Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1897-12-24
INDIANS IN OREGON.
Reports From klamath, Siletz and
Grand Ronde Agents..

nual report to the commissioner of
Indian affairs, speaks of the great i'm
provement that has been made in the
matter of agriculture. There was also
a good crop of rye and oats, and more
land had been fenced and more build
ings erected than in any former year.
There have been also other improve
ments and more would have been made
If there had been a sufficient supply of
lumber. The Indians on the reserva-
tion show a disposition to live in bet
ter houses than heretofore. More at
tention is being given to stockraising
than usual, and a marked increase has
been observed in the herds. Some pur.
chases of thoroughbred cattle have been
made, and the Indians show a DISPOSE
tion to take care of them.
The agent also reports the gratifying
results of the two schools of that agency.
One hundred and fifty-two children
We're in attendance at the klamath
school, and 103 at the Yainax school.
h klamath Indians are thrown
upon their resources, as all allowances
ceased IL years ago. Three fourths of
them are industrious and law-abiding,
and are making their way very we'll.
They are engaged in hauling freight
and other work, besides agriculture
The total number OF Indians on the
reservation is 1920, an increase of SO
over last year. A better system OF wa
terworks and heating apparatus is rec
commended for the klamath school.
Bailey Gather, agent at Siletz, re-
ports that the population at that agency
is 4S6, a decrease of IL. He also re-
ports that the Indians have been work
ing, and were employed in picking
hops and packing fish at the cannery
which has been constructed near the
mouth of the Siletz river. The In.
dams received during the year $l5, 500
from various sources, including So, 1858
annuity from the government.
He reports a great deal Of confusion
among the Indians who claim to own
land of dead alOttees, as l16 have died
since the allotment was completed,
making about 5000 acres of land for
the Indians to quarrel over. In some
cases there is no question as to who are
the legal heirs; but in the majority
there are a number of claimants, and
it is very difficult to determine the re-
lationship of any of the claimants.
The agent says it is a means of consid-
cradle annoyance, and will grow more
so unless some simpler and less expen-
sive method of adjustment is devised.
AT present, application is made to the
state courts to determine who are the
heirs, and it is usually SO expensive
that it excludes the Indian from any
means of determining his rights.
Mr.. Gather reports gratifying work
from the schools, and says that there is
not sufficient room in the buildings at
the present time.
Andrew Kershaw, the superintendent
in charge of the Grande Ronda agency,
says there has been steady progles in
the school work there, and he also
speaks very highly Of the industrial
work of the pupils. He shows that
there has been a decrease in the poplua-
tion during the year, but the resefva-
ton is in general good order.
Oregon Notes.
During November, 3l2 carload lots
of freight were shipped over the Elgin
branch of the o. R. & n.
The stockyards at the Linnton caa-
merry have become a great resort for
s~eagulls and crows. Hundreds of these
birds haunt the yards in search OF food.
The authorities OF Lakeview, in Lake
county, are improving the streets Of
that town with gravel. 1t is estimated
that the cost OF the improvements will
be 5000.
The Lane county rock crusher is at
work near Goshen, where rock is being
crushed to repair the road near Camas
swale. About 800 feet of new road
will be built.
An Ashland man is over among the
klamath Indians, e%ndeavoring to gather
100 dogs to be sent to Alaska in the
spring. The dogs of the Indians being
accustomed to hardsbips and food OF
dried fish are thought to be hardy
enough for the northern climate.
Residents of Wallowa county report
a run of salmon which began within
the past week. A run of salmon this
late in the season is very unusul in
that county. The fish are large and
have deep red sides, and have Other
unusual characteristics. They are
headed for Wallowa lake and are very
plentiful.
The Santiam News gives the follow.
ing account of the courageous efforts Of
Mrs. Mack, who resides near that
place, in trying to save her little son,
Frank, from drowning. The lad was
dragging a plank on a footlog, crossing