Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1895-08-24
Distribution of Money Com
menced at the Agency,
IT WILL TAKE THREE WEEKS
Lewiston and Other Bankers and Cred
itOrs on Hand to Open and
Settle Accounts.

Lewiston, Idaho, Aug. 1910 the sur
prise of everyone, Indians most of all,
the payment Of Nez Perez moneys be-
gan today at the agency at 1870, and
by nightfal1 nearly $25, 900 had been dis
bursed in drafts.
Delays attending the aliotments and
consummation Of the sale of lands
have been so frequent that the final
payment was not expected for num-
Der of days. The pay rolls are not at
the agency, and it was believed no
drafts would be issued until they were
ready to sign, but Agent Fisher decid-
ed otherwise, and early in the after
noon handed over the first draft OF
$1513, a squaw being the lucky recipi-
ent. and from that time on the pay
ments continued.
The cavalry troop from Fort Walla
Walla cleared the grounds Of all except
the officials and others who had creden-
tails emitting them to be present. The
latter included a number of creditors
Of the Indians and representatives of
the First National and Lewiston Ma
tional banks of Lewiston, who were
there with gold to cash the drafts, and
q number of representatives of banks
from Kendrick, Moscow and surround
ing towns.
The Lewiston banks stole a march
on the other bankers, who had no mon
ey with them, and whose advances to
the Indians were not considered with
favor. Spot cash was desired by most
of the Nez Perces, who would take
the gold for the drafts, handle it for an
hour or SO and then deposit it again
with the same bankers.
One Indian in particular afforded a
great deal Of amusement to the whites
He drew his money in shining $40 gold
pieces, shifted it from one pocket TO
the other, counted it a dozen times and
finally, when it began to be a burden,
was induced to give it to a banker
to be deposited in his name
AS fast as the drafts were cashed
the creditors of the Indians present.
ed their claims, some Of which had been
standing for Y years. A large credit
business had been done with the NeZ
Perces, and the accounts had been kept
standing until this money should come
RI. The amount Of the claims were de-
Quoted from each Indians money and
debts cancelled without a murmur
HOSL lIduGI DdNlS Carried away IL
small fortune. He had been doing an
extensive credit business with the In
dams, who are considered as scrupu-
lousy honest, and his accounts run
into the thousands.
The banks with their sacks Of gold
were examples of business shrewdness
It is understood that the Lewiston fin
anciers will have all the money neces-
sary sent from Portland IN case they
they are unable to furnish the funds.
They charge so cents per hundred dol
lars, and will clean up a small fortune
themselves.
Jim Reuben. an educated Indian, who
has been an important factor in get
ting the allotments settled, and who
aided the commissioners to secure the
signatures of obstinate Indians to the
treaty was major domo of the proceed
ings He acted as interpreter, auditor
of accounts and referee of disputes.
and for his work in the past and fu-
ture gets a commission of per cent
from each of his tribesmen
Owing to the Indians not expecting
their cash so soon only 80 were on hand
to get it. Now that the fact is known
they will come flocking In.
1t will require three weeks time to
complete the payments, which range
from $500 to $4,000.
Some of the intelligent Indians kept
their drafts to deposit in the Lewiston
banks. Others were eager to see the
color of the money. 1t is estimated
that the banks of this city will receive
at least two-thirds of the 100000.