Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1878-05-17
UNEASY SIOUX.

L
Dtsanectton and Rebellion Croppin
Oat AZ Yankton AKency-Red Men Al
Along the LINE share In the Feeling
Toe Much Reform alton.
The transactions Of the past month or tw
In the Indian country are having an ez
ceedingly bad effectupon the Indians, VII
are difficult to, control At Ill times, eve
under the most favorable circumstances. Th
sudden changes which have been made q
most Of the agencies-the removal Of
large portion Of the white force which ha
managed affairs for several years and tn
substitution Of strangers is bearing its fruit
II has ever been the policy Of those familiar
with the nature of the Indian to make nc
sudden, sweeping changes, but to gradually
accomplish necessary renewals. giving
the Indians time TO become acquainted with
the manners of new emplove before an
other was introduced. The wisdom of this
course cannot be questioned. Indians are
ever suspicious. and uneasy-ever jealous
Of their fancied rights. After becoming &C
customed to the ways of . particular white
man they are distrustful OF the ways of any
other white man who succeeds to the posi-
tlon occupied by the one whose nature and
habits they had learned through daily ex-
psrience 1t is, therefore, not surprising
that the service should have become de-
moralized all the way up the Missouri river.
Agents, traders, clerks, boss farmers, boss
millers, boss carpenters, and employees gen.
orally have been summarily ordered out of
the country and their places supplied with
strangers.
We have from time to time heard various
rumors ofgrowing uneasiness as near tous as
Yankton agency and as far away from us ~
Brule and Grow creek agencies. Later in
and 1t is of a reliable nature, is
% the effect that the Yankten band is be.
coming more and more rebellious and un.
'uly. For years these Indians. though ori-
sinally possessing hearts that were bad,
have been quiet and docile and disposed to
follow peaceful avocations. The change
In Spotted Tails camp brought the Indians
Of these two agencies very near together
and this contact has had a noticeable effect
IN the Yanktens. May. Gssmann was,
however, good manager and was thorough
y acquainted with the ways OF his Indians.
He was therefore able to hold them in
heck and prevent their dormant rebellious-
less from developing. Since his departure
rom the agency things lave not been rum
ing smoothly. Various innovations upon
he customs Of the past have reused the In
ian ire, and the Yanktons are now in
ondition Of mind which makes necessary
he most sagacious management. This feel
,g of disaffection extends through the
lmps of other bands along the river.
Reliable men from up the river give US &C
'unts of the condition Of affairs, and pub
sh them because We have confidence in the
'urce. The way matters are going there is
'ason to expect that large numbers Of these
adians will leave their agencies and strike
u Sitting Bulls camp, or for the Big Horn
,gion, or some other locality where they
IN have things their own way. Thus far
10 experiments of the reform administra-
on have not been productive Of any great
ood. We shall see what the future will
evelop.