The Minneapolis journal., 1905-10-12
RICH LAND MAY
I BE THROWN OPEN
GOVERNMENT IS NOW INvEsTI-
eating LEASED INDIAN LANDS.
Department Of Interior Sends Official
to Cheyenne Reservation to Make In
quiry Into Complaints Of Cattle Rails
ers-Probability of It Becoming a
White Settlement.
Special to The Journal.

Special to The Journal.
Aberdeen. s. D.. Oct 12.-An Investigation
Indian lands for grazing purposes is in prog
fess ut the Cheyenne agency west of the Mis-.
souri, river in South Dakota. under the drec-
t1on OF an attache of the interior department
ana an attorney representing the Indians Rights
association.
The big cattle raisers. who for many years
enjoyed the free range and who made millions
out of the business. are said to have CON-
planned to the association, which in turn com
plalhed to the department of the interior that
the leasing system was not working to the
advantage Of the Indians. The present inquiry,
which has been under way for several weeks,
was undertaken as a result Of the complaints.
Prior to three years ago a few big stockmen
an ana cattle syndicates in Sioux City, Omaha.
thousands Of head of horses and cattle on the
Lands OF the Indians of the Cheyenne reserva-
tlohs absolutely free, except for small sums
paid 'squaw mem and halfbreeds who possessed
innuence with the Indians, and who acted as
thelr representatives. In 1901 Major Ira Hatch,
the agent at the reservation, undertook to clear
the reservation of trespassing stock. 1t was
estimated there were 100. 600 head grazing on
the range at that time. for which the Indians
received nothing. The total value of this graz
Ing at $50 head amounts to S5 100000.
Major Hatch succeeded in putting into force
the leasing system. and as result the Indians
have already received in rentals s29s, 900, or
nearly go for every man. woman and child on
the reservation. the total Indian population of
q soo AAik Al 'no nct6huoi Va
1000 But the time is nearing when the leases
VIII expire. and, as South Dakotans acquainted
with the situation state. the cattle barons are
seeking to regain the hold on the reservation
which they formerly possessed, and are trying
TO achieve their ends thru the misplaced sym
| pathy of the Indians Rights association.
Inc cheyenne reservation is nearly 100 miles
long and rs miles wide. 1t is conceded to
be the finest grazing. ground in the United
States. Where crops have been planted they
| have yielded abundantly. For a long time
| the cattlemen prevented the Indians from tax.
| ing land In severalty, they knew this action
| on the part of the Indians would hasten the
time when the reservation would be opened
| to settlement. AS the influence of the cattiemer
has decreased the Indians have commenced tt
take their lands In severalty, and now nearly
all of them have selected their lands. Thi!
leaves an immense area of fertile soil that nov
! lies Idle except as it Is used for grazing Dur
poses. with one head of stock to every thirt,
| acres Should 1t be opened to settlement i
| Will furnish comfortable homes for thousands O.
white families. People who have traversed tn
| region say 1T Is as fine as any section of tn
northwest, and that should 1t be opened the rusl
VIII be enormous 1t is believed the einvesti
| cation at present under way will hasten tn
opening Of the reservation to settlement
! Nv. ID. Swain. an Aberdeen real-estate man
this week purchased the ranch of R. K Burto
on the James river. south and east of Aber
(deen. paying 900 for the ranch. The trac
consists OF l,32O acres, and is fine farm.
Adelbert Eaton, and Virgil Jantway threshe
hands who have been working for Captain "
W. Jacobs of Columbia, are confined in tb
Brown county jail on the charge Of robbing th
store Of John Gsskin of Columbia