Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-06-26
HISTORICAL FLAT
HEAD RESERVE
Some History Of the Reservation
to Be Opened to Whites

| SPOKANE. Wash. June 2s.-Four
hundred and ffty thousand OF the i. :
10000 acres OF valley and bench
lands contained in the Fiathead Ind
ian reservation on the western slope
OF the Rocky mountains In northern
Montana will provide homes for TOO,-
600 persons following drawing under
the direction OF the United States
government at Occur d'Alene, Idaho,
beginning the morning OF July 0.
These lands have been classified a.
hrst and second class agricultural and
grazing, and are appraised at from
$1.25 to 81 an acre. Persons desir-
Ing to enter under the homestead act
must register in person at either Kali
ispeil, Mont. 26s miles east OF spok-
ane. or Missonla. Mont. 257 miles
from Spokane. between July rs and
August 5.
This reserve has within It's boun-
daries the south half OF Flathead
lake, the largest body OF fresh water
west Of Lake Michigan. The chief
fruit products are pears, peaches. APP
Piles. cherries, plums and berries. also
grain and forage crops In abundance.
Irrigation Is not necessary. The res
ervatIon Is crossed BY numerous
mountain streams and Is surrounded
BY belt or timber. which Is not sub
ject to entry. The Reclamation SER
vice Is preparing 4 system OF dams
and bitches. costing $3.50. 600. TO irri-
gate the lands In the northwestern
part OF the reserve. HOmesteaders
Will be required to pay the pro rata
share Of this improvement. also an
annual maintenance fee. The eleya-
tion is 1900 feet.
Kalispeli. a city OF 1000. is the
gateway OF the reservation. Three
boats ply daily between KaiIspeIl and
Poison, trading point at the south
end OF Flathead lake, and In the
heart OF the reservation. The Great
Northern. the only line in the valley.
Is building an extension from Kalis-
pell to the reservation. and the Chi
eago. Milwaukee a Puget Sound aud
the Canadian Pacific railways have
crews in the field seeking an entrance
into Kalispell.
The reservation was established al
treaty made by Isaac |. Stevens.
first territorial governor OF Washing
ton and ex-ofiieio superintendent OF
Indian affairs In the territory and the
chiefs and head men OF the Flathead.
Kootenay and Upper Pend d'oreIlle
tribes. In what was known as coun-
ell Grove, eight miles below Mis-
souia, now called Grass Valley. on Ju-
y II. 1855. II was ratified by the
United States senate on Morch s.
1853. Five persons who we're pres
ent at the treaty are Hazard Stevens.
son OF Governor Stevens. living At
Boston: W H. Tappan. resident Of
central Massachusetts,, ChaFl0ts. /
chief OF the Flathead tribe. and Fran
coils Eneas aud Louis Vanderberg
Eneas was assistant interpreter AZ
the council. The three Indians live
on the reservation.
Victor. who has long since Joined
his forebears In the happy hunting
ground. was chief Of the Indians at
the making Of the treaty. after
which the Flatheads. KoOtenays and
Upper Pend d'oreilles became known |
as the confederated Tribes OF the
Nation Of Indians. The Indians SUI
fered hardships and wrongs By reason
Of noncompliance Of the treaty slip |
ulations and bad faith Of the govern
ent. Though the treaty was made In
the summer Of 1855. the hrSt annui-
ties. consisting OF several hundred
boxes OF army hard tack and bags OF
rice. did not reach the tribe until
1850. more Of the supplies being sold
TO white settlers than were delivered
to the nations wards.
when the first treaty was made
the tribe. then living in the Bitter
Root valley. where its members we're
happy and eontented. we're not will
ing 10 move bag and tepee to the res
ervatIon. and 10 satisfy Chief Victor
a clause was inserted. - follows:
1T Is moreover provided that the
Bitter Root valley. above the Loo
10 fork shall be carefully surveyed
and examined and n Il shall prove.