Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-17
with liberty to land eargoes when necessary
for safety.
Treaty of 1893.


In 1873, by treaty made In Chicago,
September &c, 1888, the Chippewas. Ottawas
and Pottawatomies ceded to the United
States all their land about 5000 900 acres,
along the shore of Lake Michigan described
explicitly by metes and bounds. BY later
treaty stipulations these Indian tribes af-
firmed their agreement. by metes and
bounds, but at no time did they relinquish
the right of fishing and encampment Sc
cured to them by their treaty in 1920
Neither was any mention made of any
islands eeded to the United States though
there were at an early day two or three in
the lake of considerable size, which have
since become a part Of the main land.
The three tribes of Indians mentioned be-
long to the great Algonquin family, many
of whom became educated and cultured
and who were deeply religious. The 'Po-
ka-gon Pottawatomies' were noted even in
those early days for their religious tenden-
cies, and were known also as the mission
band, belonging to the French Catholics
The band was in existence long before the
colonies declared their independence To-
pin-a-be Po-ka-gon seems to have been the
first chief of the band, and his son Leopold
was followed in turn by Simon, who is now
dead.
Basis of Indian Claim.
The claim that the Po-ka-gons are max
ing is of 4 most romantic nature. The
hlack-gown missionaries, through NJ. Fred
elick Reze, organized a missionary society
among the Pottawatemte nation, and hap
tiZed Elizabeth Po- ka-gon, and her hus-
band, Leopold July %, 1880. Reverend Nc
Coy, who was 4 missionary among the In
dams for many years, and who printed the
first written language OF many of them, has
left record of the fact that Leopold Polka
gon was one of the really noble red men !;
that he was brave, sagacious and intensely
religious, and fanatically opposed to liquor
Because of the superior education and
other attanments OF his immediate band
and because of the religious tendencies
which made them influential among ada
cent tribes in keeping down disturbances, a
special supplementary treaty to that of
1S33 was made, in which the United States
government permitted the members of this
religious band to remain in their homes
upon their native sell This band, through
its lineal descendants. still exists, dwelling
on the ancestral lands in southern Michi-
gan.
The claim of the Indians lies in the fact
that the cession to the United States was
made by metes and bounds. and that no
mention was made of the waters, or of the
islands of the lakes. in the cession. 1t is
now alleged that the metes and bounds do
not cover the shore line by several hundred
feet in some instances and by a mile in
others, and the Indians claim this land,
under unrelinquished,treaty rights.
Chicago's Interest in the Contention.
Chicago has had much trouble with LAND
grabbers," who laid claim to the shore line,
but has not lost much sleep over the claims
thus made. This one, however, is of some
what different nature, and affects some
thing like 500 OO0,00a worth of property.
The Indian office recognizes the Polka
gon band of Indians as entitled to allotment
of lands; the Court of Claims has recog-
nized this band through its business com
mittee; the Supreme Court approved the act
of Congress in treatyestiplHations with these
Indians, and if the Court Of Claims recog-
nizes the right of these Indians to go after
their old hunting and fishing grounds, Chi
cago is liable to get shaken up a whole lot,
right where she lives, for the land in ques-
ton takes the whole lake front and is
almost Invaluable. =
Added to this is the fact that two British
subjects are interested in the matter 1t
might be quite interesting If Great Britain
should make up her mind to assert the
rights of her subjects.