Fergus County Democrat., 1905-05-09
The Flathead Reservation Is One of
the Richest Indian Reserves
in the West.
MOST ALL AGRICULTURAL LAND
FIathead Lands May Be Purchased
Outright or Taken Up Under
Homestead Laws.

The number of inquiries concerning
the opening of the Flathead reserva-
tion are increasing every day and
come to Missoula, the gateway, to the
reservation, from all parts Of the
country. Many of them are addressed
to the United States land office here
and others to real estate men and
business men of the city. Consider
able has already been said in the col
umns OF the Democrat in regard to
this vast domain but volumes could
be written in regard to the extent
and richness and the opportunities
afforded hom seekers when it is op-
ened for sett l-ment.
The enrollMent of the red men and
those claimins the right of allotment
has Just been completed, the work
having been done under the direction
of Special United States Agent Downs
and there is found to be close to 2,lO0
names on the list. To these there
will be allotted 80 acres each, or ap-
proXimately 10000 acres. Assuming
that these persons will choose first
class agricull ural land there will be
left to be opened to settlement about
100000 acres III first-class lands.
There are approximately l,500 900
acres of lan>i included within the
boundaries OF the Flathead Indian
reservation.
There are 100000 acres of tirst-class
agricultural land, about 25o,0oo acres
Of second-class land, 100000 acres
grazing land, about $4,000 acres of
land having growing thereon mer-
chantable saw timber, $4,000 acres of
land with cord or fire wood thereon,
andsthe remaining 100000 acres being
mountainous lands denuded Of timber
and reported TO be quite rich in min
eral especially copper.
Under the provisions Of the bill for
the opening, a person desiring to ac-
quire 40, So, 12O or 160 acre tract
can do so without having to actually
reside upon the land for any fixed
period-he may purchase the lands
outright and continue his regular pur-
suits in which he is engaged, or he
may comply with the provisions of the
homestead act and pay for the land in
five payments, covering a period OF
five years.
There need be no apprehension as tc
the appraisment Of these lands: ii
will be of such a character as will
bring the lands within the early tinan,
cial reach Of everybody and will near
the possibility Of home.
Amendments to the original bill
provide for the appointment Of com
mission by the president Of the Uuit
ed States. to be composed CT five
members, two to be members Of one
of the five confederated tribe living
on the reservation, two residents o1
the state of Montana and one to be q
special officer of the interior depart
ment. 1t is provided that this com
mission is to examine and appraise
the lands remaining after the allot
ment.
Twelve surveying parties are now
in the field surveying these reserva
tion lands. The allotments will bt
will be made some time during th'
ensuing year.
Then following the appraisment
then the opening OF the reservation
to homeseekers and prospectors. Th
date of the opening of course depend
upon the dispatch in completing tn
surveys, making the allotments am
and appraising the remaining land.