The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-03-06

reau. who IS known among the aborig
inc tribes Of the Far West as the great
peacemaker." has lately renewed his
claim TO the title by settling in an ami
cable way the in ler nal discussions OF the
Occur d AIene tribe OF Idaho A delega-
tion from the tribe which visited the
Indian Bureau several days ago have now
left the city. and have returned 70 their
homes on the Occur d'Alene reservation
fully satisfied with the result Of their
journey. But il was not until they had
made their departure that their curious
mission was made public.
There are several factions in the tribe,
and each faction wished 10 elect a chief.
There was much dissensi-n and dissatis-
faction over the affair, and after many
councils and pow-wowy It was decided to
take the case to the agent in charge Of
the reservation. This was done. but the
agent, who did not see the necessity OF
a chief at all. refused to have anything
TO do with the matter
II was then decided by the tribe that il
would send a committee OF five OF its
wisest men 10 the Great White Chief at
Washington and have him settle the mat
Ter Ia person t-ScUIQlLslt the I'VE SdEeS
made the Journey to this city and ap-
preached the Indian Commissioner on the
subject in the most solemn manner Mr.
Jones heard the delegation through and
told them he would consider the matter
and render decision in a few days and.
according TO the Indian notion, this was
quite the right thing 20 do.
Mr.. Jones used the few days given him
to the best possible advantage He tele-
graphed for the Occur d'Alene agent 20
come Immediately 10 the Department. and
in the meantime looked up the reports
that had come from that agency for the
past year. Right here a funny incident
occurred
The Occur d'AIene agent acting on the
superstition that he woul1 be sent for. left
the reservation the day before the Com
missioner's telegram reached there, and
when il was received by his clerk the
following message was sent 10 the De-
partuient inreply.
Anderson left here en- route Tor Wash
ington yesterday
tSigncd.) ANDEtsSoN-
The Commissioner was a Httle puzzled
to know the meaning Of this contrdtic-
tory statement until the next day M
Anderson walked into his office and was
shown the telegram. Re laughed heartily
over the aaAd-l anu -a+'t AaN Ne 'l'ts'N'A ---a
clerk he'd signed his name 10 the tele-
gram, without thinking Of its meaning.
Mr. Anderson theI explained 10 The Com
missioner the condition of Affairs at his
agency and advised the COMMISSIONS Of
the course 10 pursue in regard 70 the Sc
lection Of a chief
According to Mr.. Anderson the trouble
was caused by the efforts Of some white
settlers who owned property near the
reservation 10 secure leases from the In
dams. IN person. for some particular bits
Of land which was valuable 10 them as
pasture lands Ii is against the laws Of
the Indian Bureau for a-y person TO en-
ter into contract with an Indian ID
reservation and these cattlemen had been
prosecuted before the courts by AT. An
derson previously
This led 10 the forming Of different fac
lions IN the tribe. for the Indians who
Owned the land coveted BY the ranchers
wished TO gram them leases fer II and
secure the money for their private use.
whereas IL the land was leased by the
Government all che tribe would receive
an equal share OF the profits
The annual selection OF a chief being
due there were three candidates, SeiJlse
and Sol Louie. representing the Indians
who wished 20 grant private leases 10 the
cattlemeu, and Pierre Wild-Sho repre-
senting the larger faction who wished the
land 10 be leased BY the Government with
an equal share Of profits.
When the matter was laid before tire
Commissioner in this light he summoned
the delegation 70 appear before him and
rendered q decision in favor Of Pierre
Wild-Sho and the faction he represented.
He explained 20 them that the lands were
given 20 them as a tribe aud not as in
dividuals and the only right way for The
lands 70 be leased was for the Govern
ment % lease them and 90 have the
money derived from this TO be used Tor
the benefit Of the tribe as a whole.
The members Of both factions received
this decision with the utteTmOst stOlidity
and have returned 10 their lands where
the agent says they viii abide by the
decision OF the Commissioner and give
no further trouble.
An employe Of the Pension Oace who
formerly resided in Georgia is responsible
for the following story telling Of a ludic-
rOus exhibition Of nerve displayed b.
VveIl-known citizen OF that state whom. for
prudential reasons. he simply names the