The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1906-09-01
Will HOLD COUNCIL
WITH RED LAKE BAND
Judge W. B. Matthews, Attorney for
the Chippewa Indians, Here
From Washington.
WILL PRESS SOME CLAIMS OF
LONG STANDING FOR THE REDS
Pays High Tribute to the Minnesota Del
egation, and Especially Congress-
man Steenerson.

Judge w. B. Matthews, a
prominent attorney of Washing
ton, D. c., and for years the as
sistant chief Of the pre-emption
division of the general land office,
was in Bemidji yesterday, en-
route to the Red Lake Indian
agency, where the big council
of the Red Lakers had been
called for tonight.
Judge Matthews has been in
the west since July 18th, looking
after interests Of the Leech Lake
Indians and his other clients.
He has visited tie various Indian
agencies in Minnesota and South
Dakota. He was at Onigum, the
Leech Lake Indian agency, the
day John Frater, the new Indian
agent, took charge of the agency
and held big council of the
Chlppewas at that place, Chief
Falmouth presiding. The Judge
says there is some bad feeling
among these Indians, due princl-
pally to the treaty Of .1847, by
which, for a few thousand
dollars paid by the government,
the Indians gave up title to lands
since disposed Of by the govern
ment for nearly 4 million dollars.
The inducements TO the Inaia
for making this treaty was that
the lands parted with should not
be disposed of by the govern
ment, but used as a barrier to
the Sioux, with whom they were
constantly at war or in trouble.
After acquiring title, the
United States disposed of this
great tract and it was opened to
settlement. ....
This claim has been pending
ever since 1847, and although the
interior department recognizes
that the Indians have an equit-
able claim for com pensation, yet
under the letter of the treaty
(which the Indians did not under
stand) they have no legal claim.
Judge Matthews asserts that the
government was guilty of what
he terms very sharp practice,
and there is no doubt whatever
of the justice of the claim, which
he intends to press.
When asked as to the relative
character and value of the Indian
lands on Leech Lake, White
Earth and Red Lake reservations,
the Judge stated that in his
opinion the lands on the White
Earth reserve were much super
ior, as they are for the most part
prairie lands, with a deep, black,
loan soil, some two feet deep,
with a clay sub-soil, from which
from one and a half to two tons
of hay can be cut annually. In
some places the grass is as high
as the back of the aveage COW.
There is scarcely any trees on
this land, except along the
streams. The Judge was sur
prised at the adaptibility Of this
land for all kinds of vegetables,
as we'll the remarkable quality,
and size produced to the acre.
This soil also yields a large crop
OF lax and wheat, and in time
large crops Of corn can also be
raised.
In speaking Of the recent legis-
lation by congress, by which
mixed bloods are enabled to sell
their lands, the Judge remarked
that Senator Clapp!s very large
~ entitled to the credit for this,
as he was able owing to his po-
sition as chairman Of the Indian
committee Of the senate, to &C.
complish what could not have
been accomplished if he had
been simply . member Of the
committee. 'sOf course" !" added
the Judge, Senator Nelson, your
congressman, Mr.. Steenerson,