Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-12-10
copy of which follows, is being quite
generally signed:

copy of which follows, is being quite
generally signed:
Billings, Montana, Dec. 1. 1900
Dear Sir: The undersigned citizens of
Yellowstone and Custer %ounties Mon
tana, desire to call your attention to the
agreement now pending IN the house of
representatives. for the purchase of GER
tain portions of the Crow Indian Reser-
walton, in Montana.
The ratification of this agreement will
be of incalculable benefit to the state of
Montana. and particularly 10 our coun-
ties. We most earnestly urge You to do
everything possible at the present SEES
sion of congress to see that this agree
ment is ratified by the house. and we re-
spectfully submit the following facts for
your consideration, as Reasons why this
agreement should be ratified:
In August. 1899. the Crow Indians, in
council With the treaty commission,
agreed to sell the northern portion OF
their reservation, comprising. p~roNimate-
ly. 1,150. goo acres. consideration 81, $50, 600.
Tn Indians are disposing of lands from
which they have no use; there are 1000
Indians in the tribe: their reservation at
the present time consists of some $500, 900
acres; their farming and grazing lands
are the southern portion of reservation,
which they retain. The lands they desire
70 sell to the government nave been leas-
ed to stockmen the pas ten years.
The benefits to be derived by the In
dams through this sale are many, and
will undoubtedly place them upon a self
supporting basis. Provisions are made
for the expenditure of $4,000 for the
purchase OF two-year-old southern heif-
ers. to be divided pro ratio among the
tribe: 500. 600. for til completion of their
ditch system:; $40, 600 for the erection of
a hospital: $50. Q00, deposited IN the Unit
ed states treasury at four per cent. for
the maintenance of said hospital: Sac
coo. for fencing the reservation: $40. 600
for the purchase of sheep. SIS, 900 for the
purchase Of jacks for breeding mules, the
remainder to be placed In the United
States treasury, the Indians TO receive
an annual annuity of 81 per capital.
The government receives a magnifi-
cent tract of land, comprising a large
amount Of farming land as Well as graz
ing land. the principal bodies Of farm
ing land lie upon the Big Horn and Vel
lcwstone rivers, which furnish an I'M
limited supply of water for irrigation
purposes. The consideration, as you will
observe. is most equitable. as compared
With sales Of large tracts Of railroad
CiAN Siicut ANlSIllSllltl. lS ANol
ern Pacific railway corporation. in
which is vested the title to a large
amount of and throughout this state
ave received 81 per acre for grazing
lands. and much larger mou for
farming lands. A sale in Yellowstone
county was by thisr railway
company a short time ago for 106 sec
tons of straight grazing lands, com
prising 10 farming lands whatever. at
81 per acre.
The government by the purchase of
this tract, will open for settlers, lands
that will be settled by homeseekers
throughout the country. The available
government lands now open for settle
nlent are most limited, and comprise, in
our state. grazing lands entirely.
We respectfully solicit your endeavors
to the end that the purchase Of these
lands De made by the government.
A surprise party was given in honor