The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-06-24
HOUMA LAND LITIGATION.
Another Step In the Troubles Ovev Some Ole
Indian Lands in Louisiana.

NEW OHLEASS, June Z3.-AIter a quiet OF
several years the Houma land grant has again
come TO the front to occupy the attention Of
the United States courts. Probably no public
lands in the country have given the United
States more trouble than those Of the Houms
Indians. There have been more laVsuits
over them. conspiracles. riots and disturbances
than over any other part Of the Federal do
main. The question has frequently figured
in local politics and more than onoe has obtruded
itself on Congress. Tho Houma Indians occu-
pied a considerable part Of south Louisiana
| when the French landed there. There was a
HOuma village on the present site OF New Or
leans. The Indians were quiet and peace
able: they gave the whites no trouble. In
consequence tho whites had a great deal Of
trouble themselves. The Indians were gradu-
| ally crowded out OF all the fertile lands they
owned. and took refuge in the swamps on both
| sides of the Amite River in Livingston aud
| Ascension par ishes,
In 1920 the tribe became totally extinct and
the lands were thrown open by the Government
to settlement. 1t was found. however. that
there we're old French and Spanish claims TO
them-for the Spanish piled their claims three
OF four thick on every acre OF land in southern
! Louisiana. An attempt was made to Dust the
~ 7soAt "a A'be "a hASy .
a rather lawless lot. and a. everybody In that
section was q squatter the matter was finally
settled by perfecting their titles.
There was the same trouble In Ascension
Parish. The Government opened the land TO
public settlement In 1929, and again In 1885.
Quite q lumber Of entries were made in the
latter year. but when those who had entered
the land attempted to take possession OF their
property they found It already occupied by
sQuatters. both white and black, who had held
i for several generations without, the slightest
title. This brought up the old Livingston
trouble. The squatters refused to leave. and
threatened TO resent any attempt al disposses-
sion. After much parleying a compromise
agreed to pay a certain sum Of money, either
in lump or In installment, provided they were
left In their possession.
fce threw these lands open TO entry, for the
| third time and many entries were made. Tho
occupants OF the lands, squatters and others,
began a new mode Of war. They declared
that they were being p~estered by land specu.
not In good faith and intended. TO milk and
known as the Land Investigating Committee
Of Ascension Parish" TO investigate the matter
and see who were the men instrumental In
getting up these land entries. The commit
tee devoted much time and attention to this
matter and reported that the entry scheme
was being worked from New Orleans, lands
being fraudently entered there, compelling
the occupants of these lands 10 buy them from
those who got titles through the United states
| Land Oillce, The case, which hlS been n long
| one. in which the whole history Of land grants
In louisiana from the earliest days has
been gone over, has resulted. to the surprise OF
many. In a conviction of W. n. Wright Of New
Orleans and A. $. Cornet and r. Fl. Cox Of As
oension Of entering public land In Ascension
| parish by fraudulent claims and pretences,
The sQuatters and other occupants Of the
public lands In dispute. who constitute q
large part Of the population Of the eastern
half Of Ascension. believe that by this CT iminal
proceeding. and the conviction of the men
making these enti les. they have put ar end TO
| the troubles from which they have sun red so
I've apain and again to keep their farms. They
have made 1t too hot they say. for tho land
spectators. But II Congress. or the United
further trouble and disputing Of titles In the
Houma land grant It would prevent Q great
deal Of Ill feeling. smooth down politics and
| been before the courts for nearly SEVENTY tsarl