The Courier. (Genoa, Nev.) 1899-1904, 1901-02-15
THE wAsHoE INDIANS.
The Government May Give Assist
anee in Building Homes for Them.

The following letter explains itself:
OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS,
Washington, January 10, 1901.
Hon. francis q. Newtaqd8,
House Of Representatives..
SIR:
The Office is in receipt of your letter
dated December 81, 1900, enclosing a
letter to you, dated December %, 1900,
from John Barrett, of Sheridan, Ne
vada, stating that he writes at the re-
quest OF Dick Bender, Washoe In
dian, in behalf of the Indians of his
tribe. Mr.. Barrett says it is the desire
of said Indians to procure government
assistance for the old and crippled In
dams of the tribe, but that if such as
sistance cannot be afforded, they
would like to have permission granted
them to cut dead trees from their lands
into wood and sell the wood. Mr..
Blrrett remarks that he knows of no
reason why the Indians should not be
permitted TO cut trees from their lands,
inasmuch as the best they can do to
make living is to work in hay fields
in the summer time during period of
three months, the money thus earned
being spent before winter arrives,
when it is most needed. He says that
the Indians are good workers and
would no doubt be able to make liv-
ing by cutting wood during the winter
time, if permitted to do SO.
Respecting this matter you ask to be
advised whether any relief can be
granted to the old crippled Indians re-
ferred to, and as TO what action can be
taken regarding the cutting of wood
on the pine nut lands mentioned.
In reply you are advised that refer
ence is doubtless had to the individual
members of the Washoe tribe of In
dams, in the State of Nevada, to whom
allotments of lands have been made on
the public domain under the provis-
ions of the 4th section of the General
Allotment Act of February s, 1887, IA
Stats, 1881 as amended February %,
1891, (26 Stats, 794). These allotments
have been approved and trust patents
therefor have been issued in favor of
the majority of them.
There is no doubt from the informa-
ton by the Office from various sources
that these indians deserve to receive
attention at the hands of the govern
ment in order that their future welfare
and civilization may be promoted.
The Office, however, seriously doubts
the wisdom of affording them assist
ance in the way of provisions or cloth
ing and it hesitates to adopt any policy
in that direction. Several reasons for
this opinion may be given. In the
first place there is no doubt but that if
the old and crippled Indians were to
be assisted that the number would con-
stantly increase and become larger
from year to year. Again, there would
be a temptation on the part of the
stronger and more vigorous Indians
who would be able to take care of
themselves, to subsist upon the pro-
visions furnished those really in need.
There is another consideration, and
that is that considerable difficulty
would be experienced and trouble and
expense involved in delivering sup
plies to these scattered bands of In
dams on the public domain who are
not under the authority or supervision
of any Indian Agent.
There are a large number of non
reservation Indians scattered through
the States of Nevada, Northern Cali
fornia and Oregon, whose situation
and condition are practically the same
as those indicated in connection with
the Washoes. The office believes that
it would be far better and that more
permanent results would follow if as
sistance could be afforded all of these
people in locating on their allotments
and building homes for themselves
thereon and by furnishing them with
ample school facilities
Respecting the cutting and removal
of dead timber from their allotments,
you are advised that the Indians may
cut and sell such timber without violat-
ing provision of law or regulation of
the Department. This question was
submitted to the Attorney General of
the United States in connection with
allotments under the provisions of the
General Allotment Act of February 8,
1887, and in an opinion rendered Jan
uary 26, 1889, (10th Opinions, page
1922, he held that Indians might not
sell merchantable timber growing up.
on their allotments, but left it to be in
ferred that dead timber, either stand
ing or fallen, might oe so cut and re-
moved. This question, however, was
further considered by the Department
of Justice and all doubt removed in an
opinion rendered by Attorney General
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