The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-02-28
CHECKING UP THE PAY ROLL
CENSUS OF THE MEDAWAKAN-
TON INDIANS
A Delegation of Turtle Lake Reds
OFF for Washington, and Another
Due to Return From There This
Week.

MAJ James Mclaughlin, United
States Indian agent, and one Of the
picturesque figures in the West. passed
through the city yesterday on his way
North from Washington, where he has
been attending to some official bust
ness. The major. the last time he
visited st. Paul, was just recovering
from a severe attack of intermittent
fever contracted down in the Indian
territory, but as he appeared yesterday
at the Merchants. he had recovered
all of his old-time vigor.
For twenty-five years Maj McLaugh-
lin has been UP and down the Missis-
sippi river dealing with the Sioux and
ChlppeWaS, and with the Indian ma
tons farther West in the Dakotas and
Montana. He is, perhaps, the best
known. Indian agent in the Northwest
His mission in St. Paul at this time
is peculiar one. and will require some
time to complete. The department Of
the interior has directed that a census
of the MedaWakanton nation be taken
as there are some Irregularities in the
annual payment Of annuities, which
are given to the nation. Through some
of its agents the government has been
informed that there are names of per-
sons on the rolls who have no right
to the Indian aid, and Maj. McLaugh-
lin has been directed to make a thor
ough investigation and report the re-
suit to the Washington officials.
The government gives about $1,000
a year to this nation and the alleged
frauds are reported to, have existed for
some time. Some years ago the annui-
ties were paid in subsistence, but the
aid is now given in cash. This, Of
course, increases the opportunity for
fraudulent payments, and in line with
this investigation others may follow
if the same condition is found to exist.
The Medawakanton g{ndians are scat
tered along the MINNESOTA and Missis-
sippi river valley from Wabasha,
Mimi, to Redwood Falls.
A delegation of six Devils Lake and
Turtle Lake Indians passed through
ST. Paul on their way to interview the
Great Father" at Washington. The
Indians from both agencies have a
number of claims against the govern
ment, which they will air fully before
the department of4the interior some
time next week. ~
Their first and most important claim
is that a large tract of land at the
base of the Turtle mountains, which
belonged to their forefathers. was
| never coded to the government by any
of their tribe. 1t is an old claim which
mas DeGn pGnQlHS DIT w dSLlIS toil Luz
almost ten years. In 1893 commission
was appointed by President Cleveland
to look into the merits of the claim.
A report was made by the commission
recommending that $1,000,000 be paid
to the Indians in twenty annual in
stallments of $4,000 each. The report
has been before congress ever since
and never ratified by that body.
Another claim is made by the Turtle
Lake Trdians that the Northern Pacific
railroad came through and took up
some of their lands without paying
them anything. and the redmen lcok to
Washington for relief
The delegation of Leech lake In
dams in company with Gus Beaulieu
are expected to reach st. Paul from
Washington today or tomorrow. They
were given a half-dozen hearings be-
fore the secretary Of the interior last
week.
The most important matter which
the Indians have urged is a better
price for their pine. The pine on the
reserva ton is bought by individuals,
but the government exercises censor
ship over all sales. The Indians claim
that the uniform price of So Per thou
sand is not enough, and they should
receive S. They are also petitionine
for the construction Of mills on the
reservation so they could receive the
full value Of the timber.