Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1900-08-01

| |' w. NohHer OF spokane, past great
sachem of the Improved Order of Red
men OF the state, is in receipt of letter
from the commissioner of Indian affairs
at Washington, d. c.. that settles at once
and tor all time Chief Joseph's hope to
be returned to his old tramping grounds
In the Wallowa valley. in which the Red
Men have interested themselves in b;s
favor. The letter follows:
"E. o. Conner, Esq, Spokane WASH
Sir; This office is in receipt by depart
ment reference, of your communication
dated June 20, 1900, stating that you de-
sire to add your unqualified endorsement
OF the plan proposed to settle Chief Joseph
and his band of Nez Perce Indians in
their old home in Wallowa valley, Ore
gon, and provide homes, schools, mills
ETC., for them. You think this is only
just to them and that it will improve their
condition and be conducive to the future
welfare of their children, and that the
government owes it to Chief Joseph to
| thus in measure make restitution for
the wrongs done him and the promises
broken. You also think that Chief Joseph
now desires to settle down to a peaceful
life and have his own home and not be
forced to live the roaming and uncertain
life now forced upon him by keeping him
ON the Colyille reservation; that if these
Indians should be given chance, this
department would soon be surprised with
the reports of progress made by them.
"You inclose with your said letter pe-
tition signed by the members of the I'm
proved Order of Red Men, requesting the
department of the interior to give its
early and favorable consideration to the
prayer of Chief Joseph for final settle
ment and allotment of lands i'll severalty
for his tribe, and for the establishment OF
schools, shops, mills, etc, necessary for
the welfare and improvement of his peo-
pie as citizens of the country.
"As past great sachem of the Improved
Order of Red Men Of the state Of Wash
ington, you desire to add your indorse-
ment to the petition of its members on
behalf of Joseph. You say that your So
ciety was not organized for the purpose |
of bettering the condition Of the Indians,
but that it desired to exercise it's influ- |
ence in that direction; that the represen-
tatives of 1000 members Of the said order
recently in session in the city Of Spokane
unanimously adopted resolution In
dorsing the petition Of Chief Joseph.
''in reply you are advised that the De-
tition of Chief Joseph has been carefully [
and deliberately considered by this Office.
An investigation of the present condition |
and status of the Wallowa valley, Ore
gon, to which Joseph and his band desire
to be removed, has been made. The facts
are that all of the desirable land in that
valley has been entered and improved by
white men. The said valley is rather
densely populated, containing, in addi-
tion to the numerous farmers and stock
raisers, four towns Of good size. The
lands are well Improved. 1t is imprac-
ticable to remove Joseph thereto. Be-
sides, the settlers there are unwilling
that he and his band should be returned |
to the valley. For these and other good
reasons, the Office must decline to take
any action looking to the location of Jo- |
seph In the said valley.
Moreover, it is .ascertaincd that his /
present home is situated in a delightful
section of the country--the Nes-
pilem valley, within the colville reserva-
ton. The cl'niat. and soil there are all
that could be wished for, aud some of his |