The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-10
AGENT EELLS' REPLY.
He Will Guard the Rights Of
Puyallup Indians.
THREATS WILL NOT DETER HIM.
The Indians Declared 70 Re Poor Finan.
eiers and Liable to Become Vie.
time OF Lsnd Spectators.

TACOMA, March Especial. Agent
Eelis, OF the Puyailup Indian reservation,
said today, regarding the charges made by
the Indians that he did not represent their
wishes in she matter of opening the reser-
walton:
l act upon instructions from the Indian do
partment 1t is and has been my opinion that
the Indians A rule are not capsule OF han
ding so large sum of money would be real
lied by them II their lands were sold direct by
them. and sold for what they are worth. II the
lands were left TO them to sell they and tho res
crvation would be as so much carrion. to be sur
rounded by land sharks II they had q large
amount OF money they would spend it, and that
would be the end of their fortunes. The whole
move to allow the Indians to dispose of their
lands IL for the purpose of giving the holders Of
contracts chance to get even
II has been said that Agent Eells was
prompted bv the Northern Pacific in re-
fusing to allow the Indians to grade rail-
road for Frank c. Ross through the
reservation. Agent Eells says:
do not know what are the wishes OF the
Northern Pacific in this matter and | should nos
be governed by them If did. am in favor,
personally, OF all the roads getting q right0f-
way through the reservation. do not like to
see anybody attempt 70 steal a right-of-way
through the lands of the Indians. Why dont
the Great Northern and the Union Pacific, il
they desire rieht-of-way, go to congress for Il,
make q clean breast of the whole situation and
get right-ofway in the usual and proper man
ner?
Regarding the petitions which are being
circulated and signed. asking President
Cleveland to remove him and appoint w.
b. Kelley. of Sumner. Agent Eells says
that an effort was made to remove him
~ts~< 49, a IA H. l.
care so much for the position any way.
This statement was also made by Agent
Eells:
The Indians realize that this 10 NOT good
time to sell their landa Land 10 low now, and
the Indian Is nobody's fool.
He said this in reply to question re-
garding the statement of Peter Stanup and
other leading Indians that they would not
allow the government to take charge Of
their lands and sell it for them and hold Q
Eels then added:
selling. An Indian will 20 q long way for Q
little money. As soon - the land 10 appraised
and offered for sale. - provided by the bill
which has passed congress, guess the Indian
will be willing and glad to sell
According to the bill. the lands, after be.
ing appraised, are not to be sold at price
below the appraised value, nor until the
Indians petition for the sale. Should .
sale be made. however, there is nothing to
prevent the Indian who HIS borrowed
money on . contract from returning tho
same to the man loaning the cash. Of this
sort of an arrangement, Mr.. Eels says that
white men are not apt to pay adebt unless
they are Obliged to do so, and he does not
think the Indian will do SO either. Many
of the original holders of patents being
dead. he does not think . right-of-way by
purchase could be secured under the Will.
son bill in less than fourteen or eighteen
months.