The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-03-25
The Privy Council Apologize for
Depredations Of Stony Indians
in Montana.
No Modus Vivendi In the Matter
OF Killing Game in This
State.
Tho Council Think tho Complaints Eek
aggeratsd Aad Says Drive this
Indians Back.

Gov. Toole has received from the state
department copies OF the official corre-
spondence between Assistant Secretary of
State Wharton and the American CONSUL at
Ottawa. with references to depredations
committed by a band of Stony Indians
from Canada in Missoula county last Au-
gust. Richard g. Lay, tho American con-
sui at Ottawa, brought the matter before
Hon. q. Dewdnsy, minister Of the interior,
stating that q band of Indians from the
Northwest Territory. of Canada. had re-
MANNED in Miasoula county three weeks OF
more; that at the time of the raid the
county was thronged with elk, deer. moose
and mountaiE4 goats, and that ths Indians
wholly destroyed this game, which at that
time waa the ''elose season. On Fob. 10
a committee of ths priyy council took up
the complaint and their action was ap-
proved by the governor general. The fol
lowing certified copy Of an approved minute
of the council is included in the CORE
spondence: "On a reportdated 26 January,
1892, from the superintendent general Of
Indian affairs, stating with reference to
the letter, dated Ottawa, Sd November, 1891,
from the consul general Of the United
States Of America, for the province OF
Ontario and to the communication from
his excellency, the governor Of Montana,
enclosed in tho consul generals letter and
addressed 70 the honorable the secretary q
state, Washington, said Communication
being dated at Helena, on Oct. %, 1891, and
to the letter which accompanied the latter
document from the United States suryeyor
general OF Montana, reporting 9 depreda-
ton in August last BY . band Of Indians
from Canada in the state OF Montana. near
Mcdonald Tor Terry) lake, in which il j.
stated that the Indians referred to re
manned three weeks or more, and that ct
the time Of their arrival the county wad
th.onRed with elk. deer. moose and noun
tain goats. and that the Indians wholly do
stroyed the game during the term of their
visit, which was the close season; that
copies of the letter from the consul general
of the United States and OF the doou-
ments which accompanied il As above dc.
scribed were forwarded on the Goth OF
November last to the Indian commissions
at Manitoba and the northwest territories,
with the request that he would report on
the statements contained in these docu-
menta and recommend what steps should
in his opinion be taken to prevent . reour-
renee Of the alleged depredations.
1.-The minister further states that on the
18th Of January last, the commissioner re-
ported. as the result Of careful enquiry
made into the statements contained in the
papers sent him, that it had been ascer-
tained that a Stony Indian named Dixon
had been absent from the reserve for q veal
past With 1 party numbering twsnty-fy
souls, inclusive of men, women and chill.
dren. and that sinoe the said Dixon had .
wooden leg and the description Of the party
complained of in the papers forwarded b3
the consul general correspondent to that ex-
tent with the said Dixon, it seems probable
that the party with him was the one re-
ferred to a. having committed the depreda-
lions complained Of; that since. however
the said Dixon and his party are in the
United States, and are not likely to return
this winter, nothing definite can be aaoer-
tanned as to their connection with the al.
lepad depradAtions. The commissions
further reports that a number OF Stony In
dams admit that they were south OF the
boundary line during the course OF last
summer, but they stated that the Indians
in whose country they hunted are friends
and raised no objection to their hunting u
their country; that these Indians positively
denv having killed either moose or red
deer; and from what they say it seems al
together probable that the alleged depreda.
tions, if committed by Indians from Gan
ada at all, have been greatly exaggerated
1.-THE minister further observes mat the
eluulHu COulul6EROAOA bt~sCO eANS 49, -
speots the best method to adopt to prevent
a recurrence Of any similar depredations
on the part of the Indians from Canada
the most effective measure would, in al
probability be, for the American authorl-
ties to cause the Indians from the Canadian
side Of the line to be turned back when
they make their appearance, and the com.
missioner is of opinion that if this were
lone on one or two occasions the Indiana
would without doubt discontinue their ex
cursions across the boundary line.
The minister oonours in the recommen-
dation made by the Indian commissions
for Manitoba and the northwest territories
and he further recommends that in reply
ing to the consul general Of the United
States, at Ottawa, an expression Of regret
of the Canadian government should be
given for the depredations said to have
been committed by Indinns from Canada
and a suggestion made that this stepi
recommended by the Indian commissions
of Manitoba and the northwest territories,
in order to prevent a recurrence of simila'
depredations should be adopted by the
authorities in the state of Montana.
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