Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1878-07-31
UP RIVER OBSERVATIONS.
Crops In IL Critical Condition Condi.
ton OF Affairs at spotted Tail.

tion OF Affairs at spotted Tail.
Special Correspondence Press and DakotaiM
SPOTTED TAIL AGRNcY. July 2s, 1878.
All along the road from Yankton to Cho-
teau creek the farmers are busy harvesting,
and using every effort in their power to save
the immense crop of wheat and oats which
the soil has yielded. But the late heavy
rains have seriously retarded the work, not
only in stopping operations while the rain
lasted, but the ground has become SO muddy
that it is with the greatest difficulty that the
machines can he dragged through the fields.
In consequence Of these drawbacks the work
is slow, and much grain is dead ripe, and
its yield will be lesscncd every day that it
remains .uullarvested. Notwithstanding
these disadvantages, if the trouble does not
continue, the yield will he very good and
the quality will maintain Dakota's reputa-
ton Of No. ! wheat.
Springfield prescnts a lively appearance
and many evidence, Of Improvement asd
prosperity. The Episcopal and Christian
denominations ere building neat churches
the former being ready for occupancy and
the latter rapidly approaching completion.
We found the mammoth store of Bonesteel
& Turnsr full Of customers, and all hands
busy attending to their wants and in all
the other places of business there were
signs OF activity, and no appearance or com.
plant Of the dull times which usually pre-
vail during harvest time.
AT Choteau Creek we left the stage, and
came to this place. Here everything is top
sy-turvy, preparatory to the removal to the
new site selected by the Indians for their flu
turc abiding place at the mouth of the Rose
bud, A move in the ordinary sense of the
term is regarded as a disaster, and it has be-
come an adage that "three moves equal one
fire." If that ia true, then what must be the
effect where the fitting" represents a fam
lily of seven thousand children, with all
their stock, their tepee gods, their dogs and
their graybacks? We anticipated a lively
scene, a Heterogeneous muss and tumble. But
we are disappointed. The scene, from this
standpoint, is as void of excitement as a
chancery suit, and brings to the officials and
and employees an immense amount of hard,
unpoetic work, which is aggravated and
made doubly hard and disagrecable by the
abominable condition of the roads and the
lack of sufficient transportation. The main
body of Indians went and made no sign.
Like the Arabs, they folded their tents and
silently stole away, and are now about so
miles on the way, The next issue of sup
plies will be made in camp, near where they
now are, and as many of the goods for this
purpose as could be hauled by the wagons
sent up here to perform the contract of re-
moving the Indians and their supplies, left
here this morning. The issue will be made
on Wednesday next, after which the process
sion will move on towards it's destination,
which is about 200 miles distant from this
point.
Maj. Pollock took charge oAhis agency
al critical time in its history. 1t was just
before the arrival of the commission, and
when the Indians were particularly FESTIVE
under the governments delay in carrying
out its promise to provide for their removal,
and when they were in no humor to submit
to a change in agents-whicb they always
regard with aversion-without manifesta-
lions of displeasure and suspicion. But
Maj. Pollock has succeeded beyond the most
sanguinc expectations of his friends. By
indomitable energy and untiring in.
dustry he promptly made himself acquaint-
ed with the minutest details of the bus
mess of the agency, aud by his candid
straightforward manner captured the con-
fdence and respect Of the Indians without
a struggle. He has made no promises
which he has not fulfilled to the letter; and
the Indians have already learned that they
can get from him all they are entitled to
without trouble. but that they can't bull.
doze him worth u cent. This lesson has
also been learned by the bummers and
hangers.on-a species Of white trash, who
hope by marrying a squaw to gain a foot
hold upon the agency and become pension.
ers upon the government. Since Maj. Pol.
locks incumbency here he has expelled two
of this class from the agency. One of them
had tie good judgment to remain away,
but the other returned, and disregarding a
second order to leave, was arrested and con.
fined in the guard house, and to-day he was
sent t, Yapktou for trial before the U. S.
cault on the charge Of being unlawlully in
the Indian county.
Some trouble has been created on this
agency 'y the introduction of liquor which
has found its way into the hands and stom-
achs Of the noble reds. There is a strin.
gent law against this practice which inpc-
ses heavy penalties, but the cupidity of
some men is tempted by the profits which
this traffic affords, and by them it is g oh.
served more in tie breach than 10 the per.
formarcc." To put u stop to this Maj.
Pollnck has issued II peremptory order for
bidding Iii. practice and pledging himself