The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-12-13
n AID THE indian
Major WoOdson Thinks Moth
ing So Eficacious
AS ALLOTTING HIM LAND
And Teaching Him by White
NeighborS' Example.
AS ALLOTTING HIM LAND

Ell Reno, o. T, Dec. 12-The board of
Indian commissioners recently issued a
circular letter Of inquiry to the Indian
agents, asking certain questions regard
ing the progress of the red man, with
special reference to the workings of the
allotment plan. Major Woodson, who is
an authority. made the following report
which will be of particular interest to a
large part Of Oklahoma:
Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indian Agency,
Darlington, o. T, Nov. % 1899.
Merrill E. Gates, Board Of Indian Com
mission Washington, D. c.:
Sir-I am in receipt of your circular
letter of inquiry of the % instant, re
questing reply TO certain interrogatories,
and in compliance Herewith I have the
honor to submit the following:
L How many allotments have been
made TO Indians of your agency? To
Arapahoes, 1144; to Cheyennes, 2151: total,
1926.
II. How many patents have been Is
sued? Three thousand two hundred and
eighty-four.
Ill How many Indians are living on
their allotted lands? Ninety-five per
cent of the alble-bodied Indians.
". To what extent are they cultivat-
ing their lands? Ninety-fve per cent Of
the able-bodied Indians are cultivating
their lands, and, in addition, many 9TH
ers who are incapacitated cultivate to a
limited extent
v. To what extent are their lands
leased. and for what purposes are they
leased, and with what results? Ten hun
bred and seventy-one allotments have
been leased, or applied for, for farming
and grazing purposes. Only those who
are incapacitated by age, disease and
other disability are permitted to lease
their allotments. Families are encour-
aged 10 select one of their allotments FOR
permanent residence, and permitted to
lease the Others to acceptable tenants
for terms Of three years, with the con-
sent of the agent, who fixes the price and
Improvements to be made, and the secrr-
tary of the interior. BY this means the
wild lands are brought under cultivation
and prepared FOR future occupation Of
their children when they attain their
majority A portion of the revenue from
such leases is utilized Cor should be) in
making improvements on the home aIlot-
ment. All payments for such leases are
made through the agent who receipts
for and disburses the same by check on
the assistant United States treasurer in
St Louis, where the funds are kept.
Suitable permanent record books are kept
in which all such accounts are entered,
subject at all times to inspection. A
ledger account is kept with every allot-
tee and lessee. Payments on leases are |
required semi-annually and paid out by /
check to the allottees semi-annually In I
the presence Of two witnesses, for which /
proper vouchers are rendered. Certii- |
Gates are taken from the lessee stating |
the amounts paid at each payment The |
benefits of leasing the aIIotments are |
two-fold. In addition to the revenue re-
ceived by the allottee, the white farmer
furnishes him an object lesson in the
methods Of seeding, cultivating and mar
vesting the crops grown on the leased
lands, and in many Instances is helpful
TO his Indian neighbor by the inter
change Of labor and the protection he
gives to his personal property. White
settlers are intelmingled with Indian al
lottees throughout what was in former
years their reservation. Amicable leIa-
tons are maintained between the races
and these Indians are fast acquiriog
better knowledge Of civil government
and civilized habits.
VI What in your opinion. are the
benefits or the evils Of the allotment pol
icy? The benefits are numerous. The al
lotment Of land in severalty, in nv opln-
ion' is the first step in Indian civilization
The sooner their camp life IS abandoned
Tor residence in permanent homes the
sooner they VIII be prepared TO adon-
civilized habits and to discontinue their
nomadic camp life When their large vii