Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1900-09-05
Opening OF Colville Reservation.

10th. The president by proclamation
has opened for settlement 1900, 600
acres OF rich farming land in the north
half of the ColviIle reservation. This
reservation lies in the northeastern
part OF the state; fifty miles northwest
OF Spokane; one hundred and fifty
miles northeast OF the capital, Olympia,
and one hundred miles east and north
Of Seattle. 1t borders on the Canadian
boundary, and is about thirty miles
from Greenwood, B. G.
Many years ago this land was set
apart at the request of what was then
agreat tribe of Indians, known as the
Siwash. In due course OF years these
Indians so degenerated that it is diff.
cult to find among this once power
full tribe single full blooded Indian.
The great number of white immigrants
who drifted to the northwest many
years ago, took the Indian maidens
for their wives, and now only half
breeds can be found. Even the China.
man found his way into the country,
and, unlike him as rule, he followed
in the footsteps of his white neighbors
and intermingled. in marriage with
the dusky Siwash.
After many years the white man be-
gan to petition the government for the
privilege of farming a portion of this
rich reservation. It was shown that
the number of Siwashes had so de-
creased that one-twentieth OF this land
was amply sufficient and more than
enough for the needs of the Indian.
1t was shown that very few Of the In
dams attempted to till the soil or to
use the rich pasture lands for the
raising of stock. The Indians con.
stantly fought against any enroach-
ment of the whites. The most worth
less Of the tribe was never in want,
and those few who were willing to ex-
change their labor for the product of
the soil became rich in wor Idly goods.
But of this last class there were but
few. In addition to the land possess
ing great fertility, it was also known
that it was rich in minerals-gold,
silver and copper showing themselves
in many parts Of the reservation. The
Indian, without exception, made no
attempt to take advantage OF the I'M
derground richness.
After repeated petitioning and great
influence brought to bear, the govern.
ment finally opened the reservation to
the whites for the purpose Of mining,
and mining only. That was only four
years ago. Immediately the prospec-
tors and miners flocked into the coun-
try, and succeeded in opening up hum
dreds Of exceptionally rich gold, silver
and copper mines. Camps sprung up
all over the country.
The American miner when given a
foothold insists on everything between
the boundaries, and by constant
efforts and great political influence,
congress was finally prevailed upon to
open up the, country to the whites
for farming purposes as we'll as for
mining. The Indians were each given
farm or allotment. This was done
before the reservation was to be
thrown open.
1t seems that this action OF the gov
eminent has not been widely known
outside of the immediate vicinity OF
the reservation, and is not attracting
the attention OF the general public
like did that Of. the opening OF the
Cherokee Strip, yet it is we'll known
that in richness OF soil, in addition to
the vast amount of precious metals it
contains, it has many times the value
of that country. This seeming lack
OF publicity of the opening has been
the fault of those who expected to
profit by it. There is not only ample
territory for oil those who are watch
ing the day when the proclamation
will allow them to take up farms, but
room for thousands more.
The lands i'm the several districts
which have been surveyed and which
are subject to entry, are as follows:
Al Spokane Land Ofltce.