New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-04
MONEY FOR SIX NATIONS.
Over $1,000. 900 InUolved IN Court
of Claims Decision.
IFRoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU

washipq,on Nov, 3-The six Nations, the big
corporation of Indians of New-Hork state. are
anNiously awaiting the decision of the Court or
Claims in regard 10 the distribution Of the money
paid 10 them for lands taken by the government
and afterward opened for settlement. More than
$2.000Oo0 is involved IN the transaction. and the
money to pay them has been appropriated The
final settlement has been held up. however. by the
action OF some OF the tribes formerly associated
with the Six Nations in presenting claims for
share of the money The was argued before
the Court Of Claims Monday and Tuesday, and
it is expected that decision will be handed down
soon
Tie story of the claim of the Six Nations IS an
interesting bit of history with the man
ner III which the Indians have been dealt with by
the government The nations included in the
corporation the Mohawk, Oneida Onondaga,
Cayuga Seneca ard Tuscarora tribes. Up TO 17ls
only the first five tribes included in the
ganization, which known the Five Nations
The Tusoaroras hostile TO the others. and in
the numerous fights that occurred before the open
ing of the eighteenth century they were so de-
peted in numbers that their foes took pity on them
and magnanmously admitted them to full fellow
ship. That at least. IS side of the story.
These Indians all had valuable land in New-York
State and unlike many other tribes, were indus
Jrous, intelligent and thrifty. The value of their
property increased many times and when the gov
eminent desired TO secure some of the land Tor
settlers hundreds of sold at high prices.
With the money thus obtained valuable tract or
timber land in Wisconsin was purchased by the
Six Nations. 1t is understood that at first 1t was
the intention Of the Indians TO remove TO their new
land. but they had retained possession of a large
tract in New-YOrk and after the purchase OF the
Wisconsin land It decided to remain where
they were. In time the value of the timber land
became apparent and the government offered the
Six Nations inducements to give this up They
agreed TO sell it and take in exchange tract of
a million and a half acres in Arkansas. This
land is not fertile that owned in New-York,
and therefore the thrifty red men determined TO
stay where they II not long, however,
before the government. through error threw
the in Arkansas to settlers without say
ing anything to the Indian owners about II.
Settlers in and made the tract fertile farm
ing country.
Then the members of the Six Nations sat up and
took notice. as it were Through Andrew John, an
ex president OF the Seneca tribe they brought the
case to the attention of Congress- and asked for
relief Mr. John came here from New-York in 1880,
and he has been her since pressing the claim.
Through his representations and the arguments OF
counsel employed by the Six Nations Congress
passed a bill appropriatng the money TO pay the
Indians. Before pa yment could be made, however,
claims were fled by members Of other tribes who
had been included in the organization OF the Six
Nations at the time the land in Wisconsin was
sold. These were taken before the Court OF Claims
and payment held up.