The Sacred Buffalo Vision by Robert J. Juneau and Robert C. Juneau pg.59-60

railroad baron, Jim Hill, conspires with the agency ring

Former Blackfeet Agent Mark Baldwin wrote to James J. Hill about his discovery of deep coal deposits on the Blackfeet Reservation. He had discovered the coal deposits while prospecting near the town of Cut Bank on the eastern boundary, but, alas, the coal deposits were on the Blackfeet Indian reservation. Baldwin had a proposition: “It occurs to me that this coal might be of great benefit to your road. I am also satisfied that this part of the reserve could be obtained from these Indians if the proper effort was made. There is a good site for a town on the road at that point.”

James J. Hill was also carrying on conspiracy correspondence with E.C. Garrett, Chief Clerk at the Blackfeet Agency, who was doing some prospecting of his own. On November 7, 1892 Chief Clark Garrett made Hill an interesting proposition: “It is probable a rich and extensive mineral field exists on this Indian Reservation. If so could we reckon on your influence in getting a bill through Congress at its next session to have that portion of the reservation thrown open. Our Senators will stand in line with us, we are pretty sure, but we would like to know this early who else we may rely on when we think advisable to bring the matter to a focus.”

Hill responded to Garrett with his own plan for developing the Indian ores-to remove the Blackfeet to Dakota Territory. Garrett responded that this did not seem feasible for several reasons; that the Indians still had treaty monies owed to them, and while such funds lasted the Indians would not consent to removal, “Nor do I think they ever will, as they are much attached to their country and homes.”  Garrett explained to Hill that the government would soon allot lands to the Indians leaving the un-allotted lands open to public entry and these lands would likely contain the coveted mineral belt.

 “What we shall want, when the time is ripe, is the opening of the mountain country west of the north and south line drawn say through Midvale to the British Boundary, of course they will make a strong kick against giving up the mountain country, but I do not think it will be such a difficult matter if the right commissioners are selected to treat with them. We will depend on your aid and will probably write you further.”
-The Sacred Buffalo Vision by Robert J. Juneau and Robert C. Juneau  
pg.59-60