The Flagstaff sun-democrat., 1897-02-04
THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 4, 1897
NAVAJO IMPROVEMENTS.

&VNl 'V''"VNI HdNV 'b"' the Naval" Imlia"s were encr"arhing on this side of the Little Colorado river. miles away from their reserva- tinn. and on territory that righlfully belonged tn the whites.
 A big petition signed by nearly every citizen of this section of the county. was recently sent to Secretary of the lut-ri"r D. R Francis, giving the views of the Simkmen and request ing the Interior department to inter- frrr in lh. further encrachmeut bl the Indians.
 I'm. matter was referred by Secrr- tary Francis tn the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Mir. Francis replying to the petitioners in the following languagr:
 GENTLEMEN: am in receipt of yonr con,- munication of the 9th of December. last, being petition of certain residents and tax payers of 'oconino county. Arizona. praying
  vajo Indians whose reservation adjoins the above named county. on the south. from trespassing upon the lands of the wool and cattle growers of that section.
 It Is represented that the Navajos no, only herd their focks on ranges legally held by Americans 1c. only rrak. free use Of water and water-richts developed at great expense by wool growers. but cut dams. steal
 
 we'll as threaten and lntimidate he herders of the said Americans. and threaten violence if protests are made against these outrages In reply. have to state that your petition was referred to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs for consideration and report. and herewith transmit copy of his reply thereto dated the 18th instant. for your information. The Commissioner states that many of the Navajos have lived on the reserv vation from time immemorial; have settled in tho vicin- 1ty of springs and other water sources, graz ing their herds and focks on the lands of the adjacent country. in many instances taking homesteads under the public land laws of the United States. which they have endesv- ored and sie still endeavoring to obtain title to. and that the whites have pushed them- selves into this country and endesvored to dispossess the Indians of lands which right fully, in many instances. belong to them.
 He also states that steps that have been taken by the Department to develop water supply upon the reservation for the use of the Indians, with the view of returning to and settling rowing Navajos thereon. and the present condition of that work, which, 1t seems. Is not ample to supply the needs of all the Indians.
 In the meantime, the Commissioner has advised the Acting Agent in charge of the Navajos. directing him 10 warn them against interfering with the persons or property of the whites. and to report upon the situation there, with recommendations
 Very respectfully.
 D. K. FRANCIS. Secretary.
 The Commissioners reply in brief was as follows:
 That the Commissioner was familiar with the subject of alleged interference by the Eavajos with the cattle and wool growers of this section.
 Many of the Navajos have lived ofP the reservation from lime inlmemorial. settled in the vicinity of springs or other water sources and grazed their focks and herds upon the lands of the adjacent country; in some in- stances they have taken homesteads under the public land laws Of the United States and have endeavOred and are sti endeavoring to obtain title to the lands settled upon. The whites have pushed themselves into the country and endeavored to dispossess the Indians of lands which rightfully, in many instances. belong to them.
 Water is scarce on the reservation, says the Commissioner. and In 1890 steps were taken and an appropriation of $40O00 ob- tained with which, together with $20, 900 more that was then available, irrigation works were started on the reservation. The work is not finished yet and will not be for some time. In the meantime there Is not sufficient water supply on the reservation for the 20.5O0 Inlians and their focks and herds and to force them back upon the reservation would be cruel and inhuman and result in great loss of their stock, which is their chief means of support.
 do not think. says the Commissioner that any action looking to the forciDle re- moval of the non-reservaton Indians should be taken until the water supply upon the reservation has been fully developed and a sufficient supply obtained not only for the Indians thereon. but for those who may be returned thereto.
 District Attorney E. s. Clark's reply to the Commissioners report will be published next week.