The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-06-13
PHELAN SHOWS UP
CO. OFFICIALS
WELL KNOWN RANcHER TAKES
POSITION THAT PROPERTY ON
INDIAN RESERVATIONS is NOT
SUBJECT TO TAX BY COUNTIES
OF STATE.

Forum: Our friend Plumley has
scarcely escaped being dragged away
from the twins and put in hoe when
you print some hot stuff from Schafer,
Mckenzie county. perpetrating criminal
| libel on q private citizen by the hot
| blooded and impetuous county attorney
| of Mckenzie county, who proposed to
! invade United States territory and do
violence to private property.
It is the first time l ever heard of
anyone starting out to steal cattle
with a brass band and publicity bu-
reau.
When the honest yeomen of McKen-
zie and adjoining counties descend on
the reservation and tear down fences
and steal government timber the only
recourse of the lessee is to call on
the Indian police for protection. When
! other property disappears or a valu-
able stallion is stolen, we have the
same recourse or none at all.
When the Mckenzie county officials,
preliminary to a political campaign,
start a raid on live stock, preceded by
a crusade of personal SANDER from a
point fifty to a hundred miles remote
from railroad, there is nothing to do
but stand for it, for being endowed
with law abiding instincts, would not
advise or sanction violence in defense.
Under laws and regulations govern
ing Indian reservations, parties outside
the service cannot enter or remain on
the reservation without permit from
the Indian department. Mckenzie
county officials have no more right
there than other trespassers.
Yet the sheriff was forced by his as
sociates to go there and leave a deputy
under the pretense of rounding up cat
tie for taxes personally assessed against
me when I never had any personal
property on the reservation except the
fences and improvements.
The bureau says Commissioners No
BILE and Gore were in attendance anx-
ious to bid in cattle. This places Noble
and Gore in the light of personally
specializing on other peoples property
to their individual profit with the
county standing all liability. They
know that restitution would have to
be made, and as the county could not
be held for the unlawful acts of it's
officers. personal liability would fol-
low. This must have dawned on Noble
and Gore, for they did not show up as
advertised.
Not since Indian reservations have
existed in North Dakota as United
States territory has there been any
pretense of jurisdiction over the af-
fairs of the federal government by
county officials until Mckenzie county
adopted that brand Of anarchy.
Up to few years ago nothing was
ever paid to the federal government for
the privilege OF ranging on such reser-
vations.
Three times within the past six years
three districts of the Berthold Indian
! reservation were offered for lease to
the highest bidder. There was no bid
on districts Nos. 2 and 8 at any time.
Twice district No. 1 failed to get bids
under the proposals.
Five years ago I successfully bid for
district No. at a price that expert
enced men said would break me finan-
cially.
have operated district No for five
years, paying to the federal govern
ment $47,278.60 in semi annual pay
ments in advance; besides that, at the
end of the five years fencing that cost
$4,000 reverted to the Indian depart
ment under the contract, making a
total of over $4,000, besides the an
nual cost of operating.
The so-called large herds of cattle
so loudly advertised have been mostly
shipped out. ~
Many of these same cattle when pur-
chased were taxed and taxes paid in
Montana and elsewhere; when they
passed over the Knife River ranch
they were again assessed by Mercer
county, and now both Dunn county and
Mckenzie county hold assessments
against me personally for the same
property when I did not own a hoof
Of it.
In all the time never received an
inquiry from an assessor as to assess
able property or the courtesy of let
ter from county official as to any,
body's rights in the premises.
Has anyone in North Daota paid
more literally in support of the gov
eminent and the Indians than indi-
Gated in the above figures?
How about the revenue to reimburse
Frankly, can say / do not know. I
AiS<NO OhlJ bdl ely OCCh EClLllDul SSl bO
far as expenses are concerned.
One deal only has been closed up,
that of 1000 Texas cattle taken over
from Easton & Shepard, which in four
years produced only $4,000 over and
above the original cost Of the cattle,
or barely 81 per head per year.
Is it any wonder that the Indian de-
partment fails to get bids for the
reservation.
The Indian department was puzzled
to understand why I would not bid for
renewal Of my lease on district No, 1,
/ preferred to sacrifice the $4,000
worth of fencing than to take any fur
Their risk even before Mckenzie county
began it's anarchistic attack.
| IL the officials of Mckenzie county
wish to serve the public lawfully, why
! do they not move to have that part
Of the reservation thrown open to set
Element, so the land will pass from the
federal government and come lawfully
under their jurisdiction. 1t can be
done
! If the officers there had less back
bone and more brains, they could be of
some material benefit to their country
| j. Il. Phelan.