The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-09-28
COUNCIL OF PIEGANS
They Cede a Portion Of Their Reserve
10 the Government.
IT'S A LARGE TRACT OF LAND
The Treaty Is Concluded and the
Los VIII Soon Have More To-
bacco Money Than They
Can Judiciously Handle.

Great FANS, sept. Ei.-John ffuHsDeI-
ger OF Fort Benton came down from
Blackfoot to-day. where he had been
attending council OF Piegan Indians
regarding the cesslon OF part OF thelr
reserve to the government. To a
Standard reporter Mr.. Hunsberger said
The Piegans yesterday concluded
treaty with the commission sent 10
Blackfoot by the government. whereby
they cede to Uncle Sam that portion OF
the reservation lying between Birch
Greek. In Teton county. and the inter-
national boundary. The tract OF land
consists principally Of mountains and
foot hills and 10 Is miles in width and
so miles In length. The action OF the
Indians at the last council was practi-
cally unanimous. The price paid the
Indians By the government Is In round
numbers sl50,O00 The payment will not
be made In money but in cattle and
regular annuitles. The Indians cede
the land as soon as the treaty Is rati-
fed by congress but receive the first
payment In three years or at the ex-
p!ration Of the present treaty. three
years hence.
THE Indians are now in first-class
financial condition and have abundance
of means TO maintain the tribe for the
next II years. Their present prosperity
is largely due to the efforts OF the
Hon. Charles r. Conrad. whom they
recognize as their friend. The Indians
have also selected Mr.. Conrad to rep
resent them at Washington and see
that they are squarely dealt with dur
Ing the term OF the treaty or till the
final payment IL made by the govern
ment.
Heretofore the half-breeds have beer
considered no factor: in fact, were not
recognized as members OF the Piegan
tribe. and could be ordered from the
reserve at the pleasure OF the agent or
the head chief. In this regard radi-
cal change has been effected. The full
blooded Indians have now taken up th'
interest OF the half-breeds and hereaf-
ter all OF the mixed blood will be con-
sidered and treated as Indians proper,
drawing their proportion OF annulties
cattle and the like. and receiving all
benefits derived by Indians from the
government. Their interests In the
treaty Jus. made were jealously guard
cd by Mr.. Conrad. and had II not been
for that gentleman there would have
been no treaty made. The commission
ers. too, should receive great credit for
bringing the matter to successful
close. The commission consists OF T.
r. Pollock. chief clerk OF the indian
bureau at Washington; Editor Grinneil
Of tho Forest a. Stream. and j. L.
Dement'S. a prominent lawyer OF Geor-
gia.
"The Indians are thrifty and Indus
trious tribe. They 1--we In comfortable
log cabins and devote their time exclu-
slvely 10 stock raising. cutting their
own hay for the same. and raising
enough vegetables TO live on through
the winter. They now have $4,000 head
OF cattle and will soon receive 5000
head more, due them from the govern
ment under treaty. Major Steele, the
agent. has been with the Plegans for
many years and as a result OF his exc.
cutiye ability the members OF the tribe
are highly moral. They attend church
regularly and send their children to
well conducted schools. IL Is a singu.
lar fact that. although there are about
1000 Piegans not one OF the tribe has
committed a crime OF so grave ma
ture as OF sufficient Importance to be
arrested and taken before a United
States district court In the last 10
years. This is an example that mighs
be followed with good results by the
whites. 1t is not too much to say that
this condition of affairs is largely due
10 Major Steele. who enjoys the conf-
dence and esteem OF the tribe. but who
II quick to note and punish any IN
fringement OF an agency rule. To-mor-
row there will be a great war dance at
the agency. In which the entire tribe
will participate In honor OF the treaty
being signed by the distinguished
guests from abroad.
Perhaps there never has been a tribe
OF Indians In the United States that
has caused the government less trouble
than these Piegans. They have lived
up 10 every treaty made and have
made rapid advance towards clviliza-
tion In every respect. The land ceded
the government Is alleged to be rich
In silver. gold and other minerals. Old
miners have prospected the country
thoroughly and know what Is there. As
soon. however. as development work
even started. the miners were ordered
and escorted of the reservation by the
Indian police. AS soon as the treaty Is
ratified by congress the country will be
rapidly filled up with those In search
OF treasures.
Monday the commission Will start
TO treat with the Gros ventres Indians
at Belknnp for u part OF their reserva-
ton in the Little Rocky Mountains
which is said to contain minerals Of .
valuable character. Landusky. a thrifty
mining camp at present. is just across
the reservation line. and II this strip is
secured there win be an old-tlme stam.
pede In that directlon."