The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-08-15

train last Saturday evening, the wei.
come news reached Billings that the
treaty with the Grow Indians. for the
cession Of about one.third Of their res.
ervatioD, had been made. Few people
in this city had any idea that negotia.
tions with the Indians had progressed
to stage where the making OF treaty
was possible, it not being even gen.
orally known that the council was
being held. but since the recent removal
of an influence that was doing effective
work against the treaty, Mr.. g. 9.
Hoyt and Col. James H. MoNeeloy Of
the commission appointed by the presi.
dent to treat with the Indians, assisted
by Agent j. Il. Edwards, have been
quietly at work. Aud they have heather
asked or received aid from the residents
Of Billings, to whom, the opening Of the
reservation means SO much. On the
contrary one newspaper in this city
through gross ignorance, spirit OF
mendacity. or both-has from time to
time unjustly attacked the commission
in it's columns, endeavored to incite
the Indians against the treaty and
thrown every stumbling block possible
in the way Of Its contamination. Offers
by The Gazette to the commission to
defend them against these attacks have
been firmly but gratefully declined.
They did not care for them, they said.
From the time when they commenced
work on the treaty, which dates from
last October, they have oontended they
would accomplish their. mission, IL
spite Of the antagonism of the most
powerful influence Oh the reservation,
and they have kept their word. That
influence, unfortunately, extended to
Billings and made lukewarm support
that otherwise would have Loyalty a.
sisted the commission, but a few Of the
residents Of this city have quietly en-.
couraged Massrs. Hoyt and MoNeeley
and their co.workers to persevere IN
the difficult task laid out for them, and
they deserve unstinted praise for it's
accomplishment in the face Of the ob.
stacles thrown in their way.
The Council and Treaty.
The council with the Indians began
at the agency last Monday, aud has
practically been III session night and
day ever since. The memb bers Of the
tribe were quietly notified to meet the
commission and agent in conference,
and how hard these gentlemen have
worked to make the treaty will never
be known by anyone but themselves.
Suffice it to say that the treaty met
with violent opposition FROM the leading
chiefs Of the Grow tribe and up to last
Friday afternoon there seemed to be
little hope Of it being made, but now
all the Indians are satisfied, thoroughly
understand it's provisions and the SEN
timent among them is unanimous for
the opening to settlement Of the reser.
walton. Before the treaty could be
made, the signatures Of majority Of
the male adults on the reservation
(about $3.50 were necessary. At this
writing these have been obtained and
the signatures Of all others can and
probably will be secured. ALI of the
leading chiefs have signed, including
Pretty Eagle, Plenticoues, Two Leggins,
Daylight, Spotted Horse, Bell Rock,
Carney, Spotted Rabbit, Medicine Tail,
Big Medicine and Deaf Bull, and
the lesser lights and members Of the
tribe in general are now tumbling over
each other to get into the band wagon.
1he general terms Of the treaty are
that the government agrees to pay
81, $50, 900 for 100000 arores Of land. |
About 100000 Of this sum goes into
irrigation on the reservation, to finish |
the ditohes now in course OF oonstruo.
tion and provide for their maintenance.
About $50. 900 will be used for fencing |
various parts Of the reservation to pro.
tect the Indian cattle herd, while
$3.50. 900 goes for the purchase Of more
cattle and $4,000 will be used for the
purchase Of sheep About $4,000 Of |
the purchase price will 80 into new
school buildings. while 100000 will |
be used for sundry purposes to improve
the condition Of the Indians. The
balance Of ths money will be placed In
the treasury Of the United States TO the
credit Of the tribe, drawing 4 psr cent.
interest. and 80 annual cash per
n. A. ~.