The New York herald., 1875-09-20
THE LAW INVOKED.
FORT BrHrHo1D, Dakota, Sept. l2, 1875.


nent steamboat captain said 'the others may be cor
rupt but this square, and perfect gentle
man as can be found anywhere" " An army officer
assured me that he model Christian, of keen
'derstanding and with practical business education.
The pame Of this agent is L. B. Spcrry He represents
the Aricksree, Gros ventre and Mandan tribes.
Mr.. Sperry is not an ordinary man. His enterprise
and intelligence have lifted him from the obscury OF
country village to his present position which has not
been obtained without great influence. He was born
and reared in sherman, Chautauqua county New York,
the head of CSautauqua Lake have visited that
neghborhood and after thorough investigation there
and here am convinced that he is a bad man, with
few Of the generous instincts that made Fisk and Tweed
popular among the But he has the art Of
pleasing strangers and those VINO meet him on the
cars in hotel parlors think him rare gentleman
THE
ffe graduated from Oberln where he won the friend
chip of its President and his family to-day he has
n long line of acquaintances, extending from Fort
Buford to Washington l sorry to say that he
recommended to this agency by the American Mission
ary Society, of New York He then professor in
Ripon College, Wisconsin He taught in several of the
departments and spent a travelling through
the Lake Superior region collecting mineral specimens
for his institution. Previous to this he had been
physician Mr. Sperry is small in stature with keen
blue eyes and prepossesslng countenance He is
active restless man. and exhibits air Of considerable
shrewdness. l have conversed with who knew
him from boyhood Those who watched with pride his
earlier career and who loved him for his virtues
sorrowfuIy admit that he has greatly disappointed
them. Facts these letters will show that this young
of honorable parentage, who admired by
wide circle of acquantances is now detested
by friends and relatives who know him
best; that he has violated the trust placed
q bv tha no hae
the Indians, robbed the people and disgraced the
Christian society OF which he is a member II need
less TO add that he enjoys the friendship confidence
OF the Interior Department, and that Commissioner
Smith is his hacker and friend.
At Ripon College be worked hard and was very am
bilious With wife support on a small salary he
naturally anxious TO find more profitable employ
ment Then he had trouble with the faculty
which made his position unpleasant When it was de-
terrnined to Mr. Tappan who was agent here
Mr.. sperry's friends called Commissioner Smiths
attentog to his many qualifications and few words
from the Missionary Society got him the appointment
or it is human TO look out for ones friends
Mr. sperry selected his staff OF assistants and
prepared to move hither II was said that the
agent then in charge had defrauded the gov
ernment of large amounts, and had demorazcd
the Indians until their condition was most ptful Com
missioner Smith and the missionary people said that
the red men must be brought the Christian fold and
cescued from the who stealing their annuites
and seducng their
TIE Journey TO FORT BERTHoLD
Mr.. sperry entered his mission with apparent en-
thusiasm He gathered bis and friends around
him at Sherman and took the cars for Dakota He
wanted Christian and women, he said. Those who
went with him considered honest and intelligent
Most Of them could sing and play Musical instruments
we're taken and the prospect for noble work among
The Indians really encouraging. Some Michigan
and Wisconsin friends who had received appointments
nnder the agent joined him the route and there
much rejoicing
the rolled over the grand praries OF Dakota
they sang sweet hymns and the passengers were in
vited to join in their worship
What passed through the mind Of Mr. Sporry during
hat memorable journey heaven only Knows but the
1rst thing that be did reaching Bismarck to call
on Mr.. J. W. Raymond fellow graduate OF Oberln
md now one Of the largest merchants between Fort
Benton and Yankton It will be shown in these col
that Mr., sperry's wicked dates from this
arst meeting
REFORM
Fort Berthold agency is situated on the Missouri
River ninety miles by land northwest of Bismarck
Fort Stevenson, a military post under command OF
Colonel Huston lies sixteen miles below this agency
When Mr. Sperry reached Fort Stevenson and before
(. certain lieutenant who wished to sell him what is
rnown as ''the company savings" sperry refused to
suy on the ground accordingto the rules the
department be must 6rst advertise for supplies
he Indians might have the benefit OF competition The
lieutenant told him that the old agent had bought Of
him. as he sold At tho lowest market price.
Nr sperry then said that he would see him
,gain and he went his way. few days after
that he took the provisions, but when the bill
was in and the lieutenant wished 70 sell more,
Eperry observed sharply that they too high The
officer did agree with him, the prices really
than those asked at the stores Mr sperry grew
warm and startled bis opponent by saying that be knew
what he was talking about Raymond, in Bismarck,
be said sold cheaper fact he had made arrangements
10 buy his supplies OF him his first trip up the river
The lieutenant was completely silenced, but be told
bis friends that the new agent had proved himself
Tar, and he believed him 70 be a scoundrel For,
his first visit he said he advert se for Indian sup
plies according to law but sfterw ard in the heat
Sf discussion, he acknowledged that he had made a
bargain to buy OF Raymond before he had even seen
lhe Indians which he 70 reform. Such the
seginnng OF the dspensation under the auspices
sf religious society and the direction Of Christian
Commissioner.
rHs AGENTS PARTNER
T-w RAYMOND who is known as Sperrys partner,
.als from Allegheny City, near Pttsburg, locality
Shich is well represented on the Upper Missouri by
Aoamboatmsn who handle the Indian supplies sent to
NAT MYSTERIOUS region As before stated be edu-
,ated st oberln. He has done business at different
aoints on the Northern Pacific Railway since its
hepcement and his record is dark all the way from
huuth TO Fort Berthold. He had store at Oak Lake
SalIon in the days when Smith, Wilder Co. swndled
khe Indians and he has much influence with the wash
lrgton Ring. shall not repeat the charges tna' are
hnSde against him when he employe In store At