The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-10
THE PUYALLUP LANDS.
Why the Soldiers Are Camped
on the Reservation.
STATEMENT BY AGENT EELLS.
Walla Walla Grand Jury Suggests a
Transfer Of Soldiers.
STATEMENT BY AGENT EELLs.
Colonel Compton-David Montgom-
cry Acquitted OF Murder at Snoho-
mish-The State Reform School.

ernment troops now camped at the Puy-
allup Indian reservation are still hanging
fire in the matter of evicting the squatters
on the reservation school farm, CORE
spondent of the PosT-INTELLIGENcER today
called upon Agent Eells for an explana-
ton.
"The funny part of the whole proceeding"
said the agent, sis the fact that the squatters
are now more anxious to get off the reservation
than we are to get them off. They are sick and
tired OF staying out there in their shacks. The
wives of two of the squatters refuse to inhabit
the shacks of their spouses, and one woman re-
mains out there all the time, while the remain
der OF the men come out alone every night"
The laws delay, it appears, is now what
is tormenting the squatters, and Agent
Eells says that Judge Wickersham, who is
engineering the scheme, has all he can do
to make them live up to the requirements
of the land laws and remain on the coveted
school farm.
sAnd another amusing side of the dilemma"
continued Mr.. Eclls, sis the muddle Judge Al
lyn, of the superior court, has, no doubt
unwittingly, put the matter in. He
continues the restraining order, pre-
venting US from ejecting the squatters,
by ordering the question up to Judge Hanford's
court for adjustment. But Judge Allyn's order
has not been executed. He ordered, but the
question has not budged, and it won't either,
until the court goes down into its pocket and
pays for the transcript and transfer of the papers
Either party to the question might have moved
for a transfer of the matter but the court cannot
do it without paying the costs"
Politics, it seems, have crept into the
litigation. according to Agent Eells' story.
Mr.. Roedriger and Mr.. Mcintyre are two
of the proprietors of the Ncws, and Mr..
Harriott is one of the assistants of Allen
C. Mason, once the sole proprietor of the
Ne,rs, and the other squatter, Mr.. Morri-
son, is Mr.. Harriott's brother-in-law. OF
course Mr.. Mason is not interested, but as
two of the proprietors of the Necs are, the
Ledger accuses the Ncws of suppressing the
news relative to the movements of
the squatters. Mr.. Berry, another squat
ter, was also formerly part owner of the
Ncws. "And while many Republicans
voted for Judge Allyn, Democrat" says
Agent Eells, che was to all intents and
purposes elected by the News. And so
when was instructed to drive off the
squatters, Judge Allyn humors them by
issuing a restraining order. He has no
jurisdlction.-he told me so today. He has
now muddled the whole affair by ordering
the case to the United States district court
without paying for the cost of transfer.
'What will be the upshot of the restraining
order of the state court, and the presence of
troops on the reservation"
"Why, when We get ready, suppose we shall
evict the squatters and there the matter will
end. Trouble Is not probable But there would
no doubt have been trouble had respected the
order OF Judge Allyn, and obeyed the order of
the government. In that event the Indian DO
lice and the sheriff would have had fight
Knowing the government would not lose any
advantage, gave way"
Agent Eells predicts failure for the squat
ters from the fact that their claim, if true.
would undermine hundreds of reservations
in the country which have been set aside
by executive order. The squatters hold
that the reservation school farm was not
granted in severalty to the Indians. and
that the president had no right to set aside
the reservation at all. Three years ago
the farm was filed on for homestead pur-
poses, but the department decided against
the filers.
"The only thing the squatters can hope for"
the agent concluded, ais to get some court-and
they are evidently feeling around for some
court-to mandamus the secretary of the in.
terror into admitting their claim. Boshr'
Agent Eells has been notified by the de-
partment of the interior that no rail-
road can cross the reservation under
any condition or claim wbatso-
ever. While individual Indians have
signed contract giving Frank C. Ross
right-of-way through their propertv.
Agent Eells says that the government will
not permit Mr.. Ross to build his road to
Puyallup, and to prevent any ATTEMPT
being made, he says, is one of the reasons
why government troops have been station
ed on the reservation. Neither will condem.
nation proceedings work, the agent saws. as
that would be equivelant to forced sale.
and the Indians cannot give a right-of-
way, the land under their patents not be-
ing subject to levy, sale or forfeiture. Com
demnation proceedings have already been
instituted by one company desiring to
build direct line from Tacoma to Puy.
allup.
The Ross contract, the agent saws. calls
for strip of ITO feet of land and gives
Ross immediate possession, with a prom
ise to pay for the land ninety days after
congress shall remove the Restrictions
which now prevent the Indians from sell
ing. The Northern Pacific was allowed
land to build an additional track because
it already had a charter and the right to
cross the reservation. Mr.. Eells saws the
troops will very likely remain a couple of
months. Lieutenant Cabell's orders were
TO reconnoiter and report, and await fur
ther orders. The soldiers are enioying