The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1906-12-01
WHAT PAUfERIZES INDIANS
LAND SPECULATORS GROW RICH
ON THE NfHiTE EARTH
RESERVATION.
Get Farms ca Mortgages-Half-breeds
Released From Government Guar
dianshp an Easy PrU to schemers

CIdHSHlp an 6GSJ Efy ~
Citizenship a Curse to Them.
With the minds OF the 5000 Indians
on the White Earth Reservation, IN
Northern MiRneso ia. muddled by nq-
uor and their eyes daZZled by the
sight of money, the value of Whlcn
they do not appreciate, the Govern
ment allotments recently given to
them are rapidly passing into the
hands of the land spectators. II the
present campaign is maintained, the
reservation as a home for Indians
will soon be a thing of the past.
The Indians are full-fedged citizens
and can buy liquor easily. When
drunk they become easy victims OF
the INSCRIPTIONS land agents. De-
troit City, in Becker County, and Man.
hnomen, in Norman County. are the
scenes Of the bitter competitive war
for the Indians land.
Skin the Indian" is the motto IN
these towns, and the Indians, knowing
that they can no longer live the wild
life Of their forefathers, have decided
to become civilized" by drinking to
excess and squardering their money
en- trinkets which have no value save
as playthings for children.
The law making the half-breed 1ndl-
ans citizens and allowing them to sell
their allotments Of land went into
effect on June q last For the first
time in their lives the Indians can
live as they please, and the land spec
ulators, knowing that they were not
dealing with the Government, were
on the ground ready to open the cam
paign. Apparently nobody wanted to
buy Indian lands, but every one was
willing to loan little money on them
at a fair rate Of interest.
The mortgages are fastening the
downfall of the newly made citizens.
Ii suits the indian best, for he be-
lieves he will continue to hold his
land and the money indefinitely. OF
course the mortgage is the best thing
for the spectators, for they have i'll
it valid defense, with their ready
offer to return the money when it is
paid
On the day the law went into ef-
feet the mortgages began to show up.
The Indians wanted money quickly,
and they found no trouble in getting
it, Convinced that they were full
fedged business men. because they
were no longer under the eye OF the
they listened to the Of
fers Of money attentively. The land
spectators were wise enough to al
low the Indians to visit the saloons.
Then they talked business. If the In
dams had no ready money with which
to buy liquor, it came to them mys-
teriously. and was thankfully receiv-
ed. For several days it was hard to
find sober Indian. In the meantime
the mortgage business was progress
ing rapidly.
An average of eleven mortgages
has been filed every day with the Re-
corder of Deeds at Detroit City since
June p, and undoubtedly many 9th
ers have been signed and are in the
hands OF attorneys or Of the men who
loaned the money. Approximately ESQ
farms have been taken from the In
dians in this way Most of the mort
cages are for short terms, and the
lands will sooner Or later fall into
the hands Of the mortgages. The
Indians, knowing little or nothing OF
farming, are not cultivating their
and, and have no other source of
income. Each received from the Gov
eminent an allotment of eighty acres.
Only 1900 full-blooded Indians are
Under the control of the Indian agent,
Simon Michilet. The rest of the tribe
seem to be condemned to pauperism.
New York Times.