Treaty of October 11, 1842

Treaty of October 11, 1842

The Treaty of October 11, 1842, involved the Confederated tribes of the Sac and Fox Indians ceding their lands west of the Mississippi River to the United States, while reserving a right to occupy these lands for three years. The treaty stipulated annual payments to the tribes and provisions for their relocation, including assistance during their move and the establishment of blacksmith and gunsmith shops. An agreement for necessary funds for the tribes’ welfare and charitable purposes was also included. The treaty required Senate ratification and consent from the tribes for any amendments.

Biography of Hon. James H. Koontz

James H. Koontz, born in 1830 in Belmont County, Ohio, learned carpentry and moved to Oregon in 1862. Arriving in Umatilla with only seventy-five cents, he established a successful forwarding and commission business, served as postmaster for seventeen years, and expanded with a store and hotel in Echo. Despite a devastating fire in 1886, Koontz continued to thrive, owning extensive land and planning to rebuild his mill. He was married twice and had three children, attributing much of his success to his second wife, Cynthia N. Hyatt.