The daily star-mirror., 1923-06-21
INDIANS START
SUIT AGAINST US.


LewistOn.-The initial step in the
legal battle against the United States
by the Nez Perce, Blackfeet, Flat
head, Kootenai and Grosventres tribes
of Indians was taken in the district
court in this city yesterday afternoon
at 12:45 o'clock, when the duly elect
cd representatives of the Nez Perces
affixed their signatures to the con-
tract with Washington, D. c., law
firm, who will handle the Indians
case before the court of claims, and
in the United State supreme court,
ii necessary, and the third represen-
tative placed his right hand thumb
on an ink pad, and then made the
impression of the ink on the contract.
The government required that the
signatures to the contract ue done in
court of record.
The scene was an impressive one,
and was witnessed by but few people.
The Indians, accompanied by Supt.
o. H. Lipps, were in court early.
After Judge Scales had finished what
business he had before him he re-
Quested the tribesmen to place their
business before him. The court care
fully read the contract and asked the
tribal representatives to sign it. Cor
bett Lawyer was the first to affix
his name, then Joe Black Eagle
signed, and thirdly Geo. Peo-peo-tah-
likt made his mark. Judge Scales
then signed the document and J.
Howard Howe, deputy clerk OF the
district court, affixed his signature
and the seal of the court. t. j.
Campbell was witness to the sigma
lures.
The Indians stood in line while the
court was perusing the terms Of the
contract Peo-peo-tah-Hkt, one of the
very few blanket Indians encountered
nowadays, stood with his gaily dec
GRATED hat in hand and necessary
questions were put to him by Corbett
Lawyer as interpreter.
The case instituted against the gov
ernment is for the fulfil1ment Of the
terms of a treaty made with the In
dams in October, 1855, by which a
vast tract of land in Montana was
granted the Indians for term of 99l
years, this being designated for use
by them as buffalo grounds. The terms
of the treaty have been broken, the
Indians claim, and now instead of a
region where buffalo abound there
are many important cities standing,
including Helena, the state capital. |
The Washington law firm are TAX
Ing the case of the Indians without
a cent of cost in case they are un-
successful in winning, and should the
contest be decided in favor of the
red men the attorneys will receive
but 10 per cent of the money paid,
and in no event more than fee of |
5000 Some years ago the Chero-
kee Indians of Oklahoma brought a
similar action before the court OF
claims and secured millions of dol
lars in payment for lands given them
treaty, and then taken FROM
them. In this instance the attorneys
handling the case were paid fee of
$3.50, 900 The Colville Indians also
won in their fight with the govern
ment over treaty lands, being reim
bursed to the extent of about $6,000,-
900.
The amount at stake in the present
litigation is not known, but one in
close touch with the situation stated
that should the Indians come out
victorious in their suit from $6,000,
600 to S1O,00O,O06 will be paid them.
If the Indians are found to be en-
titled to reimbursement the money so
received will be prorated among the
men, women and children of the five
tribes.