Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1878-01-02
up the MISSOURI.
Ronxhing 1t Over the Frozen Roads
Things OH the Yankton Reserva.
tiOn and at Springfield.
SPRINGFIELD, D. T., Dec. 81, III

innings ON the 1anktOn ReservA.
tion and at Springfield.
SPRINGFIELD, D. T., Dec. 81, III.
Friday afternoon and evening a consider.
able fall of snow occurred at Yankton
agency, followed by colder weather, which
settled the mud question, but left the roads
in such a condition of roughness as to make
a ride over them in a lumber wagon on an
u cushioned seat a matter not only of dis
comfort but of stern punishment. Having
concluded our business at the agency and
desiring to reach Choteau creek before dark,
which we could not have done if we had
waited for the stage, we took passage in a
freight wagon belonging to H. c. Dawson,
of Springfield. which had brought to the
agency eight Santee Indians to attend st.
Paul school, and started on our down river
trip. For the privilege of enjoying this
ride we were charged by Mr.. D. the modest
sum of ten cents per mile. We paid the
demand, buff we should say that We enjoyed
the ride and paid the price with pleasure
we should deserve to he tx ,elled forthwith
from the little hatche, society.
Saturday vas issue day at the agency.
and VIC passed large numbers Of Indians
carrying home their share Of the govern
ment grub pile" The plebian red totes
his share on his back generally. however,
the toting is done nv proxy, his sqnaw acting
in that capacity. The middle class (for he it
remembered there are classes. even snobberv,
among the Indians as well as among the
whites,) pack their allowance on horseback
while the upper zen do their tran porting
in wagons, and some are so far advanced az
TO whirl over the prairics in comfortable bug
gies.
A few miles below the agency our atter.
ton was attracted by the piercing cries and
wailing of an old squaw. As WI drew near
er, We discovered that she was mourning
over he grave Of one Of her relatives. The
grave had the appearance Of being an old
one, but Judging from the vehemerce of her
cries her grief was still fresh in her heart.
The road led close by the grave, yet the
rafting of the wagon and the crack of the
drivers whip, did not divert her attention.
She remained motionless, and her shrill
mourning song was not in the least in
te-rnrtcd by our close proximity to the rude
mound which enshrined the ashes of the one
she was so noisily lamenting.
At noon, after many a bonn and a bump
and bone-rattleing jar, we arrived at Geo.
Trumho's Cho'eau creek ranch, where we
intended to cross the river and pay our re-
spects to our old friend ofthe regular army.
Col. Spottad Tail. BIT after hearing Of the
danger Of the crossing, Of the many hair
breadth escape from watery graves
which had been made bv persons endeavor
ing tn effect a crossing, we concluded to a.
low old Snot t, mourn our absence a little
longer, and instead Of crossing the river we
ale a good DINNER at Trumbo's. and bumped
along I Springfield. Mr. Trumbn has one
Of the hest ranches IN the rad: his build.
iags are substantial and comfortable, and
his house is a favorite stopping place Of
travellers in that region. At Trumbo's We
met and entered into conversation with a
small elderly man, and apparently an entire
stranger. After a few moments talk, his
remarks led US to inquire his name. ~
which he responded that his name was Nc.
Bride. care you a relative Of John Nc.
bride, who formerly lived on Sioux Point"
we asked. :" am the person 10 whom Won
allude--mv name Is John Mcbride" And.
sure enough, a close scrutiny revealed in
the now witheled face indistinct outlines al
the once round and full features of John
Mcbride. one Of the pioneer settlers of the
territory. and a member Of the first terrific
rial legislature. He is now permanently
located in the upper country, and was en-
gagged during the past summer in freightine
| between Pierre and the Black Hills.
On the east bank of Chcteau creek, which
stream forms the eastern boundary Of The
Yankton indian reservation, there are {
number Of places where liquor is sold, anc
not %unfrequently it finds its way into the
hands and stomachs Of the Indians. A few
days ago some of the Indians residing or
the point between Choteau creek and thu
Missouri river, and right under the shadow
Of the church spire, procured a supply of fire
water, and got on a %whooping, fighting
drunk Knives and firearms were freely usec
by the Indians in their drunken frenzy, bu
by some chance no n was seriously hurt
Finally one of the Indians reputed, to be
desperate and dangerous fellow, armed with
a double barreled shot gun, put the entire
settlement of Indians bucks, squaws auc
pappooses-to.aight. THE fugitives were no'
allowed to return to their homes until thu
next day, and spent the night in the brush
and r%avines. During their absence the in
furiated savage broke up his and hi
neighbors furniture, smashed stoves, and hac