March 3, 1914: Uses Ferryboat to Balk U.S. Agent

-Crafty lawyer lures red men to meeting on river

-Sign his contract

-Barred from reservation, attorney adopts ruse — much land is affected

COLVILLE, Wash, March 2 — On the Gifford-Inchelium ferryboat, moored in midstream of the Columbia River, W. Lon Johnson, a Colville attorney, succeeded in holding a meeting of the Colville Indians and at the same time thwarted the plans of the government agents, who had forbidden the meeting on the reservation.

Johnson went to Inchelium to close a contract with the redskins for legal services to litigate their rights before the department of the interior looking toward their securing title to lands which the Indians allege were taken from them years ago without the rights of treaty.

INDIAN AGENT BARS MEETING

Major J.M. Johnson, Indian agent, heard of the proposed meeting of the tribes at Inchelium and, acting under orders from his departmental head, gave out that no meeting was to be held except upon permit from the commissioner of Indian affairs. Major Johnson directed Indian farmer John Lawson to forestall any infraction of the rule. 

"IF NECESSARY USE FORCE"

Back over the wire came these words: "Put him off; if he will not go peaceably, use force, but eject him from the reservation."

Turning to the Indians attorney Johnson cried: "If you will follow me to the river we will hold this meeting, as you all understand that your superintendent will not allow it to be held here. Now what will you do?""

"We'll go with you," shouted half a hundred and all the Indians started with a rush for the ferryboat.

Moored midway in the stream, with Chief James Bernard for their sponsor, the Indians signed the contracts authorizing the execution of the contracts for legal services. The ferry was run back to shore, allowing the Indians to land, and then deposited the attorney at Gifford with the contracts secure in his pockets.

CLAIM PRESIDENT GRANT MADE ORDER

It is claimed by the Indians that under an executive  order rated April 9, 1872, President Grant set aside to the Methow, Okanogan, San Poil, Lake, Colville and Kalispel Tribe of Indians all that territory lying in the northeast corner of the then territory of Washington, east of the Okanogan River and north of the Spokane River; that on July 2, following this order was modified by striking all that territory east and south of the Columbia from the order; that they were deprived of this country without the agency of a treaty.