number of claims upon which
considerable improvements have been
made. 1t is not within the province of your
correspondent to enter into discussion
upon what may be his private views, as
the case is resting in the hands OF those
who are expected to render a decision,
which decision is open to ratification, mod
ification or notification by the higher
powers. As hereinbefore mentioned, it is
q matter of vast importance not only to
the settlers whose rights are involved, but
in its effect upon similar cases that may
come up in the state. The Indians who
figure in the case are known by the eupho-
NOUS expectations of Long Jim. Cultus
Jim and Chelan Bob. They claim to have
lived so long on the territory in dispute
that the memory of man runneth not to
the contrary. Long Jim claims to be a
descendant of q long line of Kings. The
blood OF whilom powerful chiefs courses
equal with Moses and the other chiefs
parties to the treaty of 1884, but through
some cause the old head of this fragment
OF disappearing race was not taken into
the council that made the treaty.
Jim OF considerable length and his
for share of the good things that the
from Uncle Sam, and hence the father and
son have never felt themselves bound by
the provisions of that treaty. The other
two Indians are subjects of Long Jim, and
they follow the dictations of that autocrat.
The trial was one that excited consider
able interest in local circles. A large dele
CATION of Indians were in attendance,
while the flower of the Chelan population
was on hand. The courtroom was uncom-
fortably crowded from day to day. There
was a brilliant array of legal talent pres
ent, and the tOrtuous course of testimony
was fought at every turning. X. w. Starr,
backed by his lieutenant, w. F. Allender,
a gentleman who has shown great kind
ness to the Indians, conducted the case
for the Indian claimants. while gathered
against him was Judge Case, Colonel Brad
ley, Judges Reneau and Nevarre. Register
J. c. Laurence and Special Indian Agent
George p. Litchfield sat as judges. These
gentlemen keenly felt the Importance of
their positions, and with praiseworthy
fairness ruled upon questions presented
with desire to act in spirit of justice to
all parties interested. They won golden
encomiums from all present, directly or
indirectly connected with the contro-
versy.
Special Indian Agent George P. Itch
field, of Salem, Or, is here. armed with
instructions from the department of which
he is most creditable representative. for
the purpose of looking after the interests
and welfare of the government red wards.
He finds much in his line of duty to
straighten out, and will be kept busy in
this vicinity for several weeks. He takes
a commendable pride in his work, has the
best interests of the service at heart, is a
conscientious official, easily approached,
affable in his treatment of all classes, and
is capable of accomplishing much good in
the way of adjudicating differences be-
tween the settlers and Indians.
Wednesday the community was shocked
by the news of the sudden death of DIR.
William H. Faulkner He was out on the
streets Tuesday, although not right we'll.
Tuesday night he was taken violently i'll,
and breathed his last at noon the follow
ing day. DIR. Faulkner resided in Water
vile several years, and has many friends
who will deeply regret his untimely de-
mise. He was highly educated and very
successful practitioner, and at one time
was connected in his professional charac-
ter with the army. Socially he was a
great favorite. A man of extensive travel
ist and genial disposition, his loss will
be seriously felt. The deceased was ma
tive Of Virginia and was highly con-
nected in the Old Dominion. An uncle
represents West Virginia at the present
time in the United States Senate. He was
an active member of the Masonic frater-
nifty, and the members of that order at
once took charge of the remains. Instruc-
tons have been received to ship the body
to Virginia.
A most amusing occurrence broke in
upon the monotony of life here recently,
and although an linking of the affair be-
come scattered through the population it
has not SO far blossomed forth in the local
papers. The joke is of such a titillating
character that those wholly in the secret