The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-02

Boundaries of the Reservation
Sur veyed, and Testimony.
Taken.
Commissioners Auth lori ICED 10 Ho' d Sss-
sions in This City to Complete
Their Report.

The Com missioners appointed by Presi-
dent Cleveland to determine the exact
boundaries of the Klamath Indian Reser-
walton in Southeastern Oregon returned
Yesterday from that region. The commits
sion is composed of w. 2. Coleman OF 81.
Louis (chairman), r. P. Hammond OF San
Francisco and J. D. Apologize of klamath
Falls. Harry J. Brady is secretary.
The Commissioners left this City early
in October and proceeded at once to the
reservation. In 1864 the Indians, some
friendly, and others, hostile, claimed a vast
tract of country in that region. To bring
about a settlement of disputes the leading
chiefs and the Government OF the United
States entered into solemn treaty guar
anteeing to the tribes undisputed posses
sion of certain lands. The. boundaries,
however, were somewhat vaguely defined,
as the lines of departure in the reckoning
were marked by certain mountains OF the
Cascade range. In course OF time white
settlers occupied some of the fertile val-
legs, and the Indians fancied that the en-
croachment was an. invasion OF their do
main in violation of the treaty.
In order to ascertain definitely what
valleys belonged to the reservation Sena-
tor Mitchell OF Oregon procured the pas
sage of an act or resolu tion of Congress
authorizing the President to appoint three
Commissioners 1t seems that the Gov
eminent has patented to settlers some of
the land claimed by the Indians. Should
the surveys of the commission establish
this claim as fact the United States will
no doubt indemnify the Indians.
The Commissioners were delayed some
what in their departure and did not reach
the reservation until the winter season
had set in. The altitude of the country in
the Cascade range varies from 1900 to
10000 feet. In many places the Commits
sioners encountered snow to the depth Of
three or four feet. The weather was ex-
tremely cold. One day the thermometer
registered Is deg. below zero.
The commission was equipped with a
complete camping outfit, an ambulance,
supply wagons, horses, tents, drivers aad
cooks. TIE inclemency of the weather
did not prevent the commission from
going forward with the task.
Ali the exterior lines Of the reservation
were traversed, work which involved a
Journey of 300 miles over forest, mountain
and valley lands.
Winter set in early this year, and the
fall of snow and rain up to date has been
exceptionally large. The Commissioners
lived in the open air all the time, pitching
night. An Indian guide kept the camp
well supplied with venison. Elk and bear
we're not seen, but the streams yielded
some fish.
The Commissioners took the testimony
of many witnesses on the reservation, and
also held session at Klamath Falls at
which much testimony was secured.
Ample notes were taken by the Com mis-
sioners individually and these notes will
be used in preparing the report.
The Interior Department has granted
the Commissioners the privilege of hold
ing sessions in San Francisco TO examine
field notes, review the testimony and pre-
pare report. This work may be accom-
pIished by December 20. Mr.. Coleman,
the chairman, expects to leave for St.
Louis about that time. The Commission
ers are in the best of health.
Messrs. Coleman, Hammond and Apple
gate say that they have reached no con-
illusions SIS to the claims OF the Indians
and settlers. The report, when agreed
upon and signed, will be forwarded to the
Secretary OF the Interior and its recon-
mendations will not be made public until
the Secretary directs.
On the arrival of the Oregon train yes.
terday forenoon w. P. Coleman, the chair
man, went to the home of his brother,
Barry Coleman. General Hammond and
Captain Applegate Immediately sought
the services OF barber.