The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1903-02-28
.E0RI SHERMAN RESERVE
TO BIZ SOLD AT PUBLIC AUcTron
Between senator Dubois
and the Department Governments
willing 70 Sell After Congress Ad-
JosrRs- Congress Opposed to soldiers
Mn.s.a

The following correspondence receiv
Cd from Senator Dubois, which we take
the liberty Of publishing for the genera
information OF the public, shows that
there Is very little prospect OF securing
soldiers home at Fort Sherman
while the post may be put up and sold
without delay after the adjournment Of
Congress
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
GENERAL LAND OFFICE
Washington, ID. G., Feb. 9, 1903.
The Honorable Secretary OF the Interior:
Sir; | have the honor TO acknowledge
the receipt. by your reference OF Janu-
AIRY 81. 1903, for early report, in dupli-
cate, and return of letter, Of a commu.
nication from Hon. Fred r. Dubois and
Hon. Henry Heitield, in which they
unite In asking that the Fort Sherman
abandoned military reservation, located
at Occur d'Alene. Idaho, be disposed Of
In some manner, and in which they
state that 1t is the desire of the citizens
IN Occur d Alene who are most interest.
ed, and 1t is their best Judgment that
the property should revert TO individual
ownership; that there has been some
talk OF converting the reservation into
National Soldiers Home for the
Northwest, but that this is not feasible
nsr desired. and the request does not
come from any representative people
10 Idaho; that y memorial in the Idaho
Legislature at It's last session asked
Congress 70 donate the land for such a
home, but they feel safe in saying that
the disposal Of the lands to individual
owners would be entirely agreeable to
all interested: and that they consulted
those in charge Of the legislation in
both branches Of Congress and satisfied
themselves that 1t would be extremely
difficult, If not impossible, to induce
Congress to establish national soldiers
home at that point.
said reservation was declared by ex-
ecutiye orders dated August Is, 1879.
and April ~. 1850. and enlarged by ex-
ecutiVe orders dated May 26, 1891, and |
February 2, 1892, and transferred to the |
control Of this department by executive
order dated October 5, 1900, for disposal
under the act OF July 5, 1884 l23 Stat,
l0sl. The reserve is situated at the
north end of Occur d'Alene Lake, near
The city Of Occur d'Alene. II embraces
$500 acres and contains 81 buildings,
belonging 70 the government, aggre-
eating, according TO a report of the
QnaFtermaster General, l.. S. Army, the
value of s53,I50.
Congress. by act of March 3. 1901 (Si
Stat.,>ll00), made appropriation for the
payment Of the salary of custodian
Tor the reservation.
On December s, 1900, the Assistant
Of the Interior directed that
40 action be taken looking to the dis.
'osal of the reservation until further
'rders. This order was issued in order
o give opportunity to secure legislation
o establish thereon soldiers home.
On December l6, 1901, Senator Heit-
ED presented In the United States SEN
tie the petition OF the Legislature of
IDAHO, praying for the enactment of
egislation providing for the establish
nent Of a branch Of the National Sol
hers Home at Fort Sherman, Idaho.
aid petition was referred to the COM
nittee on military affairs. The petition
Ippears TO have passed both houses Of
he legislature, and to have been signed
y the Governor of Idaho, in February.
sol.
ON May II, 1909, Senator Turner in
reduced in the Senate, S. 5SI5, which
proposes TO dedicate the reservation
nder consideration for the use Of
ranch home for disabled volunteer
oldiers, TO be located at Occur d'Alene.
IDAHO. The bill was read twice and re- !
erred to the committee on military
fairs.
Under the circumstances, would not {
commend revocation of the afore-
aid order OF suspension Of December s.
300, until Congress has acted on said
i'll or at least until after the expiration /
the present session of Congress, when {
no action has been taken, the matter {
light again be considered.
The letter submitted is herewith re-
lmed. Very respectfully,
w. A, RICHARDS, Commissioner.