New-York tribune., 1902-01-29
LEASING INDIAN LANDS.
THE CASE OF THE FLORENCE MINING
COMPANY.
POSTMASTER GENERAL PAYNE AND GOV
ERNOR ODELL NOT NOW CONNECTED
WITH THE CONCERN.

yvasbirgton Ian. 8-Secretary Hitchcock to-day
sent the Senate all the papers on ME I'D His
office bearing the proposed lease OF o' acres ol
land in the Uintah Indian Reservation IN Ctah.
to the Florence Mining Company. In his letter OF
transmittal the Secretary says he has not given
final consideration TO the lease.
Among the papers transmitted is letter TO the
Secretary from the attorney of the company. dated
October 10 last urging early action on the lease
He says that the company is composed of men OF
large affairs and ample financial ability ana was
organized for the sole purpose OF operating uhuer
this lease In response to this request tne Secre-
tary asked the Commissioner OF Indian Affairs for
report lease. and the latter, replying under
date of October 16, said he understood that the
company desired to prospect for minerals north OF
Strawberry River, and recommended thal lhe
necessary authority be given TO the company 20
negotiate with the Indians. On the same date the
commissioner sent messages 10 Indian Agent My
ton and others. informing them that the secretary
had granted this authority.
On December "a Senator Kearns sent a letter TO
the Secretary informing him OF reports that the
prominent Indians of the tribe had not been sum-
moned to the council called TO consider the leasing
proposition. and that the Indians who had been
present ar that council had been told that III the
Indians did not speedily consent to the lease Con-
gress would take their lands away from them, as
had been done in Colorado Senator Penrose wrote
letter on the same date urging disapproval OF the
lease and detailing the same reports forwarded
by Senator Kearns. On the other side a letter
from Agent Myton, dated December 81 lasl' says
1.-The lease matter is all straight The agent also
said that the council was full and complete and
that the Indians were unanimously in favor OF the
lease
January ? asked the secretary of the Florence
company for proofs of the organization OF the
company and list Of its officers The reply
showed that the company was organized IN New
Jersey in 1899. and that benjamin B. Odell jr and
Henry c. Henderson, Of New-YOrk; Henry Z
Payne and Charles +. Pfster, OF Milwaukee; Will
lam :. Potwin and Leroy D. Thoman, OF Chicago
and J. C Thompson. OF East Orange, y. J., were
the directors first chosen. Mr.. Payne was elected
president and served until January %. 1899. when
he resigned both the offices of director and preSt-
dent OF the company. At the same time Mr.. Odeu
resigned as director and treasurer. Mr.. Phster
then chosen president and he continues in
that office.
the Indian Commissioner said that the Indians
We're to receive royalty OF per cent for the
minerals mined. Among the aftidavits presented
is from Francis La Rose. who said that he
present at the Indian council and that Agent
Myton had told the Indians that he had received
a letter from Washington saying that the govern
they did not make ths lease the white would
come in and take their lands. while IL they signed
they would be protected in their possessions.
Various other affidavtts by Indians OF the
same tenor. Other Indians who came to Washing
ton last December gave their testimony before the
Commissioner OF Indian Affairs TO the effect that
there were two hundred three hundred Indians
present the council and that they favored the
lease