Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1916-02-04
SAYS GOVERNMENT NEGLIGENT
WITH KOOTENAI INDIANS HERE
Bartlett Sinclair Favors Congressman Smith
Plan to Move Indians to Colville Reservation
Lands Would Revert to Government

For some time past there has been
a proposition on foot to remove the
Kootenai Indians located at the Mis-
sion few miles below town to the
Colville reservation. This is a mat
ter of moment to the people of
Bonners Ferry and the Kootenai val
ley and should be gone into carefully.
The citizens and business men of this
district should make it a point to
Immediately present their views on
the matter. If the Indians are re-
moved the lands allotted to them will
revert back to the government and
will probably be sold to white settlers
at moderate prices. The matter of
securing the removal of the Kootenai
Indians has been taken up by Con-
gresham Smith. The following let
tiers will no doubt be of interest to
the readers of the Herald and ex-
plain the situation as it now stands
January 10, 1916.
Hon. Bartlett Sinclair,
Boomers Ferry, Idaho.
Dear Friend
When was in Boomers Ferry
last fall i was taken out to the
Indian mission by Mr.. Kent and was
very much distressed to observe the
poverty of the Indians and the lack
of attention, both educational and
medical, which is accorded to In
dams who are attached to some res
ervation.
| intend to make an effort to Sc
cure the enactment of law requir-
ing the moving of these Indians to
the Colville Agency and allotments
given them in lieu of the land they
now occupy, the proceeds of which
when sold to go to the individual
Indians, and | would like very much
to have any information you may be
able to give me in regard to the
matter, if in your Judgment this leg
islation would be wise.
l do not understand why these In
dams should have been located up
in that section separate and apart
from the other members of the tribe
on the Colville reservation. Their
condition would certainly be i'm
proved if they could be allotted lands
on the Colville reservation and given
the care to which they are entitled.
Sincerely yours,
ADDISON T. SMITH.
January goth, 1916.
Hon. Addison T. Smith,
Washington, d. C.
My Dear Sir:
Referring to your favor of the
18th concerning the Kootenai Indians
of this part of Idaho, permit me tc
say our people are gratified that you
manifest an interest in the condition
of these unfortunate tribesmen. II
is indeed surprising that so little has
been done in the past for these In.
dams by our benevolent government
a government that in the last decade
and half has dispersed many mil
lions for the benefit and uplift Of
other races dwelling thousands Of
miles from our shores. While oul
government has been busy remakinf
Cuba, the Philippine Islands and Pan
anna these, and dare say other, In
dams within our gates are almos
entirely neglected and have beer
neglected for more than a hundred
years. In the former case headwa,
has involved a mint of money an,
many lives. To have accomplishe,
necessary reforms in the case of ou
own Indian subjects neither grea
cost nor great trouble would hav
been entailed. / am glad, repeat
you intend to do something in tn
matter.
Our people, l think, are unani
nous in favor of the removal of tn
Kootenai Indians to the Colville res
ervation. This is the conclusion o
all men who view the proposal fror
the Indians standpoint. That tn
transfer Of the tribe would benefi
this portion Of the state is a mer
incident to which we close our eye.
am moved in the matter only b
considerations of mercy and advar
tage that would inevitably accru
to this benighted remnant of an ur
progressive tribe of Indians. Fo
their sakes they should be remove
to some point where, by means G
=. other associations and influence
schools and religious institution
their standards of life could be els
waited. The relations existing b,
tween the Indians and the whit
people surrounding them have a
ways been friendly and sympatheti
We do not want them removed b.