Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-06-01
THE LAKE FRONT CASE
House Committee on Indian Affairs
Decides Against the Pottawato.
mics Claims.
Tribe Had Laid Claim to Land in
Chicago Worth Enormous
sum.
--------
sharpers and Land Grabbers De.
feated in Attempt to Cloud
the Title.

the Title.
Washington, June Tho Pottawata-
mic tribe of Indians that laid claim to
lake front property just north of the
Chicago river, said to be Worth all of
sl50.OC0.0o0. had the bottom knocked out
of their claims b. the house committee
on Indian affairs yesterday.
After many weeks given to study and
consideration of the claims of the Intii-
ans, the Subcommittee agreed to report
to the full committee to the effect that
the Hamilton bill, which was introduced
at the Instance of the Indians and their
hackers, be not passed by the house.
This report was made to the full CONS.
mittee by Mr.. Curtis, of Kansas The
full committee voted Unanimously to.
mended By the subcommittee. This
settles, it is believed. this particular at.
tempt of the Indians 10 grab up vaiua-
bic lealtytin the city of Chicago 1t is
alsoa hard blow to certain promoters
ton of the entire plot.
The Subcommittee report was verbal
sly given by its chairman. and consisted
of a general denial of the claims to lake
front lard as set up by Pokagon and his
ttfibesnen. The subcommittee said
that il had not attempted to settle the
general question of the rights Of the en-
tire nation OF the Pottawatonies to
states. The Subcommittee satisfied it,
self by denying the so-called Pokagon.
claim that related only to Chicago prop
ertS.
The land claimed TO the Indians is
supposed to have formed around now
extinct island aronud the mouth of the
Chicago river. Aeereted soil during the
progress of years connected this island
With the main land This formed the
jutting point and near by shore used ex-
tensiNely BY the illinois Central railway
This island and the shore land OF the
lake We're claimed BY the Indians on the
ground that they had not ceded theil.
rights TO the same by treaty to the
United States and that they held 10 this
day the hunting, camping and fishing
privileges along Lake Michigan that
NY wv
II was shown in the testimony that
IN 1919 the government made survey
OF that region and that the island re-
ferred TO by the Indians WAS fully 1000
feet from the main land Ii is said that
N ls31 there We're 30 acres Of land in
that island, which seemed 10 constantly
broadening thru accretions.
So Chief Pokagon believed that the
island which his tribe had never givel.
Ioverto Uncle Sam had gradually grown
| and spread until it connected with the
| mainland This now forms some of the
| most valuable realty property in the
world
sharpers and land exploiters invei-
gied the old chief into parting With
many Of his papers. Copies of treaties
We're obtained and other information
gained that made the chain ot exfdsnee
apparently complete. The Historical
and Educational Society Of Washington
was formed simply 10 give a more seri-
Gus air TO the plan. c. w. Wood. of
Washington, who appeared before the
house committee last winter is seere-
tarN of tins society anc is interested in
tbs. case filed in the name Of the In
I'dians.
The secretary of the Interior wrote an
elaborate history Of the whole matter
and forwarded it 10 the committee on
Indian affairs, With the Recommendation
that the bill do no, pass. This letter
contained valuable data unearfhei b.
Indian Commissioner Jones. Who also
held the claims Of the Pottawattamies
We're not securely based.
The claimants wanted first Of all con-
5sress 70 confer jurisdiction upon the
eenr; Of claims % determine the jus
tice Of their case and render judgment.
| It's was the real object Of the bill in
| tsodlced b. Nj. Hamilton last Febru-
airy. The entire question was ilnmedi-
ately involved, however and the sub
committee had much historical de.ving
10 do to arrive at a satisfactory conclu-
sion.