Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1878-02-09

with and nothing but. u harmless pile of
ashes marks the site Of Powers stable.
SANTEE AGENCY.
HI Home OF the Remnant of the Mime.
sofa Butchers OF 1862 The Indians as
Farmcrs-Tho Negro odfrry-Status OF
h AHent-Churches aud Schools-DO.
mestic Animals 81 Cats and AIS Dogs
Sanitary Condition or thc..Indians, &c.
SANrEE AGENCY, Neb.. Feb. 8, '7s.
We left Niobrara on Monday morning
and a twelve miles ride along the south
bsnk of the Missouri river brought US to
Santee agency. This place Is occupied by
the remnant of the ,Santee Indians, who
perpetrated the horrible massacre OF 1862
in western MinnesotV. They were removed
to this place in 1868. The site of the aqen-
cy is an admirable one, and according to
our notion is the most eligibly located of
any Of the agencies which we have visited
on the river. ltoccupies a beautiful plateau
Of bench land, which is sufficiently undu.
lating to afford perfect drainage, and give 1t
a pleasant and inviting appearance.
The number Of Indians is 800. They are
further advanced in the arts of civilization
than any other northern tribe. They have
discarded the blanket and other Indian tog.
gerry, and dress after the fashion of the
whites. We did not see a blanketed Indian
on the agency. They live in comfortable
log houses, and the conventional tepec is
seldom seen. Several years 6 about fifty
of these Indians left the agency, renounced
their tribal relations, declared their inten-
tions t, become citizens OF the United
States, and entered land under the home.
stead act near Flandreau, Moody county, on
the Big Sioux river. They improved their
land. built houses, and gave encouraging
evidence that they were on the broad road
TO thorough civilization. This winter, how
ever, all, or nearly al of these Indians are
At this agency drawing government %rations,
and some of them aver that they are going
to say here, evidently preferring to eat the
rations deal. out by Uncle Sam to earning
their own livelihood by honest toll. A
movement is now being made at Washing
ton to secure the passage by congress OF a
bill giving the Indians an absolute
title to the ,snd embraced in this
reservation. II this should be done the
land will be surveyed aud appor.
toned among the Indians. They will
then be furnished with farming Implements
and taught to depend upon their own ex-
e%rtions for a living. Since they have been
located here these Indians have done con.
siderable in the way crop.raising. Last
year they raised seven thousand bushels Of
wheat, and a fair quantity of other crops.
Among the most enterprising and success
full farmers among them is the negro
Godfrey, who has been with the Santees
time out of mind, and who figured 20 con-
spicuously as a witness in the trial of the
Indians at Mankato in 1862, which trial
resulted in the conviction and execution
by hanging Of 80 Of the participators in the
massacre Of that year. 1t was generally be-
lieved then that be turned Estates evidence"
and that in the massacre he was the most
cruel and blood thirsty of the tribe. He
is married to a squaw, and lives in a comfort
able log house about midway between Mo
brara and the agency.
This agency is under the control Of the
Friends or Quakers. Isaiah Lightner is in
charge of the agency, He was appointed
agent about nine months ago, but has not
been conirmed'by the senate, and exercises
the functions Of agent under the title OF
farmer in charge" Maj. Gasmann, OF
Yankton agency, is designated as acting
agent, but exercises no further authority
than to receive and forward the reports Of
Mr.. Lightner. When the senate failed to
confirm Mr.. l.. the commissioner requested
him to take charge and manage the affairs
Of the agency under the title of farmer in
charge, at a salary of 81, 500 a year. When
his vouchers were sent in a new commits.
%sioner had been appointed, and he cut
down the salary from ST 800 to 5000 a year.
This Mr.. Lightner refu.es to accept
and demands, and justly too, that he be paid
the salary agreed upon. Mr.. Lightner has
faithfully discharged all the work and duties
of agent, and is certainly entitled to the re-
Enumeration fixed by the government for
that Office. He does not take this position
merely on account of the money-for he is
in good circumstances-but as a matter ofius-
tice and honor. His confirmation did not
fail for the reason of his unftness for the
place, but on account of the opposition of
the Nebraska senators who claim that the
Office belongs to their state and that they
should have the right to name the officer.
Three different religious denominations
have churches and schools at the agency.
The Congregational church is in charge Of
Rev. A. L. Riggs, and the school, which is
maintained by "The American Board"
has the following corps of teachers and IN
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