The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-07-23
A MEASLY SHAME
a StrooT Vigorous Kick Must Be
flade Against the Rocky
Boys Settlement Here.


the Interior in Withdrawing from
settlement the greatest part OF the
unoccupied land Of Valley county
until steps can be taken to allot
the said land to members Of the
Rocky Boys band Of Chippewa In
dians, notice Of which was given
in last weeks Searchlight, has
aroused the indignation OF all the
settlers in Eastern Valley County.
A meeting Of the citizens was
held on Monday evening Of this
week and Paul Babcock w.
Mathews and c. S. Stafford we're
appointed by the chairman to draw
up q protest and send same to the
Secretary Of Interior as we'll as to
Senators Carter and Dixon and
Congressman Pray.
Il appears to the Searchlight
that Eastern Valley County is be-
ing made a dumping ground for
IEdians from all over the country.
In the first place we have our
own Indian problem in the Indians
that belong on the Fort Peek
Reservation, which will be opened
within the next three years. About
1000 Of these will be allotted land
which will be exempt from taxa
tion Tor as years.
Second the Turtle Mountain In
dians, which belong in North Da-
kota, were given scrip or allotment
certificates couple Of years ago
allowing them to take up land not
otherwise appropriated in any part
Of the United States. These In
dians were carefully steered onto
Valley County land and have taken
several hundred quarter sections in
Eastern Valley County. These
allotmenrs are also exempt from
taxation for IS years and cannot
be sold or transferred for that
length Of time.
Now comes this order frcm the
Secretary OF the Interior withdraw
ing practically all the unoccupied
land in this end Of the county for
allotments to the Rocky Boys band.
This il allowed to 60 through
will cause the settlement in our
midst Of the most undesirable
bunch OF Indians in the west. and
their land will also be exempt from
taxation for a long term OF years.
From all we can learn Of the
Rocky Boys band. they are a lot
Of vagabonds that belong to
Canada. They are the ones that
were reported as starving in the
western part Of the state last win
ter. and appealed for help.
The Searchlight is OF the opinion,
that if the Secretary Of the Interior
is given a clear understanding OF
The case that he will in all fairness
reeind the obnoxious order.
OF course the Rocky Boys band
will not be desirable settlers for
any community. and wherever they
are located there is sure to be a |
howl. but considerating the fact
of the Fort Peck Indians and the
Turtle Mountain Indians, which we
have as neighbors, and the
large amount Of property thus ex,
smpt from taxation in Valley
County. it would only be fair to |
nave the matter Of Allotting |
he Rocky Boys tribe land in this |
reconsidered.
The Searchlight would suggest
hat, besides the remonstrances
lIready sent 10 by United States
Commissioner and the committee
eferred to in this article, each |
:itizen interested send . personal
etter to the Secretary Of Interior
L Washington and to Senators
.alter and Dixon and Congress-
nan Pray, who are all in Wash.
ngton Al present.
All the u. S. Commissioners,
lotel men, merchants. farmers and
athens generally in Eastern Val