The Washington times., 1907-02-24
Senate Expected to Pass
Bill for Selling Farms in
South Dakota.
Million Acres Sold by Rose
bud Sioux to u. S.
Government.
The Tract Will Be Divided
Into $3.50 Fertile
Farms.

Before the end of the session the Sen
rate will doubtless pass a bin. already
passed by the House, for the opening
OF a million acres of the finest lands in
South Dakota, now held by the Rosebud
band of Sioux Indians. The opening
viii be made the occasion Of another of
Uncle Sans big land lotteries, I'm which
BIT is expected that not less than 10000
people Will take chances at the $3.50
valuable farms that Will go 10 the hold
ers Of the lucky numbers.
Sme2red all over the signature page
OF the treaty just received in Washing
ton, are the thumb-marlls Of the chiefs
of the Sioux: their signatures TO the
agreement negotiated by Major Nc
Laughlin. under which the Indians agree
10 sell their lands 10 the Government to
fpermit the opening. The lands are IN
5the large county of Trip, which is as
large as some States.
Land IS Valuable.
The county comprises the western
part Of the Rosebud Indian reservation
sand adjoins that portion opened 20 set
Element in 1901 and for which nearly
10000 people went 70 Yankton, Bone
tsteel or TO Chamberlain TO register The
high value Of the farms now occupied
ON the settled portion proves the worth
OF the land soon to be opened and the
rush for these fertile acres is bound to
bc precipitous. The railroads could
scarcely handle the crowds before.
BY kicking vigorously the Indians
have managed to make the Government
pay them a higher price for the land
than was stipulated in the original bills
introduced by Senator Gamble and Con-
gresham Burke, of South Dakota
treaty is signed now and there will be
no grmts of defiance and gutteraI. Me
no make that mark" from Poor Lo
His thumb mark is there and that set
Ties it,
The land 10 be thrown open for set
Element, il the amended Gamble and
Burke bills pass, as these statesmen say
is assured. are not of uniform value, but
nearly all worth having. Some IS now
worth $50 an acre. 1t IS expected the
opening, which will be by proclamation
of the President. Will be not later than
September of this year. Sections , and
Of the treaty Of interest 20 the pro-
sQectiye landseeker are as follows:
What 1t Will Cost.
Article Sit is agreed that the price Of
said lands as homestcads shall be as
A'AAb"4- 4 PUN al ANUS 0liAtltl or lllEA
upon within three months after the
same shall be opened to settlement and
entry. So per acre. And upon all land
entered or flied upon after the expira-
ton Of three months and within six
months after the same shall have been
opened to settlement and entry. $3.50
per acre After the expiration of six
months and within four years after the
shall have N
shall be $3.50 per acre. That the price
shall be paid according in accordance
with rules and regulations prescribed
by the Secretary Of the Interior upon
the following terms: One-hfth of the
purchase price 10 be paid in cash at the
time of entry and the balance in 1--WE
annual installments to be paid in one.
two, three, four, and five years, respec-
lively, from and after the date OF entry
That in case any entryman fails 10
make the annual payments. or any Of
them promptly when due, all rights to
the land covered by his or her entry
shall cease. And any payments thereto
fore made shall be forfeited and the
entry cancelled; and the land shall be
reoffcrcd for sale and entry under the
provisions Of the homestead law at the
same price that it was first entered
That the lands disposed Of under the
tOwnsite law shall be paid for at the
price provided by law That all lands
remaining undisposed OF at the expira-
tion of four years from the opening OF
the said lands TO entry may be. IN the
discretion Of the Secretary of the In
terror sold to the highest bidder for
cash without regard TO the above mini
mum price.
Establish Fund for Indians.
Article At is further agreed that the
amount to be derived from the sale of
said lands. as stipulated in article three
Of this agreement. the sum of 100000