The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1901-01-29
OPPOSED BY
THE CHIEFS
Cattlemen Don't Want to Part
With Lands
AT SAINT IGNATIUS
The Commissioners Meets Indians
Majority of the Tribe in Favor Of
Opening the Reservation.

If the wishes of the rich cattle
owners of the northern part of the
Flathead Indian reservation are "e-
sp cted rather than those of major
ity of the Indians interested that part
of the reservation it is now sought
to segregate and make part of Flat
head county will continue to remain
in the territory assigned to the IN
dians. The commissioners appointed
to learn what the sentiments of the
Indians were. however, hope that
eventually the change will be made,
and they are unanimous in the De-
lief that the sooner it is made, the
better it will be for the Indians and
the state of Montana at large.
Several years ago the department
of the interior appointed commits
sion to treat with the Indians, the
idea being to secure the extreme
northern part of the Flathead Indian
reservation as a part of the public
domain to be opened to settlement as
other lands not reserved. The com
mission made no progress, and two
years ago the legislature passed a
joint memorial introduced by Senator
Worden of Missoula in which congress
was urged to take further steps TO-
V1 hri, ,rriY hn srtn h0
lie domain.
About year ago B. j. McIntire,
who is now representative in the
seventh legislative assembly from
Flathead county, was made a member
of the commission, and steps were
taken to renew the overtures with
the Indians. Early this month the
commission planned to have a coun-
Gil with all the members of the tribes
living on the Flathead reservation,
who are jointly interested in the dis
position of the lands. The council
was appointed for Jan. 4, S and G.
Runners were sent out over the reser-
walton as was told In the Herald
some time ago urging the Indians to
attend the convention, and to there
express their views. Owing to the
severe weather which was encounter
ed about that time the council was
not as satisfactory to the commission
as it had hoped. The weather was
extremely cold and few of the H.
dians ventured to St. Ignatius mission,
where the council took place. Those
who were most interested the big
| cattle owners on the part sought to
be segregated, however, did not fail to
be on hand at the meeting and they
were in earnest in their opposition to
the plan.
Representative Mcintyre said that in
spite of the fact that the large cattle
men were opposed to the segregation
of the lands, he believed the majority
of the Indians would approve the divis-
ion.
There can be no question about the
advisability of such a STEP" said Rep
resentative Mcintyre. TT is not alone
the people in general who would pro-
fit by the segregation of these lands,
but what is still more to be consider
ed in this case the Indians themselves
would gain decided advantage. This
land is now used by only few rich
cattle owners the principal one of
which, was given to understand, was
not even a member of any tribe en-.
titled to places on the reservation. He
had married a Flathead Indian, and
in that way secured a footing on the
reservation, where hundreds of his
cattle now Craze. understand that
this one man who is breeder, sold
more than 100000 worth of cattle last
year.
The commission estimated that there
were 100000 acres of land to each
family located on the strip it is sought
to add to Flathead county. Now anyone
will admit that 5000 acres of land is
more than any Indian requires and
more than he should have when by
having it he prevents others who arc
certainly his equals from having
homes
"The plan contemplates the segrega
ton of strip of land the extreme
southern boundary of which is locat
ed six or seven miles south of the foot
of Flathead lake and runs east anG
west to the line of the Flathead coun