The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1906-10-18
AN INDIAN Reservation
Twice as Large as Rhode Island
Thrown Open to Settlers.
POSSIBLE GOLD FIELDS

Land is Extremely Naturalization
is to Be Carried On Extensively
Government Paid One Dollar an
Acre-At Present Occupied by the
ShOshOne Tribe.
The most picturesquely weird re-
xion ever opened for settlement In
this country is the Wind River Res
ervation in Wyoming-about two
thirds of the area hitherto so called
-au comprising just about million
and a half acres. All of it is desert,
yet with great possibilities of fruit
fulness, says the New York Press.
There is almost no rain, and yet
supply of water practically unlimited
is available. There is plenty of gold,
III spots, which has been newly dis
covered, and up in the northeast cor
ner of the tract is one of the rug
gedest and most remarkable canyons
in America-a chasm half mile in
depth cut through the mountains.
The reservation was occupied by
tribe of Indians called the Sho-
shones. There are 1850 OF them,
and they are entirely peaceful,
though in former days exceedingly
warlike. They are otherwise known
as the Snakes-a name not bestowed
upon them in description OF their
character, but because in the aborigi-
nal sign language they are indicated
bv a forward thrust of the wind with
a winding motion. In all probability
this referred originally to their
method or sewing their tepees; but
the meaning of the gesture above de-
scribed was naturally m1sconceived
by the whites.
1t is said that the Indians will re-
tain at least s1,5O0,000 for their
! lands, or about dollar an acre. They
will retain approximately one-th1rd
of the reservation, comprising all
that portion which lies to the south
west. This part is in area SOS,5OO
acres, os somewhat over 1850
/ square miles. Thus there will be 500
acres for every Indian man. woman
and child-leaving plenty Of room
| for them after the whites shall have
taken the $500 square miles opened
! for settlement.
The land is extremely rich and, of
course, virgin. Indeed, the desert
soils of the West are, as rule, far
superior to those of the humid region
| of the East All it needs is water,
and of this there is plenty at hand,
| when the necessary irrigating works
snail have been built. The govern
ment has already made a survey for
a thigh line canal, which can be
constructed at an expense sufficiently
! moderate to put it within reach of
corporation provided with reasonable
capital. Such digging as is required
would be easy, involving no extern
sive rock excavation.
This canal, when dug, will make
available for agriculture nearly one
| half of the total area of plains, and
will afford farming and grazing land
| for thousands of people. Other ca
nails are feasible at lower elevations.
Practically all of the eastern part of
the desert can be reclaimed, accord
| ing to the statement of the United
States Geological Survey.
The main source of water will be
| the Wind Rivera magnificent
mountain stream which pours down
out of the Wind River range. These
mountains are snowclad all the year
around, the fields of snow and exter.
sive glaciers with which they are
crowned stretching for many miles.
| The river runs at all seasons, and It's
flow can be increased If desired dur
ing the season Of growing crops by
storing it's waters In reservoirs on
the mountain slopes. Already there
are numerous lakes which hold great
volumes of water, and which serve as
| natural reservoirs.
| The area thrown open is on the
north of the Wind River and west of
the Big Horn. It's northeastern part
! is mountainous; the rest Is a cOun-
try of rolling plains, part grassy
prairie, part sandy, and part alluvial
| fats along the rivers. Along the foot
hills of the mountains are many fine
springs, suitable for local irrigation
and for the watering of cattle. These
places will necessarily be In great de-
mand. Extensive patches of grass are
scattered all over the plains, and
doubtless much of the desert will be
utilized foS grazing.
Through the northeastern part OF
the tract run the Owl Creek Noun
tains---a continuation of the Big
Horn Range, and the canyon Is a slit
cut through these mountains as with
a knife.
1t Is rather an interesting fact that
in this very neighborhood Is sup
posed to be located the famous Lost
Cabin mine. According to the story,
this was a deposit Of almost fabulous
riches, the existence of which was re-
ported by the sole survivor of party
of three men who worked 1t for a
while. Two of them died of starva-
ton, and the third, who was sent for
food, died on reaching a settlement,
living only long enough to describe
the mine as located close by log
cabin which he and his companions