Year: 1879

LAST Monday was a most eventful day on
the UmatillA The In1ians belonging to the
different tribes on the Umatilla reservation
met in council with the agent, Major Cor
mover. to learn what their chiefs had been do
ing in Washington, and to take measures for
snal settlement, either on their present reser-
walton or removal to one more distant 1t IS
well known that for many years past the
whites of this upper country have looked with
longing eve on the fertile lands embraced in
the "a miles square of the Umatilla reserve.
There is no better or more fertile land on the
continent than these now wild ranges Up to
Wild Horse creek, which is the boundary line
the fine fields of waving grain and other ad-
junc:s to civilization show up startling con-
trast to the


WILD, CNCULTIyATED,


Unfenced and unoccupied region claimed and
owned by the original inhabitants OF the coun-
try. The very contrast between the land
owned and cultivated by the whites and the
bare hills ON the Indian side is in itself sufh-
cient cause for the envy of an enterprisinS peo-
pie and no one can blame them The council
commenced by the enlistment of twenty scouts
from the different tribes by Lieutenant f. 5.
Farrow This was soon accomplished to the
satisfaction of all concerned. 1t is good
stroke of policy to enlist these Indians; they
will be useful in various ways, not only for
scouting in the mountains after marauderous
renegades. but viii keep sharp lookout
amongst their coateres in case they all conclude
to remain. This little affair consummated, Maj.
Cornoyer read the treaty recently made with
their chiefs this was interpreted by Mr.. Pam
brun to an Indian who in turn gave the proper
explanation to the assembled multitude. The
treaty gives each and every Indian the alter
native of either taking up land on their pres
ent reservation in severalty or being removed
to any other reserve they choose. Each Indian
of both sexes above the age Of Is years is enti-
tied to I6O acres of land in one body, and every
child under that age is allowed 40 acres. There
are some families who will be able to locate
960 acres; Who wouldn't be an Indian: &: How
lish Wampo (brave among the brave) then re-
lated his experience at Washington, and said
as did his confrcre, Young Chief, that they had
not bound themselves to the secretary of the
interior BY anything, and they told him they
would not until they had consulted with Their
people. This was Immediately contradicted
by Chief HOmely, who spoke in most sensl-
bic manner; he told the Indians that no man
must use his influence; in any way to induce
Others Each one was to use his OF her own
Judgment and think and act for himself. Mai
Cornoyer then spoke, and advised the Indians
to remain and take up land he assured them
they should receive every and all protection
for twenty five years. and the meanest white
man on the reservation should not insult them
with impunity, but they must go to work and
do the best they could on their farms they
We're to be subject to the laws of Oregon and
be exempt from all taxation for p years. He
further told them that their chiefs had acted
for the best interests of the whole, and although
much more was asked for than could be grant
ed good reasons were always given for refusal.
Other indians then spoke and conveyed the
idea that they were afraid to enter into com
petition with the whites; they said they could
not make grain and gardens grow like white
man could, and spoke i'll 4 general way as If
afraid things would not turn out well For them.
They hardly seemed to comprt hcnd the


SITUATION PROPERLY.


Knowing many Of these Indians we then spoke
a few words, telling t lem through the inter
prefer to go ahead and do all they coud until
they learned by experienc. to do better. We
also assured them that the press OF the whole
country would see that they were not abused
or insulted in any way by tie whites So long
as they showed disposition to remain AMI
work. These Indians understand thoroughly
that the whites are generally We'll disposed to-
ward them aad that they will be given every
opportunity to live in peace and prosper under
the new auspices. The council adjourned until
next day, when Major Cornoyer re-oDened tbs;
proceedings by advising the indians tn he can
tious and not to he in too great a harry The
chiefs asked for four days in which to consider
the subject before giving an answer. Prot
Powell, State Superintendent Of Public In
struction made few well chosen remarks AMI
gave the Indians some wholesome advice in re-
gard to education and work, which was re-
Piled to by Howlish Wampo, acknowledging
the benefits of both, AMI showing up the exam
pie of some of the industrious Indians, ending
with an appeal to his people to follow their ex-
ample. Other Indians followed and spoke of
the status of both races, saving IN substance
that it was not always the Indians who were
in the wrong; that in their treaty with Gen
Palmer many things were promised them which
they never received also that there We're \
class of whites who We're continually tantal-
izins them they declared their intention Of
remaining and cultivating the land allowed
them The council then adjourned until TO
day Saturday when they will decide whether
they are to remain and settle or 10 on some
,ther reservation