The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1893-12-08
correspondence and County Notes.

HOODS CANAL Dec. 5, 1898.
In connection with the recent visit
of Agent E. Eells to the reservation,
we learn some of the bitter hostility of
Tacoma and her newspapers to him.
The land of the Puya1lup Indians
is very valuable, and there are a large
number of persons who wish to get
hold of it. They have wished Mr..
Ee1ls to help them get it and he has
constantly declined. At one time he
was requested to become a silent part
ner in a company of FIVE. who were to
use the water front after it should be
obtained. He was to invest no money,
but simply keep quiet so that the 9th
ers could have their way, and perhaps
occasionally lend a little silent inf1u-
ence to further the scheme. He was
told that his share of the profit would
be a hundred thousand dollars! He
declined, and hence, some of TacOma's
most prominent citizens became op-
posed to him.
The patents issued to the Indians al
low them to rent their land but not to
sell it. Quite a number of them were
induced to rent their land to prOni-
nent white persons, who wished it, not
to cultivate, but to make the rental of
it a stepping stone to the purchase of
it; the papers being drawn in such a
manner, that they would be a deed in
case the Indians should be allowed to
SELL and the amount paid on rent was
to apply as part payment for the land
the whole amount to be paid being
very much less than it's real worth.
Then one of Tacomas most influential
citizens was sent to Washington to
lobby a bill through to allow the citi-
zens to sell the land. But that part
was failure, as an entirely different
bill was passed. Fooled at this, these
rental papers, of no value unless the
Indians were allowed to sell the land,
were given to those who were believed
would have the most influence against
the Agent, especially to those who
ruled the newspapers, certain members
of the Chamber of Commerce, and
even one or two ministers and other
prominent citizens so that it should
become a personal matter to them to
oppose the Agent, and use the press
against him. So he is power1ess to de-
fend himself publicly. even if he
wished to do SO, or to do much except
to go forward and do what he believes
to be his duty. The. Indians, too, have
been patted on the back by these land
grabbers and told how smart they are,
and able to take care of their proper
ty without the protection of Congress,
and hence are very anxious to be al
lowed to sell all their land. The In
dian committee of Congress and the
Indian Department at Washington,
however, take a different view of the
matter, from these spectators, as
many years ago in other States, such
men defrauded thousands of Indians
out of land which had been patented
to them, but which they were allowed
to sell, and the Indians were in a few
years back on the hands of govern
nlent.
School began at Union City yester-
day, Mrs. G. w. Kennicott, teacher.
This is the third year she has taught
there, which speaks we'll for her.
The new warehouse at Union City
has been completed on the new mill
wharf, and the old one and old wharf
will soon be dispensed with.
Thanksgiving passed off very quiet
ly. AT the reservation after church
services, Mr.. and Mrs. r. D. Shut in
vited all the white people to their
house, where they partook together
of bountiful dinner, and the after
noon was spent in social converse and
singing.> There is, by the way, an ex-
cellent set of people on the reservation
now, who are exceedingly friendly to
each other, and work together very
tremendously; far more so than has
often been the case, This is largely
due to civil service reform, as none of
the government employees are politi-
cal appointees. Other people in the
region as far as we learn also had din
ner on that day.
Quite number of affidavits of Ind
ians in regard to the death of Joseph
Nadir, were taken last week before
c. NJ. Brooks, Notary Public. We I'M
derstand that all the evidence obtain
able is being collected to see if there
is enough to warrant the arrest of
anybody.
A post-office has been established at
10 Harmon bay with the name of
Holly. R. Wyatt is to be postmaster.
1t is long felt want.
Miss Carrie McCullagh began school
last week at Tahooya. S.