The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-10-11
STAMPEDE FOR LANDS IN
COLV|LLE Reservation.


acres OF land. At al conservative esti-
mate there are at least $4,000 acres OF
hrst-class agricultural land on the north
half which can be taken up when
II Is thrown open to entry.
II do not think the south half will be
opened to entry for long time. / hope
It will not be. The Indians there are not
In shape for allotments, and may not
be for years. Allotments give to In
dams the rights Of citizens right that
should not be extended to south half
Indians Those on the south half are the
San Polls. NespeIims. Columbias. Nez
Perces and portion OF the Okanogans.
sometimes called the Lower Okanogans.
In all there are about 1900 in round num-
bers Again. none OF the land has been
surveyed. and the department Is opposed
to allotments until surveys have been
made. / think II win probably be long
time before the south half will be open
to entry and settlement other than en-
tyies under the mining laws"
Title to the Indian allotments will re-
main In the government for twenty-five
years In trust for the Indians. and at the
expiration of that time deeds in fee SIM
pie will be executed. In the interim the
lands are not subject to taxation. but the
right of eminent domain under the laws
OF Washington Is extended to cover them
Many Tracts Of Rich Land.
The newcomers first impression Is that
the north half II all mountains and that
there IL no good land. but closer inspec-
ton shows that along the valleys 81 the
principal rivers and creeks. on the bench
es and hillsides back from the valleys and
along the many mountain streams are
tracts OF rich lands.
There Is also a table land In the Meyers
creek country In the northwestern part
OF the reservation along the international
boundary extending about fifteen miles
east and west and from eight to twelve
miles north and south. II has a rich
black soil and Is well adapted to forming.
There is running water on yearly every
section and patches Of timber along. little
creeks SUFFICIENT for farming purposes
At the hcadwaters Of Toroda crcek
southeast of Bonaparte mountain, are
some fine meadows. and down TorodaA
creek at intervals the valley widens out
and affords opportunities for a limited
number OF farms.
The Curlew valley.
At about the central point on the reser-
walton is the town OF Republic. county
seat of Ferry county. containing about
5000 of as wide-awake and energetic peo-
pie as can be found anywhere. The town
IL supported entirely by the surrounding
mines
The Curiew valley must be the principal
source OF local supply OF garden. orchard
and farm products for Republic camp and
city. The valley Is easily accessible from
town. there being no step hills TO climb
going either way. and only two and one
half miles distant
The north and south forks Of the San
Poll unite about Ave miles east Of Re
public. forming San Poii creek. which
flows northeasterly one and one half miles
70 point on apparently level ground
where Its waters divide. the part flowing
south stiil known San Poll creek and
the part flowing north as Curiew creek
From here curiew creek flows north two
miles through splendid timothy meadows
70 the head OF Curiew lake. Curiew lake
Is A beautiful body 0f clear cold water
lying IN the open valley, and il ahou, a
half mile wide and extends Ave miles
north from its head It's outlet at the
north Is stlli called Curiew creek and
flows north ten miles TO the Kettle river
az the town NJ Curlcw
Along the bottoms Of curlew lake and
creek are fine timothy meadows but
most Of these lands were allotted to In
dams ON either side OF the valley.
however, are benches from one-half 10
two miles wide that receive the wash
from the mountains and are watered by
frequent springs and little creeks and
are covered with sihe bunch grass
Back from the benches higher stIii.
nr and tamarAck timber, placed br "a
tgrc where u u mos; convenient for tho
fuel, fences and buildings % the home.
s'saaers who settle on the benches.
Garden spaf. on Greeks.
on the east side % Curisw valley
there Is the north fork and the south
fork q the San PolL Lambert
creek and Rock creek on the
west side "a trout creek and En-
p.fe creek. besides numerous smaller
creeks on either side. Aiong tho banks
% all these creeks are caoirc garden
spots ard thousands q acres Of good
Land
There viii always ha a good l0eAi mar
Set for farm aHG garden products Even
BOW. when the mineral lands have been
oaiy partially prospecrea. and extensive
Development done only in a few places.
Il ts impossible 70 secure an adequate
supply % garden produce ard small
fruit
There Is a garden patch on the west
hank of CurleW lake az tho mouth 81
Trout creek q about twenty acres that
Is faTmed In a very primitive and hab-
hazard manner. and yet 81 500 worth ~