13, 1899. May 29, 1900, the Department designated Special Agent Taggart to conduct negotiations with the company for right of way through the individual holdings of the Indians of said nations for the entire line of the road. July 5, 1900, the Department accepted a draft for $4,638.50, tendered by the company as payment in full for right of way through the Creek Nation, covering a distance of 92.77 miles.

St. Louis, Tecumseh and Lexington Railway Company.-Reference is made in the last annual report to the fact that on March 9, 1899, the Department granted authority for the above-named company to locate and survey its line of railroad over and across Indian lands and reservations lying between the St. Louis and San Francisco Railway at or near the town of Stroud, in Oklahoma, and extending thence in a southwesterly direction, by way of Tecumseh, to the town of Lexington, Okla. Such authority was granted, with the express provision that formal application for the location and survey of the road would thereafter be made and that the proofs and papers required by the regulations of the Department would thereafter be submitted for approval. December 5, 1899, the Department accepted the proofs and papers submitted by the company as a full compliance with Department regulations and as a fulfillment of the conditions under which the original authority was granted the company to make a survey of its line of road.

Shawnee, Oklahoma and Indian Territory Railway Company.--In addition to the authority previously granted the above-named company for the location and survey of a line of road as mentioned in the last annual report (p. 64), on September 22 the Department granted authority for the location and survey of a line of road commencing at the termination of the line, for which authority had already been granted, at or near Stroud, in Lincoln County, Okla., and extending thence by the most feasible and practicable route in a northerly and northwesterly direction through Lincoln, Payne, and Pawnee counties. and the Osage and Kaw Indian reservations to the southern boundary of Kansas. No maps of definite location of the line of road have yet been submitted for approval.

Tecumseh and Shawnee Railroad Company.-For data respecting the granting of authority for said company to locate and survey a line of railroad through Indian lands in Oklahoma, see annual report of this office for 1899, page 64. No maps of definite location of the line of road have yet been submitted for approval.

Nez Percé Indian lands.-Clearwater Valley Railroad Company.July 31, 1899, the Department approved four maps showing the definite location of the line of road of the above-named company through the former Nez Percé Indian Reservation and one plat of station grounds along the line of the road situated in lot 5 and the SW. of the NE. of sec. 3, T. 36 N., R. 1 W., Boise meridian. March 17,

1900, the Department approved the schedule of damages for right of way of the company as assessed by Inspector Beede through the allotments of thirty-five allottees. The total amount of the award to the allottees was $3,848.65. This amount was tendered by the company, and on the date of the approval of the schedule was accepted by the Department as payment in full. Inspector Beede's report also showed that seventeen allottees refused to consent to the awards made in their behalf. Upon the recommendation of this office the Attorney-General has directed the United States district attorney for Idaho to bring suits in the proper courts of that State for the settlement of damages in behalf of the dissenting allottees.

Clearwater Short Line Railway Company.-July 31, 1899, the Department approved the map of definite location of the company through the former Nez Percé Indian Reservation, Idaho, from mile 62.819 at a point in the south line of sec. 20, T. 32 N., R. 4 E., Boise meridian, to the southeastern boundary of the reservation, at mile 76.14. October 7, 1899, the Department approved a plat of station grounds along the Lapwai branch of the company's road in secs. 14 and 23, T. 35 N., R. 4 W., Boise meridian. November 20, 1899, the Department accepted the relinquishment of the company to the original right of way shown upon the map of definite location between mile 58.578 and mile 61.801 eastward from the mouth of Big Potlatch Creek, and approved the amended map showing the relocation of the company's line of road between said points. The map was approved as follows:

Approved in lieu of and as a substitute for that portion of the line of road between mile 58.578 and mile 61.801 eastward from the mouth of Big Potlatch Creek, which original map of definite location was approved June 9, 1899, said amended location being approved only so far as the line of road shown herein lies on and within Indian lands, subject to all the requirements and limitations contained in the act of Congress approved March 1, 1899 (30 Stats., 918), and subject also to all valid existing rights.

January 19, 1900, the Department approved the plat showing the definite location of station grounds selected by the company in Indian allotment No. 1833, in sec. 35, T. 37 N., R. 2 W., Boise meridian, located on the 10-mile section between the seventh and seventeenth mileposts; also the plat showing the definite location of station grounds desired by the company upon the Lapwai branch in Indian allotments Nos. 674 and 679, in secs. 14 and 15, T. 35 N., R. 3 W., Boise meridian, located on the 10-mile section between the tenth and twentieth mileposts of said branch line.

March 6, 1900, the Department referred to this office an opinion of the Assistant Attorney-General for the Department, dated March 3, 1900, in which the Department concurred, wherein it was held that the company may erect or permit others to erect upon its right of way and depot grounds suitable structures or buildings, such as ware

houses and elevators to facilitate the convenient receipt and delivery of freight, so long as the full exercise of the franchise granted is not interfered with and a free and safe passage is left for the carriage of freight and passengers.

March 31, 1900, the Department approved the plat showing the lands selected by the company for station purposes in the N. of sec. 1, T. 33 N., R. 3 E., Boise meridian, said station grounds being located on the 10-mile section between the forty-second and fifty-second mileposts of the main line of the road. April 3, 1900, the Department approved the map of definite location of a portion of the Lapwai branch from mile 12 to mile 17.923. April 23, 1900, the Department approved the map of definite location of a portion of the Lapwai branch of the company's road from mile 17.923 to mile 28.651. June 6, 1900, the Department approved the plat showing the definite location of station grounds selected by the company upon the 10-mile section between the twentyseventh and thirty-seventh mileposts located in secs. 6 and 7, T. 36 N., R. 2 E., Boise meridian; also the plat showing the definite location of station grounds selected by the company upon the 10-mile section between the seventeenth and twenty-seventh mileposts located in secs. 33 and 34, T. 37 N., R. 1 E., Boise meridian. June 19, 1900, the Department accepted the relinquishment of the company of all its right, title, and interest acquired by reason of the approval on July 31, 1899, of a certain map of definite location of its line of road from mile 62.819 to the southeastern boundary of the reservation at mile 76.14, and approved an amended and corrected map of definite location showing the company's line of road through that portion of the former Nez Percé Reservation from mile 62.819 to the southeastern boundary of the reservation, at mile 75.884, the line of definite location shown upon the latter map lying along the south fork of the Clearwater River and up Three Mile Creek to the south boundary line of the reservation. The Department canceled and annulled the first-mentioned map and approved the latter map in lieu thereof.

June 22, 1900, the Department approved the schedule of damages for right of way of the company through the allotments of 79 allottees and the lands of two institutions-the Presbyterian Church at Spalding and the Presbyterian Church at Kamiah-as assessed by Inspector Beede, the total amount of the assessment being $14,068.95. The negotiations, however, represented by said schedule did not include the entire line of the road through the former Nez Perce Reservation, but covered only the main line from the mouth of Big Potlatch Creek to the end of construction up to May 29, 1900 (date of the report), and also only the first 12 miles of the Lapwai branch. This left the remainder of the main line and the remainder of the Lapwai branch to be covered by subsequent negotiations.

July 9, 1900, the company, through its local attorneys, submitted to the office a draft for $14,068.95. July 13 this draft was indorsed

payable to the order of Agent Stranahan, of the Nez Percé Agency, and he was directed to collect the same and to pay the proceeds thereof to the Indian allottees rightly entitled thereto.

Inspector Beede's report also showed that there were 17 allottees. with whom amicable settlement could not be effected. Upon the recommendation of this office, the Attorney-General directed the United States attorney for the district of Idaho to bring actions in the proper courts of Idaho for the settlement of damages in behalf of the dissenting allottees.

August 14, 1900, Agent Stranahan, who had been designated to conduct the further negotiations between the Indians and the company, requested that authority be granted him to prepare a supplemental schedule of damages in behalf of these allottees and to allow them to sign a schedule of awards in case satisfactory terms could now be agreed upon. He stated that in his judgment there was an inclination on the part of some of the dissenting allottees to treat with the company for right of way through the lands rather than to risk the results of a suit in the courts of Idaho for the determination of the damages. September 6, the Department granted such authority, and on September 10 the office fully instructed him.

Southern Ute Indian Lands, Colorado.-Rio Grande, Pagosa and Northern Railway Company.-August 3, 1899, Agent Knackstedt was directed to assess tribal damages, if any, for right of way of the company through the former Ute Indian Reservation, and also to act with and for the individual allottees in negotiating amicable settlements with the company for right of way through their respective allotments. January 15, 1900, the Department approved the schedule of appraisement of damages for right of way of the company through the lands of the Southern Ute allottees. The total amount of the assessment was $375.76. The report showed that no tribal lands were crossed by the line of the road. Agent Knackstedt's report also showed that the company had already paid certain of the allottees $150 as an advance payment for said right of way. January 29, 1900, the company submitted New York exchange for $225.76 in payment of the remainder of the damages. February 6 this draft was indorsed, payable to the order of Agent Knackstedt, and he was directed to collect the same and to pay the proceeds to the allottees rightly entitled thereto. March 24 Agent Knackstedt submitted a schedule of receipts showing the payment of the amounts assessed to the allottees whose lands are crossed by the line of the road.

Yankton Sioux Indian Lands, South Dakota.- Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway Company.-October 17, 1899, the Department approved the company's map of definite location of its line of road through the allotted lands of the Indians of the former Yankton Reservation, S. Dak. September 8, preceding the approval of the map, the Department designated Agent Harding of the Yankton Agency

to act with and for the allottees in negotiating amicable settlements with the company for right of way through their respective allotments. November 28, 1899, the Department approved the schedule of damages for right of way through the lands of the Indians as assessed by Agent Harding. The total amount of the assessment was $1,720.86. December 1 the company tendered a draft in said amount as payment in full of the damages assessed. December 6 the draft was indorsed, payable to the order of Agent Harding, and he was directed to collect the same and to pay the proceeds to the allottees rightly entitled thereto. February 5, 1900, Agent Harding submitted a schedule of receipts showing the payment of damages to the allottees.

Leech Lake Reservation, Minn.-Brainerd and Northern Minnesota Railway Company.-October 10, 1899, the Department approved the schedule of appraisement of damages for right of way of the abovenamed company through the Leech Lake Reservation, Minn. The price per acre for both tribal and allotted lands was placed at $7. The tribal damages amount to $39.76. The total damages were $241.90. October 14 the company was called upon to make payment of this amount to this office. The amount assessed in behalf of the individual Indians was paid direct to Acting Agent Mercer, of the Leech Lake Agency, and by him was distributed among the Indians entitled thereto. October 17, 1899, the company submitted a draft for $39.76 in payment of the tribal damages. November 27 Acting Agent Mercer submitted a schedule of receipts showing the payment of damages to the individual Indians.

Colville Reservation, Wash.- Washington Improvement and Development Company.-Mention is made in the last annual report of the approval by the Department of three maps of definite location of the company's line of road through said reservation, commencing at the southerly end of Curlew Lake and extending in a general southerly direction to the Columbia River, near the mouth of Sans Poil River. November 27, 1899, the Department approved two maps of definite location showing the remainder of the line of the road through the Colville Reservation. The line of road as shown upon said maps commences at the southerly end of Curlew Lake and extends in a general northerly and northwesterly direction to the international boundary line between the United States and British Columbia, a distance of 30.98 miles. No action has been taken in the matter of settlement of damages for right of way of the company through the reservation.

SEMINOLES IN FLORIDA.

Under the several annual appropriations for that purpose, the following lands have been purchased for the use of the Seminole Indians in Florida:

From the Plant Investment Company: Sec. 25, T. 47 S., R. 32 E.; secs. 23, 25, and 35, T. 48 S., R. 32 E., 2,560 acres, for $1,600.