The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-02-27
How COeur D'AIene Reservation
Will Be Opened to Settlers


Readers of The Gazette will remem-
Der that in it's issue of January IL an
editorial appeared entitled The Occur
d Alene Indian Reservation" 1t was
written in response to a statement go
ing the rounds of the press that the
government might adopt the bidding
that reservation. In the absence of
any definite knowledge this came as a
pang of surprise to all save a few, as
only men with large means could hope
to secure any of these lands. A quick
reply came from Congressman Jones
that he would call the attention of the
interior department to this matter, in
whose hands it is now entrusted, and,
if possible, find out the manner in
which the lands are to be disposed of.
A second letter was received from Mr..
Jones last Monday inclosing a letter
from the interior department giving
the desired information from which We
make liberal excerpts below. This is
are not mistaken The Gazette is the
first paper to be able to make the true
announcement known, for which it is
indebted to Congressman Jones. The
exact time of the opening of the res
ervation, of course, is not known, but
the procedure will be similar to that in
the case of the ShOshone, or Wind
River Indian reservation in Wyoming.
The land office at Occur d'Alene has
been flooded with inquiries, but so far
has not been able to make any definite
statement. The acting commissioner
writes this letter to the secretary OF
the interior:
Commissioners Letter.
This office is in receipt by depart
ment reference for consideration and
report, of a letter from Hon. w. L.
Jones, house of representatives, dated
January %, enclosing a clipping from
the Colfax Gazette of Colfax, Wash
ington, relative to the manner of
opening the Occur d'Alene Indian reser-
walton to settlement in which it is
stated that the government may adopt
the bidding process He requests in
formation with reference to the policy
of the department in regard to the
opening of this reservation and the dis
posal of the lands.
There is enclosed copy of an extract
from the Indian appropriation act of
June II, 1906, GA Stat. L., 1859, which
provides that upon completion of al
lOtments to the Indians of the above
named reservation. the residue of sur
plus lands. that is lands not allotted or
reserved for Indian school, agency or
other DurpOses-shall be classified un-
der the direction of the secretary OF
the interior as agricultural lands,
grazing lands, Or timber lands, ami
shall be appraised under, their appro-
pirate classes by legal subdivisions,
and upon completion of the Classifica-
ton and appraisement, such lands SHALL
be opened to settlement and entry I'M
laws at not less than their appraised
value by proclamatio of the president,
which proclamation shall prescribe the
manner in which these lands shall be
settled upon, occupied and entered by
persons entitled to make entry thereof.
1T is believed the disposal of the
lands under sealed bids or at public
auction would be contrary to the intent
of the act under which they are to be
thrown open to settlement and in the
opinion of the office the procedure to
be followed will be similar to that in
the case of the ShOshOne, Or Wind
River. reservation in Wyoming, as
shown in the enclosed copy of the pres
ervation. But this is a question that
properly falls within the jurisdiction
of the commissioner of the general
land office, by whom the proclamation
under which the lands will be opened
will be drafted"
Manner of Drawing.
A liberal extract is made from the
presidents proclamation opening the
ShOshOne reservation, which will be
sufficient to show the manner to be en-
ployed in opening the Occur d'Alene
reservation:
ITO obtain registration for the pur-
pose of making homestead entry of
any of said coded lands each applicant
will be required to show himself duly
qualified under the law to make such
entry, and this showing must be made
by the presentation of sworn appi-
cation for registration executed on a
blank furnished by the commissioner of