The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1902-09-09
DEPL 0RABLE SITUATION
ON THE RESERVATION
The "BOotlegger" Is Debauching the
Indian, and Agent Lynch Writes
sharp Letter on the Matter.

lie sIIuatlOH on tne 1aR1ma lndlan
reservation at the present time calls
forth short letter from Agent Jay
Lynch, in which white men come in for
general scoring. 1t seems a shame
that such condition should exist in
this enlightened age, and it is deplor-
able, that the white people OF the valley
should lend their aid to the nefarious
business of whiskey selling to these
wards OF the nation. Mr.. Lynch saws
that it seems nece sary for him to leave
his Office and take the field in person
against whiskey peddlers among the In
! dams, and that such is necessary is
mainly because there is no deputy Uni
ted States marshal here to apprehend
the violators of the law. 1t appears
that other officers OF the law will not aid
him in his work and business men and
leasers of Indian lands will not prose-
cute nor appear in cases where they
know an offense has been committed.
II such is the actual situation on the
reservation it is time the people of this
city were taking hand, and petition
ing the government for proper officials
to handle the white men who carry on
the traffic of selling whiskey to the In
dams This should be attended to be-
fore fair time, when the Indians come to
the city by the thousands and are apt
to cause considerable trouble.
i There are white men in this city. it is
said, who are row making it regular
business to sell whiskey to Indians.
While not all Of the Indians are drinkers
OF fire water, there are a great many
young bucks who are bad in every sense
of the word, AMI when under the influ-
ence of whisks : they are as hard to con-
troll as bolt OF lightning. Since doing
away with the U. S. deputy marshal
here the illicit traffic has increased ten
I. fold, and the debauchery that is now
going on among the Yakimas is alarm
ing. "Bootleggers" are as common as
the hobo and they are plying the trade
for all it is worth. The Indians are
ready buyers OF whiskey; in fact, they
hail with delight the situation, and are
making merry with considerable less
secrecy than on former occasions.
The principal points at which the
business is carried on is in the southern
part OF the city close to the city limits,
Ion nd OF 81,
Ahtanum river, below Old Town. The
Indians have their meeting places, and
the bootlegger is always on hands with
his little bottle of alcohol to exchange
for double its retail cost. Some of the
drunken Indians are arrested in this
place, but invariably they go to the
reservation and make "Rome howl" as
though the days of their forefathers had
returned.
1t is on the reservation where the
greatest trouble is experienced. U. S.
Agent Jay Lynch, in an official letter to
Superintendent of Irrigation w. II.
Redman, regarding the sale of whiskey
to these Indians and the leasing of
land, says:
at seems necessary for me to leave
the office and take the field in person to
drive out whiskey pedlars.
"The county commissioners have seen
fit to grant licenses for saloons at Nab
ton'and Zillah, and have done nothing
to put check or assist in putting a
check on the sale of liquor to Indians.
1.-THE renters and business men will
not make complaint nor try to prose-
cute a case when they know the law is
being violated. They think it too much
trouble.
1t seems that cannot have deputy
marshal, deputy sheriff, nor even con-
stable nor justice OF the peace, and il
am to be required to suppress this per-
nicious business alone, l shall begin at
the root of the evil. 1t is bal enough
to have $500 Indians to handle without
the addition OF any white men, therefore
| shall not write any more leases nor
forward any for approval ii written.
81 very much regret the conditions
which make this step necessary, but
deem it for the best interests of the ser
vice, and further, shall not hesitate to
recommend the canceling OF such leases
as may be deemed advisable ii occasion
j requires"