The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-07-14
INDIANS ASSERT
THEIR RIGHTS
SAY THE STATE CLAIMS TOO
MUCH SCHOOL LAND.
These Are to Be Sold to Townsite
Boomers, and the Reds Do Not See
Where They Come In.
Special to The Journal.

Special to The Journal. VS.
Bonesteel, S. D., July 14-Char.
ging the state of South Dakota with
attempting to take $3.50 acres Of
school lands in the Rosebud rserva-
ton, in excess of what it Is entitled
to, the Indians Of the reservation
have wired a protest to President
Roosevelt
At the rate of 81 an acre, which
the Indians would receive if the lands
were taken up by homestead settle-
ment, they would receive about $685.
900. AS school lands the Indians will
receive only half this amount. In
addition, the homesteaders will lose
over 5000 acres, which they might
otherwise take up. 1t is the purpose
of Commissioner Of Lands and Edu-
cation Bach to sell these school lands
for townsite purposes on Aug. 81.
The Indians have engaged j. w.
Lindsay, attorney, of Geddes to push
their protest, and it promises to up
set all the well-laid townsite plans.
Mr.. Lindsay is confident that the ac-
ton of the state is a violation of the
statutes .r...s
Article 2 of the act of congress,
| opening the Rosebud to homestead
entry, provides that the government
agrees to dispose of the same to
settlers under the provisions of the
homestead and townsite laws, except
sections 16 and So, or an equivalent
of two sections in each township"
Section 8, article 5, provides that if
sections 16 and SO have been allotted
to the Indians and lost to the state,
for indemnity school lands the gov
ernor, with the approval of the Sec
| rotary of the interior, is authorized,
in the tract herein coded, to locate
other lands not occupied, not exceed
ing two sections in any one township.
| l. -. I. j g.. 49,. \
| States in quantity equal to the loss"
In some townships the state has Sc
lected from three to four sections.
and now has several of these sections
| advertised for sale for townsite pur-
poses.
The state has apparently interpret
| ed the law as meaning that If the
sections 16 and So are not allotted,
the state is still entitled to select the
additional lands.
| If the protest Of the Indians should
! result in the defeat of the state, it
| will upset all the plans made by
| townsite companies to take UP these
lands for toWnsite purposes.
Bonesteel, S. D., July 14.-Parties
from as far east as Bangor, Me-, have
registered here for Rosebud lands and
| from as far west as the state of Wash
ington and as far south as Florida.
There are about one hundred
notaries here, all clamoring for their
share of the 25 cents per person.
which the government allows for
| drawing registration papers. Persons
who have been her for only two weeks
are in the locating business and work
| the greenhorn who trusts his business
| to them. Pickpockets are numerous,
but owing to the vigilance Of the city
| police their profits are very small.
| Gambling on the streets has been pro-
hibited and all games are confined to
| the saloons. The souvenir badge man
| is here and is reaping a harvest selling
scent badges to the easterner for a
| quarter.
1.-The, lunchcounter man is greatly in
| evidence, and tons of sandwiches ere
| sold at 5 cents each. At least 5000
| people are in today. A great number
| of old soldiers have registered thru
| agents. 1t, is intimated by the officials
OF registration that about $4,000 will
| register for these lands.
Yankton, S. D., July 14.-Three
| thousand and ninety-six was yester-
| days record at the registration offices
in Yankton. While this is smaller
than yesterday, the crowd on the
| streets seemed to be fully as large.
" One of the noticeable groups at the
registration offices today was that
composed of the Sisters of Mercy from
| the Sacred Heart hospital in Yankton.
Their uniform, which invariably sim
giles them out for especial respect, was
a striking contrast to the motley
| throng at the offices. The same cour-
| tesy: which has been extended to all
| ladies was shown to the sisters and
they were admitted ahead of the long
| line OF men.
AS the crowds increase and the de-
mand for rooms becomes more press
| ing, the homes of the refined and Gull
tured people are being turned open to
| admit the better class of visitors, who
| prefer the comforts Of home.
The Rosebud reservation will not
| hold all who are coming, but there
| are hundreds Of desirable claims west
| of the Missouri river, which are under
| the free homestead law. When the
| next great reservation, the Cheyenne
Reserve, is thrown open, as it will be
within few years, there will be rush
| for homes that will discount the great
| Oklahoma rush, and it will show the
effect Of the advertising that the state
| is getting now.