Salt Lake Telegram | 1903-01-21 | Page 2 | Indians Ask Rosevelt about Leasing Lands

INDIANS ASK ROOSEVELT ABOUT LEASING LANDS and do not desire any encroachment on the reservation. Lately this has been threatened. Each year the herders of imtslde interests covet more and mote the pastures bf the tribe, and sbme of the Indians are therefore in favor of making an arrangement for leasing some 61 the lahds along the outer edge of the reservation.- ': . "One million Acres is held by th Blackfeet, and; they have always guarded guard-ed their Interests very jealously. They fear that If white men once get possession pos-session of part of their domain they will perhaps be crowded from it alto-1 gether. Opinion as to the best course to pursue is divided, and that Is the reason why the trip here was made." Whatever view is expressed by Mr. Grinnell win almost surjediy be accepted ac-cepted without question by President Roosevelt. v WASHINGTON", D, C. Jan. 2t A delegation ' of Blackfoot IndiahS of Montana, headed by G. B. Grinnell, balled upon the Presldeht to jdiscuss With him the proposition . to lease the grazing lands of their reservation to the white stock-ralserr of Montana. Of the fifteen members of the delegation a dozen are supposed to be living off the lands, as the better classes of the Indians are themselves cattle-raisers and have stock of their own on the ranges. The Indians alSb called upon the Secretary of the interior yesterday. Concerning these Interests Mr: Grinnell Grin-nell said: "Cattlemen of the WeBt have long desired to secure some of the rich lands of the Blackfoot reservation in northwestern Montana for1 their private herds. Up to this time the Indiahs have refused to consider any leasing propo-sltion. propo-sltion. They have 15.000 head of cattle