Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1924-06-12
MONEY PAID TO INDIANS

show for it.
MONEY PAID TO INDIANS
"The records also show that since
returned to this agency as superin-
tendent in january, 1920. / have paid
out to the Nez Perces the astounding
sum Of $2.180,79774. This is very
large sum of money. Besides this
you have received per capita pay,
ments of tribal funds amounting to
$126,000 to the 400 members of the
tribe. Then a. number of the Nez
Perces have had liberty bonds turned
over TO them And besides many of
l-those whe received fee patents sold
their land and received high prices
for it. Altogether the Nez Perces
have received and spent during the
past four years more than three mil
lion dollars. This is more money than
they ever had before and in all prob
ability it is more than they will ever
have again. Only the old people and
the minor children, as rule, now
have any bank accounts at this office.
The money is gone and the land is
gone, and hard times are here for
large number of the Nez Perces. /
am very sorry that this is so, but in
spite of all my efforts to get the Nez
Perces to save their money and go to
work many of them have persisted in
having their own way and have re-
fused to listen to my advice or to the
advice of the commissioner. Now they
must suffer the consequences.
MUST MEND THEIR WAYS
"Again l want to urge the Nez
Perces to stop and think and to
change their WAYS. We are facing
one of the hardest years that have
ever confronted Us. We are having
the hottest driest season on record
in the northwest. Crops in many
places are already burned up, so it
is not safe this year to depend en-
tirely on rentals for your support. I'm
less the white renter has a crop he
cannot pay his rent. Every able-bodied
Indian Should get busy at once and
make provision for next winter
Money will be scare and hard to get
Hay and feed of all kinds will be
scare and high. Taxes will continue
to be high and our only hope is
through industry and economy.
Il suggest that at your next chap
ter meetings you read this letter to
your people and urge upon them neces- |
sity of going to work at once and |
earn all they can during the Summer |
months and to lay in a supply of wood |
and also a supply of feed for their
stock next winter. Urge them to stay
at home and take care of their gar
~. ..l.s q,
their money.
YOUNG IDLE TIME AWAY
TOO many of our bodied
young people are spending their time
in idleness and depending on the oil
people for their support We are 60
ing to be more Strict than ever he
fore in giving out the money Of old
people and minor children. We must
protect these people as far as pcs
sible and we cannot permit The able
bodied to live in idleness at the OK
Dense of the few who still have bank
att the agency.
"These are important matters and
hope you will consider them very
| am sending copy of
his letter to the commissioner of In
4
lian affairs for his information.
I'm sure that it will meet his APPROX
II, and should he visit this resc;ra-
ion this summer he will give you
he same advice as / have given you.
The Indian office as well as my.eIf
expects the support AID cooperation
# the officers of the Honu and Farm
in carrying forward Jnr
Industrial program. As rheir friend
urge the Nez Perces to carefully
Onsider my advice and to immediate
Y begin to make preDl-.Iiol ar next
ginter. Those who do not 10 50 are
ure to experience hardship and
erhaps suffering, or else become
barge upon the 20 Inty. FOR fhr pO r
ouse is already starilg SDnIe If our
eople in the face. These are bad
ruths but they are gwen to you IN
II kindness and win he hope that
an may nrofif nv r,,fiacf:nU .I-.On