The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-02-25
BOOMERS READY TO RUSH In
Prospectors Line I'D for the Colyiiic
openiEG-Wiii Make IL Hot
for Officials.

cOITIILE, Wash. Feb. A--SpecIal-
Despite deep Sow. the report that con-
gress may open the south half OF the Col
Vile Indian reservation 10 free exploration
for mineral has brought the efferveseent
boomer TO the froat. All along the Colunl-
bla river, which skirts the reserve on the
south and east and at every availanl
point along the international boundary line
there have congregated hundreds OF peo-
pie fully equipped for the rush and sup
piled with the ieetsst horses liz the land
At Hunter and at Fruitland, two points
twenty miles north OF Fort Spokane. there
have been over 20 people camped Tor two
weeks. and each succeeding day has aug
mented the crowd. The reports that the
bin providing for the opening OF the COW
eted territory would tx the time for the
opening at July next was considered a
Job. and the gathered hosts do not dinin-
ish In either numbers or interest.
The south half OF the reservation Is a
vast region Of broken mountags There Is
also much good farming land along the
streams, and the wide slopes reaching
down 10 the river afford delightful range
for stock. The mineral deposits are as
promising CT wealth as those IN the region
along the British Columbia boundary
which was thrown open for mining pur-
poses year ago
In this prospective race for wealth there
the border dwellers, but as matter OK
fact there is a bitter feeling against the
government officials. and when the signal
is sounded which will open UP the forbid
den ground there Will be serious trouble.
unless extraordinary precautions are exer-
cised. At present 81 persons are held at
bay by government officials IN charge Of
the reserve. and no stranger dares enter
upon the Indian country under penalty OF
arrest. The indian police are as numerous
as the mae portion Of the tribes, and all
are vigilant In executing their trust. But
IL k charged that nearly all the govern
ment employees about the agency, and
many OF those IN the Federal service IN the
state. are suffered 20 advance their trusted
friends and agents 10 explore for the best
mineral These prospectoTs, 20 the abso-
lutte and arbitrary exclusion OF all others.
VIII be on the ground when the reservation
Is opened. ami signals viii prompt them
70 post notices OF location and stake the
ground at the appointed time.
When the north half OF the reservation
was thrown open last year there was a
systematic scheme laid by the government
officials 10 get the news eirst. and for weeks
couriers were stationed at convenient
points AL over ths reserve. AZ the time
the legitimate heir to a fortune reached his
EldorRdo he found JOB lot OF govern
ment employees in possession. What they
dli not grasp In this way they secured
through the squeezing process OF the law
II is said that there Is a plan among the
excluded crowd TO protect themselves
against a repetition OF the usage OF last
opening day. but just how they will do II
is not known. From their present state OF
feeling IL is safe TO say that Il viii not be
considered good reservation opening ETH
guette for 4 government Official or one or
more Of his friends 70 be on thu ground
previously spotted fer mineral by the Dor
der man. Ia fact. II will be better for the
officer % move OF when the civilian
moves on. There viii ha fewer vacancles
no doubt. IN the government service 20 be
Immediately SLED. ard there viii be a more
general good feeling among the great mass
OF honesteaders who VIII move 20 the
front purely for what there Is In it. and IN
good faith.