Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1892-04-29


times larger than Rhode Island and about
one-tenth as large as Pennsylvania. This
vast territory is inhabited by less than
LOCO people, according to the census of
1890 of whom GS3 are males over eighteen
years old.
The population comprises the remnants
of eight tribes, viz, the Colvilles, Lakes,
Okanogans, Nesplems, COlumbias Me
thows, san Puells and Chief JOscph's band
of Ncz Perces, in former years one of the
most hostile and troublesome of the Pacific
coast tribes. The largest of these tribes,
the Okanogans, numbers but 3i1 persons
all told, and the smallest the Nespilems,
numbers but g.. Other inhabitants are
considerable number of "squaw men"
(whites who have married Indian or half
breed wives but who have no other tribal
relations or possessory rights and few
white settlers who took up government
land prior to the creation of the reserva-
ton.
The Colville reservation was created by
executive act during Presidents Grants
administration, the first occupation by In
dians being in 1872. Prior to that time the
several tribes were in nomadic condition
and did not recognize the guardianship or
protection of the government. Since that
ment on the reserve, for the most part
along the banks and in the fertile valleys of
the Columbia, Okanogan, san Pucll, Bona
parte and Kettle rivers. Their summers
are spent in "shacks," or huts, rudely con-
structed of logs or if the family be well to
do. the domicile is more pretentious and
built Of rough pine boards. In the winter,
as matter of greater comfort, they hud-
die together in the traditional tepee. Ow-
ing to the Jealous ministratons of the
Jesuts. who established a mission near old
Fort Colville in the thirties. the Indians
have attained II degree of intelligence and
civilization far above the average standard
and the majority of them are inclined tC
industry and thrift. But after all, and
/ Notwithstanding the restraints and disci
pline of the Jesuit fathers, they are-In
dians.
In 1890 the commissioner of Indian af
fairs at the national capital appointed {
commission to treat with the Indians for
/ portion of this reserve and in May, 1891
/ this commission met with them in Il coun
ell of all the tribes and treaty was mad,
and ratified, being signed by jW Indians
whereby they coded to the government
/ 100000 acres, or little more than til,
north half of the reserve. For this the gov
| ernment agrees to pay Sl,JOO.UoO bullt
school houses, Il blacksmith shop saw
mill, furnish necessary instructors and OPP
orators, give each Indian over cighteel
years old eighty acres of land in sevcralty
and make special grants in cash to certair
chiefs. Thetreaty was subsequently rattle,
by the commissioner of Indian affairs ant
secretary of the interior, and received til,
Endorsement of President Harrison.
To secure to the people this valuabi
tract of land requires an act of congress
appropriating from the public funds II SUI
ficient sum for it's purchase, and Favorable
action is almost assured.
The western portion of the reservation i
beautiful, rolling country, but marrow
strip bordering on the Columbia is of
rugged and mountainous character, and i
abounds in streams and fertile valleys. 4
large portion of the land is arabic, although
probably not over 500 acres are now unde
cultivation. While the valleys yield pro
lifically of cereals and vegetables, the bencl
lands, even at an elevation of 1000 feet, ar
not less fertile, and are capable of produc
ing enormous crops In other portions O
Stevens county, bordering on the reserva
ton, better crops are garnered on tn
bench lands than ON the bottoms.