Flathead

Spokane Story

Spokane Story

“Spokane Story: A Colorful Early History of the Capital City of the Inland Empire” by Lucile Foster Fargo offers readers an evocative journey through the formative years of Spokane, Washington. Published in 1957 by Northwestern Press in Minneapolis, this work seeks to straddle the realms of history and storytelling, presenting a narrative that is neither entirely factual history nor pure fiction. Fargo accepts the challenging task of depicting Spokane’s cultural and developmental evolution from its fur trade beginnings to its emergence as a municipal entity in the early twentieth century.

The Tribes West of the Mississippi – Indian Wars

By treaties concluded by the agents of the United State government at different periods, nearly all of the Indian tribes have been induced to remove west of the Mississippi. Those who remain in the haunts of their fathers are chiefly converts to Christianity, and in a half civilized state. Many of the tribes have dwindled into insignificance, yet the few who remain are proud to maintain their distinctive appellation, and support the independence of their old clan. The most powerful and numerous tribes in the northwest are the Sioux, or Dacotahs, the Blackfeet, Crows, and Pawnees. A few of the … Read more

Indians of the Great Western Prairies

Crow Indian

Upon the Yellowstone, and about the headwaters of the Missouri, the most noted tribes are the Crows and Blackfeet. Bordering upon them at the north and northeast are their enemies, the Ojibbeways, Knisteneaux, and Assinaboins, of some of whom brief mention has been made in former chapters. In 1834 the Blackfeet were computed to number over thirty thousand, but when the small-pox swept over the western country, in 1838, they were frightfully reduced. By the returns of 1850, they were represented as amounting to about thirteen thousand. As these Indians are among the farthest removed from the contaminating influence of … Read more

Treaty of October 17, 1855

Articles of agreement and convention made and concluded at the council-ground on the Upper Missouri, near the mouth of the Judith River, in the Territory of Nebraska, this seventeenth day of October, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, by and between A. Cumming and Isaac I. Stevens, commissioners duly appointed and authorized, on the part of the United States, and the undersigned chiefs, headmen, and delegates of the following nations and tribes of Indians, who occupy, for the purposes of hunting, the territory on the Upper Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers, and who have permanent homes as follows: … Read more

Treaty of July 16, 1855

Articles of agreement and convention made and concluded at the treaty-ground at Hell Gate, in the Bitter Root Valley, this sixteenth day of July, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, by and between Isaac I. Stevens, governor and superintendent of Indian affairs for the Territory of Washington, on the part of the United States, and the undersigned chiefs, head-men, and delegates of the confederated tribes of the Flathead, Kootenay, and Upper Pend d’ Oreilles Indians, on behalf of and acting for said confederated tribes, and being duly authorized thereto by them. It being understood and agreed that … Read more

Jocko Reservation

Charlot's band on the March

Flathead Agency Report of Special Agent Horatio L. Seward on the Indians of the Jocko reservation, Flathead agency, Montana, December 1890, and January 1891. Names of Indian tribes or parts of tribes occupying said reservation: Bitter Root, Carlos band, Flathead, Kutenay, Lower Kalispal, and Pend d’Oreille. The unallotted area of this reservation is 1,433,600 acres, or 2,240 square miles. The reservation has been partly surveyed. It was established, altered, or changed by treaty of July 16, 1855 (19 U. S. Stats., p. 075). Indian population 1890: Pend d’Oreilles, Pmt nays, and Flatheads, 1,608; Carlos band and Bitter Root Flatheads, 146; … Read more

Carlos Agreement

Articles of agreement, made this 3rd day of November, A.D. 1889, between Henry B. Carrington, “special disbursing agent in the field,” designated by the Secretary of the Interior to secure the several “consents” of certain of the Flathead Indians to whom patents were issued for lands assigned to them in the Bitter Root Valley, Montana Territory, under the provisions of an act of Congress, approved June 15, A.D. 1872, entitled “An Act to provide for the removal of the Flathead and other Indians from the Bitter Root Valley, in the Territory of Montana, or the heirs-at-law of said Indians,” to … Read more

Certification of Michael Revais

UNITED STATES INDIAN SERVICE FLATHEAD INDIAN AGENCY, Arlee P.O., Mont., December, 1889. The undersigned, a Flathead Indian patentee of land in Bitter Root Valley, now living near the agency, on the Jocko Reservation, Mont., do certify that I acted as guide for General Henry B. Carrington, special agent of the Interior Department, during his negotiations with Chief Carlos and other Indian patentees of lands in Bitter Root Valley, Montana; that I accompanied him to the lands under examination, and upon examination of the “consents” secured to the appraisement and sale of fifty-three tracts, do state as my best conviction and … Read more

Certification of J. D’Aste, S. J.

UNITED STATES INDIAN SERVICE FLATHEAD INDIAN AGENCY, Dated Arlee P.O., Mont., December 13, 1889. The undersigned principal of the St. Ignatius Mission School, and for more than twenty years spiritual advisor and pastor of the Flathead Indians in bitter Root Valley, acquainted with their families and their language, hereby certify that I was present at interviews between General Henry B. Carrington, “special disbursing agent in the field” (who has been acting under the orders of the Secretary of the Interior to obtain the consent of Flathead Indian patentees of lands in Bitter Root Valley to the appraisement and sale of … Read more

Transfer of Power of Attorney

Know all men by these presents that I have appointed my brother, Alexander Matte, of the Flathead Indians, living on the reservation of said tribe known as the Jocko Reservation, my good and lawful attorney in fact to transact business for me and my name during my absence, and especially to execute any and all legal papers that may be necessary with view to the appraisal and sale of my landing Bitter Root Valley derived by patent from the United States, viz., E ½ NW ¼ and W ½ NE ¼, Sec. 26, T 9 R 20 W., containing 160 … Read more

Second supplemental order

On the relation of the United States, by Henry B. Carrington, its agent and attorney for certain Flathead Indians-Before district court of Missoula County, Mont. It appearing that Henry B. Carrington, relater on behalf of the United States respecting guardians for minor heirs of certain Flathead Indians, has filed a second certificate, such was directed by order of this court in such case provided, showing the designation and action of Chief Carlos Victor of said tribe of Indians, as guardian of his minor son Victor, the grandson of Widow Pallicino, by his first wife Margarite, since deceased, it is ordered … Read more

Second certificate supplemental to order of court

On the relation of the United States, by Henry B. Carrington, agent, attorney, etc;-in the district court, Missoula county.- Pursuant to an order of court entered December 7, 1889, I do hereby certify that Chief Carlos Victor, of the Flathead tribe of Indians, the grandfather of Victor, minor son of said Charles Victor, by Margret Pallicino, only daughter of widow Pallicino, a Flathead Indian patentee, deceased, has acted as guardian of said minor and executed his consent to the sale of the lands patented to the grandmother aforesaid, the mother of said Victor having also deceased.HENRY B. CARRINGTON,Agent and Attorney … Read more

Certificate supplemental to order of court

On the relation of the United States, by Henry B. Carrington, agent, attorney, etc.,-on the district court, Missoula County. Pursuant to an order of court entered December 7, 1889, touching guardians for certain Indians theretofore appointed and thereafter to be appointed, I do hereby certify that Rev. J. D’Aste, of St. Ignaius Mission, by virtue of said order, has acted as guardian for Moses and Narcisse (Delaware minor children of Delaware Jim, deceased), as a guardian of Anna, John, and Julia Curren, grandchildren of Widow Maltius, and Indian allotee of Indian land, deceased; also as guardian of Louis, who also … Read more

Feb. 11, 1874 Act

Chapter 25 Feb. 11, 1874. 18 Stat., 15. An act to amend the act entitled “An act to provide for the removal of the Flathead and other Indians from the Bitter-Root Valley, in the Territory of Montana,” approved June fifth, eighteen hundred and seventy-two. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the time of sale and payment of pre-empted lands in the Bitter-Root Valley, in the Territory of Montana, is hereby extended for the period of two years from the expiration of the time allotted in the … Read more

June 5, 1872 Act

Chapter 308 June 5, 1872. 17 Stat., 226. An act to provide for the removal of the Flathead and other Indians from the Bitter-Root Valley, in the Territory of Montana. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That it shall be the duty of the President, as soon as practicable, to remove the Flathead Indians, (whether of full or mixed bloods,) and all other Indians connected with said tribe, and recognized as members thereof, from Bitter-Root Valley, in the Territory of Montana, to the general reservation in said … Read more

List of those Signing Consents

In 1890 the United States removed the Flathead Indians from the Bitter Root Valley to the Jocko Reservation in Montana. The Flatheads who gave their consent to the release of the Flathead lands are listed in this document. List of those Signing Consents. 1. Widow Therese Brooks, Joseph Brooks (son), for self and as guardian for Cornelius Brooks and Louis Brooks. Louis Brooks for himself when found to be of age. Sophie Brooks Murengo (married daughter).2. Joseph Colluyer. Signed.3. Widow Mary Mouchelle. Signed. Antoine Monchelle, only son also signed.4. Medicine Pere. Rosaline (widow) signed. Sophie (only child) signed.5. Narcisse Trochee. … Read more

Mar. 2, 1889 Act

An act to provide for the sale of lands patented to certain members of the Flathead band of Indians in Montana Territory, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Interior, with the consent of the Indians severally, to whom patents have been issued for lands assigned to them in the Bitter Root Valley, in Montana Territory, under the provisions of an act of Congress approved June fifth, eighteen hundred and seventy-two, entitled “An act to provide for the removal … Read more

July 1, 1898 Act

Chapter 545 July 1, 1898. 30 Stat., 571. An act making appropriations for the current and contingent expenses of the Indian Department and for fulfilling treaty stipulations with various Indian tribes for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, eighteen hundred and ninety-nine, and for other purposes. SEC. 9 That with the consent of the Indians, severally, the Secretary of the Interior is hereby authorized to cause a reappraisement of the unsold tracts of land of the Flathead Indians, situated in the Bitter Root Valley, Montana, by such person connected with the Indian service as he may designate, and that such … Read more

Flathead Indians of Bitter Root Valley Montana

The article “Extracts from Senate Executive Document #231 of the 51st Congress, 1st Session concerning Flathead Indian Allotments in Montana, 1889” provides a detailed account of the removal of the Flathead Indians from the Bitter Root Valley to the Jocko Reservation in Montana. This document includes a list of Flathead Indians who consented to the land release, along with the relevant acts and supporting documents. The Bitter Root Valley lands, spread across nine townships, were affected by several legislative acts, starting with the Act of June 5, 1872, and subsequent amendments up to 1898. The document also includes certifications, orders, and agreements related to the land allotments and removal process. Additionally, it references various sources for further information, including the United States General Land Office records, St. Ignatius Mission records, and Missoula County court records.