The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-12-26
Cur Minnesota Correspondence.
sIorx Agency. Mimi. Nov. IS.

SIoux Agency, MINI, Nov. IS, 1854
Progress Of CiratioR Among me Lolccr Soar iadidn'-
Adoption Of the Whit Mans Costume By Seventeen Of The
T1Je-Ididn Traders Dsfended-Fi1thr Troubles APP
pretended nth the Spirit Lake Archaeological a,
Hts old PFactices DE- 6c.
This agency Is the lower settlement upon the Sioux
seryaion from to twelve miles from the ceded
land the settled portion OF the country any direction,
and ives, or northwest whatever
One Of the unnitiated might inquire "How can 1--we
or what they do from ali the comforts usu,
civilized sccieyY" would answer that there more
real comfort here than In the crowded cities OF the East,
Here man nbales pure and invioraiing air unknown
the thousands who promenade Broadway Here the eve
meets every object, from the stout, athletic
savagcn his pant TO the sweet little bluebe that clGs
upon the prares. The wolves the birds the Gshes
all prcsen, an Of natural freedom and appear pos.
sess an idea Of independence.
A, this time, and for the last few days 1.-the agency
has been the OF attraction tho distribution
the fall annues has caused all the Indians TO collect in
this vicinity the has led the opening Of
large stocks goods by the traders class Of who
are properly estimated by the people 10 The East Ny
opinion Of Indian trader that he worthless
unprncpcd scoundrel without honor or honesty whose
business TO watch an opportunity to cheat and
dcfrand the Indian. My opinion now Is that they
honorable merchants, who come into the country
substantial articles Of merchandise, which they dis
pose ~ 10 the Indians fair and liberal terms. l
have watched the trading here and feel satisfied thai
there are traders any portion Of country
who prosecute their business more literally pore hJIora
bly, or honestly than the traders among the Sioux
The Superintendent, W. J. Cullen, aud the agent, j. X
Brown both here making the payments, and both
much respected by both Inans and whites. The Super
iniendent resides at st. Paul. and IS here temporarily
t disburs.ng oiocr Of the government Tue agent re
sides permanently tho rcscrva.on and Is rather odd
FISH Ne came INTO The country N 1872 As drum boy in
the army subsequently he west into the Indian trade
and has ned the country until the present time
lie Is married TO half breed, and has large family Of
children, all OF whom receiving good education He
speaks the Sioux nncny and is eiicent agent lie
every confidence W the capabiy OF the SIOUX TO be-
come civilized AMI appears 10 labor arduousy Tor the at
tainmeni ~ that obicc, A. politician BE atanls bgh
the state, aud spoken 81 az prominent dcmocrstc
dids,e fof tbo senate &c the United STATS We hear 81
seli- made men and n there any such tbs has
unquestonabiy made himself among the Indians n the
wids Of Minnesota.
An interesting ceremony came 81 here . day or two
since. and tha, vii lave al important place IL thc
history The Sioux. " they should finally leave their
present oGc 81 c The superintendent aud agcht met
few ~ the advanced Ia agriculture, and after
persuason Induced seventeen Of the Va cut oa tder
hair throw aside Their blankets, and rut the dress o.
tho white This 3 said TO be thorough test 90 their
adhoring 10 the mode OF hfe they have assumed
and confidently hoped that this little lana-thc Hfst
who have been shorn among the lower Sioux tandswI
lead the whole band into habits OF civilization. The time
propious their hunting grounds are beng occupied
by the whites, and they must either adopt agricultural
pursuits a. 81 subsistence, wander o into .ic
buffalo region ia the Ear West II IA said that great
change Is pcrcepthe these Indians within the last year
dance 81 corn, potatoes &c for their support during
winter Tho agent told that fifty houses had
erected for the lower Sioux alone during tue past year
In many OF the houses nj the comforts Of civilization
percerthe and they exhibit stroug contrast with the
condition Of those who s, occupy their skin or cotton
teepees.
a 10 the school taught al tho agency by M A. Robert
son. who u also married To a half breed have been
pleased TO the facility with which the scholars
learn pronounce the English letters. Many capable
Of reading quite well IN English, and never children
who improved rapidly IN the use Of the pen. AN not
Ixlta
into n white man. bat think il is possible at all, the
present superintendent and agent will make pro.
grese as they appear have full confidence which IS n
great dea IN any work and they arc energetic business
men, and exhibt every appearance Of determination to
succeed.
During the past summer four steam mills we're pur.
chased Cor che Sioux, Of which already opera
ton above Yellow Medicine and Is being erected be-
low Yellow Medicine and auehcr al this place. Another
Is 10 be erected Tacqu parle and by
the agent hopes to have them all ia operation lie pro.
poses instead Of the log buildings he q erecting
supply the Indians with frame buildings aud board fence
The scarcity of timber upon the reserve makes this
matter Of economy besides supplying good buildings for
those who wish to occupy them which never be
structed s said, from round logs have been eredby
logs upon the reservation TO build houses for half the
Indians.
There are rnors OF trouble between the settlers and
the Indians about the head waters Of the Desmoucs and
Spirit Lake, and Governor Sbey has despatched the Sec
rotary Of State Mr. Baasen 10 ascertain what foundation
there for the fears Of the settlers Report Gays that
nkpaduta with portion OF his band has got back 10 his
old hunting ground and The settlers dis asded with
his proximity. strange indeed that The government
permits these Indians TO At large after their wholesale
murder Of onr people last spring Such negligence would
influence whites 10 persist IN crime AMI cannot see how
u have any other effect upon the Indians. Neither
the murderers Of the settlers al Spirit Lake nor the pill
age aud burning Of Mcdary have ever been noticed, ex
cent by sending out few Indians after Iokpaduta