Chapter LX: Appendix: To Chapter Eight

OFFICE SUPT. INDIAN AFFAIRS, SALEM, OREGON, May 23, 1870.

SIR:——Having just returned from an official visit to Grand Ronde
Reservation, I desire to call attention to a few items that are
of importance:——

_First._ The Indians have an unusual crop in prospect.

_Second._ They fully realize the advantages to result from
having lands allotted in severalty, and therefrom arise
questions which I propose to submit. (See paper marked “A.”)

_Third._ The mills built fifteen years since are totally unfit
for service, for the reason that they were not located with good
judgment, in this that they were built on a low, flat, muddy
piece of river bottom, composed of alluvial deposit that washes
away almost like sand or snow, having neither “bed rock nor hard
pan” for foundation, constantly settling out of shape and
damaging machinery, besides being threatened with destruction at
every overflow.

The lower frames of both mills, but more especially that of the
saw-mill, are so rotten that they would not stand alone if the
props and refuse slates from the saw were removed.

The flour mill is a huge, unfinished structure, supported on
wooden blocks or stilts, and double the proper dimension, with
an old patched-up wooden water-wheel that has been a constant
bill of expense for ten years; machinery all worn out, even the
bolting apparatus rat-eaten and worthless, but with one 42-inch
French Burr, that, together with mandril, are as good as new.

The saw-mill is the old-fashioned “Single Sash” with flutter
wheel, only capable, when in best repair, of making 600 to 1,000
feet of lumber per day; but utterly worthless at present for
several reasons, the chief of which is want of _water_. The
“dam” was originally built about one-quarter of a mile above the
mills, at an enormous expense to Government, across a stream
(that is four times as large as need be for such mill
purposes), with soft, flat alluvial porous banks and mud bottom.

The history of said dam is, that it has broken _twenty times_ in
fourteen years, each time carrying away _mud_ enough at the ends
of the dam to make room for each successive freshet.

I _believe that history_, since inspecting the “works,” as
evidence is in sight to show where thousands of days’ work have
been done, and many greenbacks “sunk.”

I called to my assistance Agent Lafollette and George
Tillottson, of Dallas, Polk County, a man acknowledged to be the
most successful and practical mill-builder in our State, who
stands unimpeached as a gentleman of honesty and candor. The
result of the conference was, that it would require $5,000 to
build a dam that would be permanent; that all the lower
frame-work of both mills would require rebuilding at a cost of
$2,000, and that at least $1,000 would be required to put
machinery in good working condition; and, when all was done,
these people would have only tolerable good old mills, patched
up at a cost of $8,000.

But mills are indispensable civilizers, and _must_ be built. I
am determined to start these Indians off on the new track in
good shape.

There are three several branches coming in above the old mills,
any one of which has abundant motive power. On one of these
creeks a fall of thirty feet can be obtained by cutting a race
at the bend of a rocky cascade, taking the water away from the
danger of freshets, and building the mills on good, solid
foundations, convenient of access by farmers and to unlimited
forests of timber.

Mr. Tillottson estimates the total cost of removing the old
mills and such parts as are useful, and rebuilding on the new
site a first-rate No. 1 double circular saw-mill, with Laffelle
turbine water-wheel, all the modern improvements attached; same
kind of water-wheel for flour-mill, with new bolting apparatus,
etc., at about $4,000, exclusive of Indian labor.

I submitted, in full council, to the agent and Indians, the
proposition to apply funds already appropriated for the repair
of agency buildings, a portion of the Umpqua and Calapooia
School Fund, that has accumulated to upwards of $5,000, and so
much of Annuity Fund as may be necessary to this enterprise, on
the condition that the Indians were to do all but the
“mechanical work.”

The matter was fully explained, and, without a dissenting voice,
they voted to have the mills, if furnished tools, beef and
flour.

The agent has now on hand a considerable amount of flour. For
beef, I propose to use a number of the old, worn-out oxen, as
they are now fifteen or twenty years old, worthless for work and
dying off with old age.

To sum up, I have put this enterprise in motion, and propose to
have the new saw-mill making lumber in sixty days, and the
flour-mill grinding in ninety days.

I now ask permission to apply the funds I have named to this
object, fully satisfied in my own mind that it is for the
benefit of these people. If it cannot be granted, then I will
insist on funds, that may be so applied, being furnished from
the general funds of the department. These Indians _must_ have a
mill; besides, it would reflect on the present administration of
Indian affairs, to turn them over to the world without that
indispensable appurtenance of civilization.

Klamath Mill is a monument of pride, and has done much to redeem
the reputation of our department; and I propose, when I retire,
to leave every reservation supplied with substantial
improvements of like character. Klamath flour-mill is now under
way, and will grind the growing crops.

Going out of the ordinary groove, and wishing you to be fully
posted about such transactions, is my apology for inflicting
this long communication.

Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
A. B. MEACHAM,
_Supt. Indian Affairs in Oregon_.

HON. E. D. PARKER,
_Commissioner, etc., Washington, D. C._

* * * * *

“A.”

I respectfully ask for instruction in regard to Indian lands;
and as the time for allotment is near at hand, it is necessary
that some points be settled, for instance:——

_First._ Where there is more land suitable for settlement on a
reservation than is required to fulfil treaty stipulations,
shall more than the said stipulated number of acres be set apart
to the individual Indian?

Some of the reservations will have an excess, and others will
fall short of the amount required to comply with treaty
stipulations. In some instances, where the excess is small, it
would seem proper to divide _pro rata_. It does not appear that
any of these tribes are on the _increase_; hence no necessity
exists for lands to be held in reserve to any considerable
amount for future allotment. When possible, I would favor giving
them more than the treaty calls for.

_Second._ When less land than is necessary to comply with treaty
is found, must the number of acres be cut down so that a
proportionate allotment can be made? Or may unoccupied
government lands outside be allotted to Indians belonging to the
reservation?

Instances will occur of this kind, as at Warm Springs, where
insufficient lands can be found, and a few families who are well
advanced and capable of taking care of themselves could be
located outside. I am in favor of that plan, and suggest, if
approved, some instructions be given the land officers, so that
said location can be legally made.

_Third._ May Indians not on reservation be allotted lands on
reservation, and may they be allotted government lands not on
reservation?

There are Indians in this State, that have never yet been
brought in, that can be induced to locate under the system of
allotment. And when all parties consent, they should be allowed
to do so. Again, some of these people have advanced
sufficiently, by being among white persons, to locate and
appreciate a home. And there are a few instances where the
whites would not object to their being located among them.

They _must have homes_ allotted them somewhere, and the sooner
it is done the better for the Indians.

_Fourth._ Are not Indians who have never been on reservation,
citizens, under late amendments to the constitution; and have
they not the right, without further legislation, to locate
lands, and do all other acts that other citizens may rightfully
do?

I am fully aware of the political magnitude of this question;
but while I am “superintendent” for the Indians in Oregon, they
shall have all their rights if in my power to secure them,
whether on or off reservations.

_Fifth._ Are white men or half-breeds, who are husbands of
Indian women, who do now belong, or have belonged, to any
reservation, considered as Indians, by virtue of their marriage
to said Indian women in making the allotment of lands?

I understand that all half-breed men living with Indians on
reservations are considered Indians (but always allowed,
nevertheless, to vote at all _white men’s elections_). But there
are several Indian women, in various parts of the country, who
are married to white and half-breed men, and the question is
asked, whether they are not entitled to land.

Again, there are Indian women living with white men, but not
married, who have children that should have some provision made
for them.

_Sixth._ May the allotment be made immediately on completion of
survey, without waiting for survey to be approved?

For many reasons it is desirable that the allotment be made as
early as possible, so that the people may prepare for winter.
They are very impatient, and I hope no unnecessary delay will be
made.

_Seventh._ Is a record to be made by and in local land office of
surveys and several allotments? Is record of allotment to be
made in county records, and if so, how is the expense to be met?

These people are soon to be as other citizens, and stand on
equal footing. I have no doubt about the propriety and necessity
for making these records, but so as to close up all the gaps, I
want to be instructed to have it done.

A. B. MEACHAM,
_Superintendent Indian Affairs in Oregon_.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS,
WASHINGTON, D. C., June 28, 1871.

SIR:——I have received your communication of the 23d ultimo,
asking, among other things, instructions concerning certain
questions which present themselves for settlement in the
allotment of lands in severalty to Indians upon reservations in
the State of Oregon.

In reply to the first inquiry therein propounded, you are
informed that, where there is more land suitable for settlement
on a reservation than is required to fulfil treaty stipulations,
more than the number of acres named in said treaty cannot be set
apart to each individual Indian, but the excess must be held in
common for the benefit of the whole tribe or band occupying the
reservation.

Secondly. Where less land is found upon a reservation than is
necessary to give to each individual or family the full quantity
specified in the treaty, the number of acres so allotted may be
reduced so as to give each person or family a proportionate
share of the entire quantity available for purposes of
allotment; but unoccupied government lands lying outside of the
boundaries of the reservation cannot be used to complete the
quantity required to fulfil the treaty stipulation.

Thirdly. Indians not residing on a reservation cannot receive
allotments of lands thereon, neither will unoccupied public
lands be allotted to them.

Fourthly. Indians residing on a reservation, and living in a
tribal capacity, do not become citizens of the United States by
virtue of any of the recent amendments to the constitution of
the United States. Their political status is in no wise affected
by such amendments.

Fifthly. In case where white men or half-breeds have married
Indian women, and said white men or half-breeds have been
adopted into and are considered members of the tribe, and are
living with their families on the tribal reservation, allotments
may be made to them in the same manner as if they were native
Indians.

In cases where Indian women are married to white or other men,
and do not now live on or remove to a tribal reservation
previous to the time of making the allotments, they will not be
entitled to receive land in severalty.

The children of Indian women living with but not married to
white men will not be allowed selections of land unless they
shall take up their residence with the tribe upon the
reservation.

Sixthly. The allotments must not be made until subdivisional
surveys are completed and approved by the proper authority.

Seventhly. No record is necessary to be made in the local land
office, or the county records of the county or counties wherein
the several reservations are situated of the survey or
allotment thereof.

Your suggestions regarding the erection and repair of mills and
mill-dams, etc., and the application of funds therefor, will be
made the subject of a future communication.

Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
E. S. PARKER,
_Commissioner_.

A. B. MEACHAM, ESQ.,
_Supt. Indian Affairs, Salem, Oregon_.

* * * * *

OFFICE SUPT. INDIAN AFFAIRS, SALEM, OREGON, May 30, 1870.

CHAS. LAFOLLETTE, _Agent Grand Ronde_:——

SIR,——Mr. Tillottson reported to this office on yesterday. We
have decided to proceed with the saw-mill as soon as you can
have Indian laborers to assist. It is desirable that we push
this enterprise, and, in order to do so, it would seem necessary
for you to “_call in_” enough to make a gang of say twenty
workingmen; and as soon as this is done notify Mr. Tillottson at
Dallas. I have ordered all the tools required to be forwarded to
you at Dayton; and have no doubt they will be awaiting your
orders. I think you can send immediately without fear of
disappointment. In the mean time you will arrange _subsistence_
for the Indian with my parties. It would be well also to assist
Mr. Tillottson about a boarding-place. My arrangement is, that
“the mechanics are to board themselves” with him; he to have the
entire control of the works, we to furnish the laborers. When he
is dissatisfied with the services, to certify to the time
through your office, and forward to me for payment. I think it
best not to transfer funds until an answer is obtained from the
commissioner in regard to diverting the funds. We cannot expend
or anticipate a fund not yet remitted, as I find a rule laid
down to that effect. If we meet with a favorable reply we will
then proceed with the flouring-mill. You may find employment,
while waiting for tools for Mr. Reinhart, at such wages as you
may agree upon. Hoping you will give this enterprise sufficient
attention to secure success, etc.,

I am respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
A. B. MEACHAM,
_Supt. Indian Affairs, Oregon_.

* * * * *

OFFICE SUPT. INDIAN AFFAIRS, SALEM, OREGON, Dec. 19, 1874.

L. S. DYER, ESQ., _Commissary in charge Grand Ronde_:——

SIR,——Col. Thompson, surveyor, has been employed by me to assist
you in making the allotment of lands on Grand Ronde.

Herewith find the only instructions furnished this office,
which, together with the copies of treaties in your office, it
is hoped may be sufficient guide in making the allotment.

As arranged during my late visit, all matters of dispute about
priority of rights, etc., must be settled by a Board, consisting
of Commissary L. S. Dyer, Col. D. P. Thompson and W. P. Eaton,
or any other you may designate; if Mr. Eaton is unable to act;
and, on request of the Indians, you will add to said Board three
Indians, who are not _interested_ parties in any matter under
consideration by your Board.

Great patience may be required in settling the differences that
will arise, and I trust that you will, at all times, bear in
mind that you are laboring for a race who are docile and
reasonable when they are made fully to understand the wherefore,
etc., of any proposition.

I regret that the Commissioner of Indian Affairs has not
furnished this office with more specific instructions in the
premises.

This order to make allotment is in anticipation of orders from
the commissioner, which, I have no doubt, will be forwarded at
an early day. At all events, the necessity of immediate action
is obvious.

July 20th, Wm. R. Dunbar was instructed to enroll all the
Indians of Grand Ronde Agency, including those of Nestucker and
Tillamook. Mr. Dunbar reported the enrolment complete, a copy
of which you will find in your office.

It is possible that some changes have occurred in the
arrangement of families, of which you will take note, and
correct the same in making statement of allotment.

You will also be particular to see that the original and present
name and tribe, together with sex, estimated age, and
relationship to families with whom they are residing at the time
of allotment, be identified with the number of the particular
tract allotted to such person or family.

In this connection it is necessary, in cases of plurality of
wives, that each man shall designate one woman to be his legal
wife, and all others to be members of his family, with the
privilege of forming other marriage relations, taking with them
the lands allotted in their respective names.

Orphan children, who are _attached_ to families, must have the
same rights.

It would seem proper that, so far as possible, these people
should be allowed to retain their present homes, and to adjust
their respective rights among themselves; but it will be
necessary, in some cases, to assume control and adjudicate
differences.

Inasmuch as there are several treaties in force with the Grand
Ronde Indians, in the complications arising therefrom I would
advise that the treaty with Willamette Valley Indians be adopted
as the guide, without regard to the other treaties.

Let the allotment be uniform to all persons entitled to lands,
as per instructions of commissioner in reply to queries, and
above referred to.

Should any number of your people elect to remove to Nestucker,
and there take lands in severalty, it would seem right, perhaps,
to do so. Land will be ordered, surveyed at the places above
referred to, and possibly also at Salmon river.

I do not know of any other instructions or laws to guide you,
except this: In absence of law, do justice fairly and
impartially. Law is supposed to be in harmony with justice and
common sense; and, if it is not, it is _not good law_.

Fully realizing the difficulties in your way in fulfilling this
order, and having confidence in your integrity and ability, I
can only say, in conclusion, push this matter through, and
furnish this office, at an early day, full report of your
doings, together with statistical table of allotments made under
the rules and instructions furnished you.

It may be observed, by reading the several treaties, that the
amount of land stipulated to be allotted differs somewhat in the
amounts specified.

From surveyors’ reports, it appears that there is some
deficiency of lands suitable for Indian settlement, and since
the several tribes are mixed up, and to avoid confusion, I have
indicated the treaty with the Indians of the Willamette Valley
as the proper one to govern your action.

Now, if the question should be raised by the Umpquas, and they
refuse to accept the amount named in the treaty referred to
(Willamette Valley), you will propose to the Umpquas to have the
excess claimed by them set off to them of timber lots; or
otherwise let the whole matter stand for further instructions.
Should the question come up at an early day please notify me,
and, if possible, I will in person adjust the matter.

I think, however, that if you make the proposition to the
Indians to settle it _before_ allotment, they will agree to the
Willamette treaty, and I will arrange for the acknowledgment, on
their part, of the fulfilment of treaty on the part of the
Government hereafter.

Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
A. B. MEACHAM,
_Superintendent Indian Affairs in Oregon_.

ANNOUNCEMENT.

The undersigned, to whom alone Mr. Meacham has been pleased to give space for an advertisement in “The Wigwam and Warpath,” will soon publish a work, whose title will be: “THE CONDITIONS OF SUCCESS, IN ITS RELATION TO THE DAY LABORER, THE BUSINESS MAN, THE PROFESSIONAL MAN AND THE SCHOLAR.”

The work is designed to furnish a key to success, not alone or chiefly in the art or means of acquiring wealth, but success in a higher and nobler sense, indicating some of the best methods of reaching the intellect and the heart, as well as the purse.

The work is mainly a result of the author’s own experiences and struggles——an outgrowth of the practical methods by which he has secured, at least, many of the objects not altogether unworthy of his ambition and hopes.

The unfolding of the grand principles or laws of _Compensation_, even in every-day life, to which the author devotes some space, will, it is believed, have a tendency to increase the faith, or, at least, quiet the fears, of those who are often crushed by what appears to them the heavy strokes of Providence, or the inevitable fiat of Destiny; but, rightly understood, proves to be the true Magician of Life, which evokes light from shadows, and a calm from storms.

D. L. EMERSON.

BOSTON, July, 1875.

* * * * *

Transcriber's note:

Blank pages have been deleted. Illustrations may have been moved.

Footnotes now follow the referencing paragraph.

Paragraph formatting has been made consistent.

The publisher's inadvertent omissions of important punctuation have been corrected except for one unmatched quotation mark.

The following list indicates any additional changes made. The page number represents that of the original publication and applies in this etext except for footnotes and illustrations since they may have been moved. {from}[to]:

Page Change

v THE {BIRTH-PLACE}[BIRTHPLACE] OF INDIAN LEGENDS
xiv the Modocs——Why {Modocas}[Modocs] Rebelled——
xv BURYING THE HATCHET——A {TURNING POINT}[TURNING-POINT].
xxii LAST {HIDING PLACE}[HIDING-PLACE]——HANGING-MACHINE UNTRIED
13 tripped the light fantastic {moccason}[moccasin] trimmed with
37 “No,” says Flip., that {wont}[won’t] do.”
38 a scene occurred that {Bierdstadt}[Bierstadt] should have had
53 very {nutricious}[nutritious] and well adapted to grazing.
62 begun on the bosom of {Ya Quina}[Ya-quina] Bay.
88 {with, I doubt, not good intentions}
[with, I doubt not, good intentions].
100 your {doomed}[doom] is sealed.”
121 the whites outside of the Reservation.{"}[]
123 lumber belonging to {he}[the] Indians
123 the {allottment}[allotment] of land to these people.
129 than any on Siletz. {}["]She is stout; she can work;
130 min-a-lous.{}["] {}[("]If I don’t go, I will die."{}[)]
181 against the sale of their lands.{}[[4]]
184 and {belives}[believes] in woman’s rights.
198 remarking dryly, {}["]Me-si-ka wake cum-tux ic-ta mamook
202 differing from {ladies}[ladies’] riding-whips
210 {etsablished}[established] as “Indian fighters.”
212 {General Cook}[General Crook] being the _right man in
212 the theology of Gen. {Cook}[Crook],
220 sometimes crossing deep, dark {canons}[cañons],
222 we encamped near {Canon}[Cañon] City,
240 in charge consulted {O-che-o-and}[O-che-o and] Choe-tort.
249 and had been {diposed}[disposed] of by the agent,
255 that he, Parker, was of {}["]_their own race_.”
296 in the heart of the boy, {Kien-te-poos}[Ki-en-te-poos]
312 burning with hatred, was on {on }[]every countenance.
313 and did not ask my own boys when to talk.{"}[] When
316 Tobey, as {intepreter}[interpreter].
382 There {wont}[won’t] be a grease-spot left of ’em.”
384 but with what {unaminity}[unanimity] our press repelled
400 the {bankets}[blankets] are rolled together;
400 jump out from under _their_ {bankets}[blankets],
433 the commission {}[decided,] _three to one_,
437 Indians {visted}[visited] the new camp
471 stretchers; all cut to pieces_.{"}[] I tell you,
508 mechanics are {econonizing}[economizing] the rough boards,
510 No sleep comes to this camp {to night}[to-night].
531 {street-lamps}[street-lamp] before Judge Roseborough’s door throws
558 to put to sea in a {white hall}[whitehall] boat
562 and was {endeaving}[endeavoring] to be a man.
567 Col. Wright of {Twelth}[Twelfth] Infantry,
576 night. {One}[On] the morning of the 10th
582 the closing {movments}[movements] of the campaign
612 and Judge {Roseborourgh}[Roseborough],
680 rings along the {frontierline}[frontier-line],