The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1895-03-22
MONEYED REDMEN.
Yankton Indians Who Are Wen
Fixed Financially.
The Tribe Receives Large Sums OF
Money from the Government for
Lands surrsndered-Condltio
OF the Purchase.

The treaty negotiated by the gov
ernment with the Yanlxton tribe of
Sioux Indiana renders this tribe one of
the most wealthy in the country If
they exercise ordinary judgment, says
4 writer in the Minneapolis Tribune.
The treaty WAS completed December
81, 1892, and by its provisions the In
dians will receive 100000 as payment
for the 10000 acres relinquished to
the government, and to be opened to
white settlement whenever President
Cleveland issues a proclamation to that
effect, which viii probably not be un-
til next spring. Fifty-one YanlSton In
dians acted as scouts for Gen. Alfred
Sully in 1864, and for additional COM
pensation were by the treaty granted
1925 each, or a total Of s11, ,475. This
amount has already been distributed
among them. The difficulty now ex-
isting is over the payment Of 100000,
the first payment by the government
for the land surrendered. The treaty
says the amount is to be paid and
divided among the Indians per capita.
The disbursing officer at the agency
commenced paying the Indians with
checks, as is customary, and this
caused protest on the part of the In
dians. 1t was understood among the
bankers in the adjoining towns that
the checks would be cashed without
discount, but the Indians appear not to
relish the trip which would be neces-
sary in going from the agency to any
of the towns. They want the amount
paid in cash at the agency. AS the
whims of Indians are usually acceded
to it is likely that they will win their
point.
The remaining $780, 900, placed to the
credit Of the tribe, will be payable to
the Indians at the pleasure of the
United States after the expiration OF
twenty-five years. But during the trust
period of twenty-five years, if the me-
cessities of the Indians shall require it,
The United States may pay such part OF
the principal sum as the secretary of
the interior may recommend, but not
exceeding $1,000 in any one year. Upon
the payment of such sum the amount
shall be deducted from the principal
sum in the treasury, and the United
States shall thereafter pay interest on
the remainder Not to exceed $4,000
is to be expended each year for the
maintenance of orphans, the aged and
infirm, or such other helpless members
of the tribe as may be unable to take
care of themselves; and for schools and
educational purposes for the tribe; also
for courts of justice. Each person who
signed the treaty is to receive $40 gold
I zee, struck in the year 1892, as me-
mortal Of the year in which the treaty
was negotiated. These Indians have
taken their allotments of land in
severalty, and it is the surplus which
is to be opened TO settlement. The
treaty provides that where any Indian
cannot cultivate his land or otherwise
use it advantageously it may be leased
for one or more years at time. To
prevent the possibility of land sharks
securing possession of the land,. all
leases must be approved by the Indian
agent, by and with the consent of the
commissioner of Indian affairs. This
provision applies alike to both sexes
and to all ages, parents acting for their
children who are under their control,
and the Indian agent acting for minor
children who have no guardians.