Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-20
SOME UNFIT INDIAN AGENTS.
How the Ktckapoos Were worked by
= Kansas Hustler.
Indianapolis News

indianapolis News,
The latest report OF the Indian Rights
association indicates that there is still
need Of improvement in our Indian service,
and especially in the appointment Of indian
agents, which is still on a political basis,
and bad one. A bishop OF the Episcopal
church recently spoke from q Philadelphia
pulpit of an agent known to him who LAY
drunk on the ground" exposed to public
view-an unfortunate example to Indians
who should look to him for protection and
guidance as the representative OF the great
father Another agent who violated q
United States statute and rendered himself
liable to a fine and imprisonment-whic
by the way, was never imposed-was only
removed after more than a years per-
sistent effort on the part Of the associa-
tion. A man at one time agent at Fort
Belknap, Mont, Is under indictment for
malfeasance in office. His predecessor in
ONCE charged with similar offences COM
mitted suicide when this agent was in
dicted, rather than risk a similar fate
But most Of the agents do not commit
suicide. They hang on as long as there is
cent to be made,
An interesting specification is made in
the case of the Kickapoo Indians. formerly
Of this state, but now In Kansas. A mis-
sionary among them charges that the
agent, who is also president OF q local
bank, was privately interested in the pur-
chase OF the allotted lands of deceased
Indians; that all choolB given to the In
dians for annuities, eto., must be presented
at the agents bank for payment; that the
trader stands by the paying teller when
such payments are made. and the amount
alleged to be due him from each individual
1 49, l. -,
money. II is further claimed that when
the law permitting the sale OF the lands of
deceased allottees was passed by congress
the agent and two OF his business asso-
ciates formed a company for speculative
purposes, and that through misrepresenta-
| tion, duress and the use Of money, options
were secured on nearly every available
piece OF land at prices ranging from 40 "a
| so per cent less than the real value. These
business associates OF the agent had free
| access to the agency records describing the
available tracts, together with the names
of the heirs, while other parties wishing
| to secure the land found IL impossible to
| get information necessary to comply with
the regulations of the department in this
| matter. Competition was therefore vir-
tually forced to sign agreements to sell
| these tracts for the price offered. Where
money was given to secure the Indians
consent, 1t is said that such amount was
| to be deducted from the stipulated price
when settlement was made.
One instance is given where these en-
terprising spectators. upon learning OF the
death of a young girl, went to the house
while the funeral services we're being held
and endeavored to induce the parents to
sign an agreement for a sale Of their
daughters allotment. They we're unsuc-
cessful at the time. but shortly after that
the father of the dead girl, while intoxi-
Gated, gave his consent to sale Of the
| land. Subsequently the mans wife wat
| taken to the agents banking ONCE and
kept there until she finally signed the
agreement. OF course the great majority
Of the people of the United States want the
Indians treated with at least common de-
cency, but there does not seem to be much
hope for 1t so long as they have anything
| to be cheated out OF, and the chance to dc
| the cheating is made a political plum
Somebody once suggested that only Sew
enth-day Adventists should be appointed
Indian agents-because they believe the
day OF judgment is in progress. 1t might
be worth while to try them.