The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1900-11-21
OLD INDIAN LANDS.
A Louisiana Grant Thrt Trou bles the
Cover 7nmept.


Houma land grant has again come to
tho front to occupy the attention OF
the United States courts. Probably
no public lands in the country have
given the United States more trouble
than those Of the Eouna Indians.
There hays been moro lawsuits over
them, conspiracies, riots and disturb
ances than over any other part OF the
federal domain. The question has fre-
quently figured in local politics and
moro than once has obtruded itself on
congress. The Houna Indians occu-
pied considerable part Of south Louis
lana when the French landed there.
There was Houma village on the
present site Of New Orleans. The 1ndi-
ans were quiet and peaceable; they
gave the whites no trouble In oonse-
quence the whites had a great deal OF
trouble themselves. The Indians were
gradually crowded out Of all the fer
tile lands they owned, and took refuge
in the swan:ps on both sides OF the
Ante river in Livingston and Ascension
parishes.
In 1929 the tribe became totally e1-
tinct and the lands were thrown open
by the government to settlements It
was found, however, that there were
old French and Spanish claims to them
for the Spanish piled their claims
three or four thick on every acre OF
land in southern Louisiana. An at
tempt was made to oust the squatters
in Livingston parish. but they proved
= rather lawless lot, snd as everybody
in that section was a squatter the mat
Ter was finally settled by perfecting
their titles.
There was the same trouble in Ascen-
sion parish. The government opened
The land to public settlement in 1899.
and again in 1885. Quite a number Of
entries were made in the latter year
but when those who had entered the
land attempted TO take possession Of
their property they found It already
occupied by squatters, both white and
black. who had Ee,d it for several gen
rratiors without the slightest tide.
This brought UP the Old Livingston
trouble. The sfuatters refused to
!eaYe, and threatened to resent any al
tempt al dispcssession. After much
2arle wing q compromise was finally
reached whereby the squattcrs agreed
% pay certain sum of money. either
N lump or in installment. prn7ided
ihey We're left in their possession
But again in 1897 the United States
land office threw these lands ope to
entry for the third time and luany
entries were made The occupants Of
the lands. squatters and others. began
4 new mode OF war. They declared
that they were being pestered by land
spectators, that the entries were
Fraudulent and not in good faith and
attended to milk and fleece them; and
;hey organized a committed known a.
he Land Investigating Committee OF
ascension parish" to investigate the
matter ard see who were the men in
struGelrtal in getting up these lard
entries. The committee devoted mucl.
ime aud attention to this matter and
reported that the entry scheme was
hc.ng worked from New Orleans. lands
Being fraudulently entered there. com
pe!lins the occupants OF these lands g
>nv them from those who got titles
through the United States land Office.
The squatters and other occupants
VI the public lands in dispute, who con
Siitute large part of the population
If the eastern half of Ascension be-
icve that bT this criminal proceeding,
md the conviction Of the men making
'hese entries. they have put an end
% the troubles from which they have
suffered so long and which have COM
PEELED them to organize again and
again to keep their farms. They have
made it too hot, they say, for the land
spectators But if congress or the
United States land Office could interfere
and prevent further trouble and dis
putting Of titles in the Houma land
grant It would prevent great deal Of
Ill feeling, smooth down politics and
prevent litigation over question that
has been before the courts for nearly
70 years.