WASHINGTON, JULY 23 -- The President today issued the following proclamation, directing the cattlemen in the Cheyenne and Arapaho reservation, in the Indian territory, to remove their cattle within forty days.Whereas, Certain portions of the Cheyenne and Arapaho reservation in the Indian territory are occupied by persons other than Indians, who claim the right to keep and graze cattle thereon by agreement made with the Indians for whose special possession and occupancy said lands have ben reserved by the government of the United States or under other pretexts and licenses; and,
Whereas, All such agreements and licenses are deemed void and of no effect, and persons so occupying said lands with cattle are considered unlawfully upon the domain of the United States so reserved as aforesaid, and,
Whereas, The claims of such persons under said lease and licenses, and their unauthorized presence, upon such reservation has caused complaint and discontent on the Indians located thereon, and is likely to cause outbreaks and disturbances.
Now, therefore, I, Grover Cleveland, president of the United States, do hereby order and direct that all persons other than the Indians, who are now upon any part of said reservation, so within forty days from the date of this proclamation, depart and entirely remove therefrom with their cattle, horses and other property.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington on the 23 day of July, 1885, and the year of the independence of the United States, the 110th. Grover Cleveland,
By the President: T. F. Bayard, Secretary of State.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
This RootsWeb website is being created by HTML Guy Jerry Ferrin with the able assistance of many Contributors. Your comments, suggestions and contributions of historical information and photographs to this site are welcome. Please sign the Guest Book. This page was last updated 22 August 2004.