The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1895-02-21
ISALANO OF PROMISE
Nez Perez Reservation Soon to
Be Open for Settlement
HOMESTEAD REQUIREMENTS
Climate, Moisture and suscepiib'l ~ Of
Cultivation All Tend Make
Excellent Place to Settle.

Lewiston, Idaho, Feb. 17.-Spokane
has hitherto failed to grasp the full
significanceof the Nez Perez reservation
as a factor in her own immediate af-
fairs. This much she must begin to UNI
derstand and consider: One hundred
miles distant, south, there is a country
which has reached a higher plane of
domestic development and of material
greatness than has yet been attained
in any of the surrounding country. Its
social superiority is but the logical evo-
luton by which mellowing time and
genial temperature produce a more
finely constructed human organization
than is usual among a people exposed
to the viscitltudes of desultory habita-
lions and unkind climates. And, in the
same way, a sort of generous conspira-
'cy of the elements has created there a
small scope of country of exceptional
excellence. The two conditions accom-
pany and explain each other. 1t requir-
ed unusual natural conditions to attract
and attach the better order of people;
when each had proved and satisfied the
other, the association became an ANAL
gamation, as 1t We're and higher results
than ordinary in both moral and mate
rial respects have consequently ensued.
but the same natural conditions
which attracted the whites in the coun-
try which is enclosed in the approximate
ing embrace of the Clearwater and
Snake rivers had previously appealed
to the discriminating vision of the Nez
Perez Indians, and they had taken pos
session of about 900 square miles of the
territory. The people at the forks of
the river, therefore, had to take what
was left and, it is needless to say, that
the children of nature had not left the
best. But that the remaining lands
were of superior worth is not a matter
of speculation, since the Industrial
greatness and temporal delights of the
little city of Lewiston are the admira-
ton and envy of all other communities
in the northwest. But the Indians have
now sold about two-thirds of their lands
TO the government and these lands are
soon TO become heavily peopled.
THE SUPPLYING CENTER.
In addition to the 5000 happy and
prosperous people in Nez Perez county,
the present year will undoubtedly bring
in 10000 and perhaps 10000 more. This
population must have a metropolis.
Lewiston, Juliaetta, Genesee, Cotton
wood and Grangeville will accommo-
date the local requirements, but there
still must be a source of supplies for
these points. There are but two posi-
BILE competitors for the commerce-Spo-
kane, 1875 miles distant; Portland, 400
miles away. You will say there is real
iy but one mart then. Almost true, but
unbelievable as you deem it, it is Port
land. The Oregonian reported a few
month ago that the traffic receipts,
both ways, of the Lewiston division of
he g. "a limo
year were slightly in excess of 100000.
and this also includes shipments to and
from the Camas prairie. This state
ment ought to be significant to the bust
ness men of Spokane.
HOMESTEAD REQUIREMENTS
The act under which the treaty of
sale with the Nez Perez Indians was
ratified by congress left the plan and
details of placing the lands upon the
market at the discretion of the admin
istration. A recent interview with the
secretary of the interior reported him
as favoring a scheme requiring
First-Actual occupancy by bona fide
settlers entitled to homestead rights.
Second-Allotting each tract to the
highest bidder. of the paying class.
without reference to priority of filing or
occupancy.
1t is very likely that some similar
plan will be reported in order to avoid
the scenes and scandals of other recent
openings.
The minimum price to be paid to the
government is 1915 per acre, payable,
one-half when the allotment is made,
the balance in three years, but, as the
terms are easy, the price will be no
detriment. The government is to pay
the Indians 1,626,222, or at the rate of
SO per acre for 542,O74 acres. The first
payment is $626,222 cash, and the pay
roll is now being made out for this pur-
pose. The payment will be made
through Colonel John Lane, special
treasury agent, and will be in treasury
drafts. Arrangements have been made
with the Lewiston National bank and
the First National bank of Lewiston to
cash the drafts at par. These banks
have arranged for the use of sufficient
additional cash to enable them to han
die the drafts promptly. The-payments
to minors and dependent members of a
family will all be made to the head OF
a household. so that while there are
1867 Indians of all ages of record there
will be only about 900 checks, and they
will average 81, 900 each.
payroll and forward it to Washington
within one week, it being already some
what overdue, owing to the fatal NAL
ady of his associate in the work, Indian
Agent Joseph Robinson. On August i
next another payment of $4,000 will b.
due, and on the same day of each fol
lowing year sl50,000 more and interes
will be paid, until the full sum is ex
hausted. Besides this steady cash re
source, every adult Indian has been al
lotted 100 acres. and to minor and de
pendents from 40 to 80 acres each. The
cannot convey this land for % years
There is not on earth another communi
ty so well provided for as the Nez Perc
Indians.
PHYSICAL ADVANTAGES.
The reservation is bisected east an
west by the Clearwater river whic
again forks and divides 1t both mort
and south. Numberless affiuents plo
through IL in every direction. Snak
river flows along its western horde
about eight miles distant Along II
southern line lies the beautiful an
prolific Camas prairie country. Jul
beyond its eastern border rise spurs