Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1917-02-02
LOCAL INDIAN AGENT CLAIMS
SAND IN NAvIGAblE STREAM

1AMU IN MhvIbh0lt 1lntAM
Local teamsters have been notified by
Mr.. Lane, Indian agent at Orofiro.
that the sand in the river belongs to
the Indians, and refuses to allow it
hauled unless they pay Is cents a
yard. The sand in question lies in
the river along the south side Of the
big eddy just above Orofino, where
the spring freshets bring down and
deposit thousands of yards of pure
white sand. This sand bar lies in
the river, and during high water, is
under water. 1t is renewed each
spring, SO there will always be an
inexhaustable supply of sand at this
point. 1t is recognized rule that
the bed of a stream is marked by the
high water banks, and this sand is en-
tirely within the bed of the Clear
water river. Therefore it is not any
part of the Indian allotment. and Mr..
Lane has no more right to charge for
this sand than he has to levy toll for
air farmer ght breath while
crossing Indian land, or to charge fo1
the water one might use in taking a
bath in the river.
Unfortunately it is necessary to
drive across strip of Indian land to
get the sand, and it is probably with
in the power of the Indian depart
ment to stop citizens crossing this
land to reach the river at the sand
bar. But it is. unreasonable, arbi.
trary and inexcusaole display of auth
ority to exercise this right.
Our citizens are willing to make
good any damage that might result
from travelling across the allotment
they are willing to submit to rea
sonable amount Of red tape, and tt
be bossed around by a government ap
pointee who thinks he owns the Unit
ed States and all that therein is, bu
some of our citizens object to paying
for sand that belongs to the public
The Republican has protested to tn
agent at Lapwai, but that worth.
gentleman has so far not seen fit t.
reply to courteous request relativ
to this matter. We now propose t
take the matter to the higher author
tiles at Wasting ton, and find GU
what, if any, rights white citizen
of the United States have, an
whether or not arbitrary orders i'm
posing unjust hardships on citizen
of Orofno are to stand.
Here are the facts in this case
Orofino recently let a contract fc
paving to the depot The contractc
contracted with local teamsters fl
the sand. and these men, one of the
Fred Lanphere of Orofino., last yea
at his own expen,e, made road dow
to the sand bar without any objectit
from Mr.. Lane, who now demand
tribute from Mr. Lanphere for Il
privilege of hauling sand, that b
longs to the public, over road M
i LdnpiltIe HIuiScll CoiloItuSeCu W 1
Mr.. Lanes knowledge and approx
and consent. Mr.. Lane even assist
Mr.. Lanphere short while duril
| the construction of this road,
Last fall Mr.. Lanphere hauled sa
from this bar to the state asylu
without any objection from Mr.. Ian
Mr.. Lanphere and other, when tn
took the contract for sand for the pa
ing, figured on getting it at this bs
When almost thru Mr.. Lane serv
notice that this sand bar, lying wit
in the river banks, belonged to
Indian department, and demanded
cents yard for the hundred and fiji
yards the men had hauled. TT
stopped the hauling, threw sever
local men with teams out of need
employment, and means seric
future loss to both laboring men a
business men, if the Indian Depa
ment at Washington, ID. c., upho
| the local agent and denies citize
the privilege of driving across
corner of the Indian allotment.
II 1t means the hereafter all So
needed in Orofino for paving. bui
ing, cement walks, ETC., must
shipped in; that our money must
to outside labor and for freight ratf
L 49,, lnooI MAR ord toopoo