The Anaconda standard., 1895-12-05
AN ANCIENT TREATY
Hon. L G. Denny Possesses a Docu-
ment Of Unusual Interest
1T WAS MADE JULY 16, 1855
A Compact Entered Into Between
the Indians and Agents OF the
United States Government
Familiar Names.

Ofissoula, Dec. 4.-Hon. I. @. Denny
has In his possession a document which
is Of considerable interest just now, in
view of the recent discussion which has
arisen regarding the jurisdiction OF
county officers within the limit of the
reservation This document Is a copy
of the treaty between the United States
and the Flathead, Kootenai and Upper
Pend d'Oreille Indians, which was
signed July 16. 1855. at He'll Gate. and
ratified April Is. 1859. This copy of the
treaty was given to Mr.. Denny by
Charles Shaft, who for years was a
well-known resident OF Western Mon
tana. and who served as agency clerk
at Jocko after the reservation wss es-
tablished. There are a few old timers
In Missoula, who remember the signing
OF the treaty. The conference which
resulted in the agreement between the
Indians and the government represent
atives was held at Hell Gate, a few
miles below Missoula, and was attend
"a by the chiefs of the three tribes con-
oerned and their counsellors. The in
troductory text of the treaty is as fol-
bows,
James Buchanan, president of the
United States Of America. to all and
singular to whom these presents shall
come, greeting: Whereas treaty was
made and concluded at the treaty
ground. at He'll Gate. in the Bitter Root
valley. on the sixteenth day of July,
eighteen hundred and fifty-hve. be-
= tween Isaac l. Stevens, governor and
superintendent of Indian affairs for the
territory of Washington, on the part
OF the United States, and the herein
after named chiefs, headmen and dele
gates of the confederated tribes of the
Flathead. Kootenay and Upper Pend
dOreilles Indians. on behalf of and
acting for said confederated tribes and
duly authorized thereto, by them, which
treaty Is in the words and figures fol-
lowing, to-wit:
ARTICLES Of agreement and conven-
ton made and concluded at the treaty
ground at He'll Gate in the Bitter Root
valley this sixteenth day of July, in the
year one thousand eight hundred and
ffty-hve, by and between Isaac /. Ste
vens. governor and superintendent of
Indian affairs for the territory of
Washington, on the part of the United
States, and the undersigned chiefs,
headmen and delegates Of the confed-
Grated tribes of the Flathead, Koote-
nay and Upper Pend d'Orellles Indians.
on behalf OF and acting for said con-
federated tribes and being duly author
lied thereto by them: 1t being under
stood and agreed that the said confed-
Grated tribes do constitute a nation.
with Victor, the head chief of the Flat
head tribe, as head chief of the said
nation. and that the several chiefs,
headmen and delegates. whose names
are signed TO this treaty, do hereby, in
behalf Of their respective tribes recog-
nize Victor as said head chief
Then follows the text of the treaty.
Article 1 describes the metes and
bounds of the land ceded to the govern
ment by the Indians, commencing on
the main ridge of the Rocky mountains
at the 18th parallel of latitude, thence |
west to the divide between the Koote- |
nay and Clark's Fork; thence south |
and southeast to the 115th meridian;
thence southwest to the divide between |
the st. Regis. Borgaa and the Occur |
dAlene rivers; thence south on the |
main range OF the Bitter Root to the |
koos-koos-kee divide; then east to the |
place of beginning.
Article IL reserves for the use and |
property OF the Indians what is now |
known as the Flathead reservation and 1
specifies the rights and privileges of /
the Indians on the reserve. The land
reserved Is to belong exclusively to the
Indians. and no whites shall be allowed |
TO live on II; any improvements made
py indians which they are compelled
TO abandon shall be paid for and until
such payment is made the Indian need
not leave his land.
Article III provides for the granting
OF right Of way for roads through the
reservation and permitting Indians to
lraVei u over such right OF way. although
II belongs TO the owners of the road
This article also grants to the Indians
exclusive hunting and fishing rights
within the reservation
Article Nv provides for the rnanner
OF payment OF the $4,000 which the
government paid for the land ceded
Article V binds the eoyernment 10
esoaohsh an agricultural and indus
triaI school, blacksmith shop, Carpenter
snop and wagon shop. and TO fi,rnish
mem tools and to employ farmers.
Diacksmatns' timers. gunsmiths, car.
INDIANS in these trades. The erection
OF mills and a hospital and their aoa,In-
ment are also agreed TO.
Inc remaining articles provide >or
tne allotment OF the reserved land
- sne tne ihdians; for the allegiance
. =. the confederated tribes to the limited
states. TOR the exclusion of ardent snIr-
ls from the reservation; for the nro-
tectlon by the government of the fiti.
70 the land against the Huds,n Rsy
,D,olnpAny or others; and for the estab-
ilsning OF the old Bitter Root rasar,,s
taon above the ''Loo-lo'' fork of ~ p,e
ter Root. o' the oit-
Inc treaty Is signed by Governor
stevens ana by Victor, head chief Of
tne flathead nation; Alexander chief
OF the Upper Pend d'Oreilles: Michaua
chler OF the Kootenays; Ambrose. Pah'
son. Bear Track. Adolph, Thundar
Big canoe. Kootel Chah. Paul. An
Grew. Michele and Battiste. Kooten-
ays: and Gun Flint, Lille ,NIcheIia
Paul See and Moses.
Ine signatures are attested by James
Doty' secretary; r. II. Lansdale. In
d1an agent; W. II. Tappan. sub-Indian
agent; Henry r. Crosire, Gustavus
Sohon. interpreter; A. J. Hoecken. mis-
William Craig.
Inc names OF the Indian signers are
familiar 10 old residents OF these val
leys and 10 students OF Montana his (
tory. Paul See, one of the signers
was the father OF La-la-see. one OF
the Indians who was executed by
Sheriff Houston for murder. His ar