The Glacier Reporter

Editorial Comment

INDIANS CAREFUL WITH "HERITAGE" FORTUNE

NOTE: The following article by Richard Field is from a recent issue of The Oregonian of Portland. Mr. Field is a staff writer for that newspaper.

Reprint From the Spokesman Review, July 24, 1961

The Klamath Indians aren't in the least feather-brained when it comes to money.

They have proved this by the way many of them have handled small fortunes which came their way April 1.

At that time some 200 sold their heritage for around $43,000 apiece - cash. There was considerable speculation how they might whoop it up.

Now, they have shown themselves as hard-headed businessmen — just as their ancestors proved themselves hard fighters.

There have been wild stories about their spending - but that was only to be expected, believes George Callison, manager of Klamath Falls Chamber of Commerce.

One story circulated about an Indian who bought a brand-new car, and drove straight out through the showroom window.

Another story was about an Indian who carted his $43,000 around in a paper sack, got drunk, and nearly lost every cent.

But such stories, says Callison, have no foundation - and were probably made up in some local tavern.

The truth is, he says, the Indians have impressed everyone in the district by their careful and calculated spending. Many put their capital straight into banks, investments, stocks, bonds, insurance or property.

Les Offield, manager of the U. S. National Bank, says the majority of the recipients have invested at least part of their cash.

The government had provided an educational program before the distribution of the wealth, but many Indians came to the bank of their own free will, he says.

It isn't true, of course, that Klamath Falls (pop. 17,000) has derived no economic benefit from the Indians' $12 million windfall.

The automobile dealers have had a particularly successful 10 weeks trading since April 1.

One dealer sold 17 new cars - 15 for cash - in the first 48 hours.

Another dealer reports the sale of 60 new cars, many of them pickups and compacts, since April 1. He has also sold three $5,000 luxury models.

Sales of second-hand cars have soared, too. The same dealer has sold 150 to Indian buyers in the last 10 weeks.

Home appliance stores, too, have benefited from the newly acquired Indian wealth. Many Indians have invested in TV's, washing machines and refrigerators.

Some Klamath Indians have been rather more venturesome with their capital. One, Ben Lawyer, spent his money on acquiring a laundry in California.

The large Hayes McNoise family has invested in a ranch, cattle, truck, pickup and car. Alice Hood has spent a large sum of money on property on Main Street.

For the most part, it seems, the nouveau riche Indians have impressed the local populace with their conservatism.

"They could probably teach some white men a thing or two about handling money," commented one businessman. -The Oregonian.