The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1901-05-13
THE KIowA CHIEF PROTESTS TO
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
The Arbitrary Methods Of Indian Asent
Randiett and AiIotInR Agent Msssler
IN Selecting the Grazing Lands
for the Indians, the Cause
Of the Trouble.
Special to the Ardmoreite.

Washington for the purpose OF
protesting to the interior depart
ment against the arbitrary methods
adopted by Agent Randlett of the
Anadarko agency and Alloting
Agent Messler, who is in charge
of the work of allotiug the lands
to the Indians in the Kiowa, Co.
manche and Apache reservations.
The trouble arises over the loca-
ton of the $50, coo acre pasture
which, under the provisions of the
treaty of June 6, 1900, is to be
set aside for grazing purposes for
the Indians. II was the intention
of congress that these grazing
lands should be devoted exclusively
to the pasturing of Indian cattle,
many members of the tribes hav-
ing large herds. The act also pro
vided in explicit language that the
Indian council should select the
pasture lands for them. Acting
upon this information, the depart
ment directed him to proceed, and
a tract of land embracing 400, 600
acres was selected on the Red
river, adjoining Texas. The re-
naming $4,000 acres were divided
up in small pastures scattered
around on the reservation.
Chief Lone Wolf insists that the
Indian council never authorized
Agent Randlett to select the land
for them, but on the contrary pro-
tested against his exercising this
authority.
Although the Kiowa, Comanche
and Apache tribes reside on the
reservation there has never been
any cordiality existing between the
Kiowas and Apaches and the Com.
anches. Years ago the Kiowas
and Apaches were constantly at
war with the Comanches, and
while open hostility has ceased in
recent years, there is still a strong
feeling between the tribes. The
Kiowas and Apaches are located
near Anadarko while the Conan
ches occupy a portion of the reser-
vation near Fort Sill. 1t was the
desire of the kiowas and Apaches,
according to Lone Wolf, to have
the 400, 200 acres divided mp into
two pastures-one for the use of
the kiowas and Apaches, the other
for the use of the Comanches.
This request, however, was refused
by Agent Randlett who Lone Wolf
charges has located the 400, 900
acre pasture so far away that it
will be inaccess BILE to the Indians
and will be leased by S, b. Burnett,
large cattleman of Texas who
has leased pastures in the Kiowa
country for many years.
Chief Lone Wolf insists that
when the country is thrown open
to settlement it will be impossible
for the Kiowas and Apaches to
drive their stock to the pasture on
the Red river, distance of nearly
seventy five miles On the other
hand, the pasture will be accessible
to the Comapches, aud particularly
advantageously located for Mr..
Burnett, Lone Wolf has lodged a
protest with the interior depart
ment which will promptly result in
an investigation.
II was the intention Of congress
at the ratification of the treaty that
these pasture lands should be res.
erved exclusively for the Indians
1t appears that from the records OF
the department that preparation i.
being made for the leasing of the
large pasture. Unless the depart
ment acts promptly in the matter,
Lone Wolf says that he will appeal
to congress, when that body con,
yenes in December.
For sale.