The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1916-07-22
VOETSCH ADJUSTS
TAX TITLE MATTER.

10 90 In adjusting tax matters in dis
pute tou"hing lands in Baraga county,
has Strengthened out another matter,
as shown by the following copies of let
ters, which are no doubt of much inter-
est to the Chippewa band of Indians
and persons interested in the titles to
lands in Sections 16 within the L'Anse
and Vieux de Sert reservation.
BY having the descriptions mentioned
taken off the asses ment rolls the coun-
ty and townships will save great deal
of money because eventually the taxes
charged against the description will be
cancelled and charged back to the coun-
ty and townships with interest and
charges against those descriptions that
have been bid in at the tax sales.
The letters read as follows:
Lansing, Michigan,
June 26, 1916.
Mr.. Martin Voetsch, County Clerk,
L'Anse, Michigan.
My dear SIR
Replying to your letter of the 23rd
inst. There is conflict between the
United States and the State of Michi-
gan relative to the title to lands in Sec
ton 16, T. 81 N. r. 33 w. The State
claims that all of Section 16 was ceded
to the State by the Act Of Congress
which gave each Section numbered l6
to the State of Michigan as Primary
School land.
The Commissioner of the United
States General Land Office holds that
the only sections 16 that were not bur-
dened by the obligations of certain
treaties with the Indians were ceded to
the state, and has cited the case OF
Wisconsin VS.. Hitchcock, POI U. S..
202, as applying to the lands in Barags
county that were included in the L 'Anse
and Vieux de Sert Reservation.
The descriptions mentioned in your
letter of the 23rd were disposed of by
both the United States and the State
Of Michigan, as follows:
By the State of Michigan, as Prim-
ary School lands:
SET of NWt, to Simon Denomie.
Cash Feb. 2, 1887.
SW3 Of SWi. lin 81 of SWij to Ger.
hord Terhorst. Cash Aug. 9, 1887.
M of NWi, to Schuyler F. Seagar.
Cash Aug. /, 1883.
By the United States, as Indian al.
lotments:
SET of NWi. lin Ell of NWt) to Jul
ia Curtis July /, 1910.
SWt of SWA lin WI of SWi) t.
Philip Curtis July l. 1910.
Nj of NWt, Tin Ell of NWt) to julia
Curtis July /, 1910.
M of NWt. lin WI of NWt) to Ell
Curtis July l, 1910.
All in Sec! 16, T. 81 N. r. 33 w.
There has been considerable cores
pondence between the State Land Of
fee and the Commissioner Of the Gen
eral Land Office on this subject, and il
all of the letters from the General Lane
Office the Commissioner claims tn,
right to allot the lands to the Indianl
on the theory that the cession TO tn
State of Michigan Of each Sectiol
numbered 16 did not apply in this cas-
though the last letter received from
him. copy Of which I.enclose here
with, intimates that Congress shoult
take some action in the matter.
At the time our letter of April 7th
1911, was written, we did not under
stand that there were any restriction
on the land in Section 16, T. 81 N. R
33 w., but from the correspondence o
the Public Domain Commission ant
your letter Of the 23rd, in which 20,
quote the Commissioner Of Indian AT
fairs, it is evident that the description
mentioned in your letter are not ant
have not been subject to assessment
and will not be until such time as theI
are disposed Of by the Indian owner,
with the consent Of the President.
1t undoubtedly would be advisable t
cancel the unpaid taxes on these lands
and this will be done II the count,
treasurer will forward the information
you received from the Commissioner o,
Indian Affairs relative to the lands be
ing held by the United States and no
subject to assessment.
Some method, l think, should be pro
vided whereby the amount paid in tax
es on these lands should be refunded,
refund can be madel Of all taxes pait
either to the coypxy treasurer or Il
this Office.
Yours truly.
o. B. FULLER,
Auditor General