Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-07-17
THE TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY,
1t Was On the 18th Of July, 1859,
that tho Fankton Sioux Folded
their Tepees and Went
West.
James e. witherspoen, Ono Of the Sur.
vivors OF that Eventful Day, Gives
tho Details of the Exodus.

eVeut lupOEldut W x0uAtOu NJ Tue U6kiu'
ming OF the history of ito towAsite as the
property Of white men. By the terms Of a
treaty made with the Yankton Sioux In
dians on the 10th day of April, 1855. and
ratified by the senate on the 18th day Of
February, 1859, those Indians relinquished
all claim to lands west of the Big Sioux
river. except their present reservation OF
four hundred thousand acres, lying above
Choteau creek. At this time Yankton was
an important Indian center, being the head
quarters of the head chief of tho Yanktons'
Strike ethel Rec. These are the circumstan-
ces which resulted in the cession of this
domain and the retirement of the Indians
to their reservation.
This morning We were reminded BY
James E. Witherspoon, who was here at
the time and witnessed the exodus. that to-
day is the twentieth anniversary of the de-
parture of Strike the-Ree's subjects. With.
erspoon says that for a month previous to
the 18th day of July, 1859, the Indians had
been concentrating at this point. They
came in from Big Sioux Point, from Yer
million, from Smutty Bear bottom and
from various other smaller camps strung
along the Missouri from seven miles above
Yankton to the mouth of the Big Sioux
They numbered about three thousand, men
women and children. Their camp was in
the form of q circle, the teepes being placed
around the base Of the bluff range west and
north of town and extending thence tow
ards the Missouri about where
Capital street now runs and up the Missouri
to the place of beginning at the foot of the
hill where Judge Shannon's residence now
stands. The Rhine ran through their camp
and furnished the Indian host with an un.
telling supply of the beverage which cheers
but does not make drunk. Witherspoon
says the sight was an interesting one, rem
dered doubly go to him because he had his
eye on a quarter section in the west part Of
the Indian encampment, which he was ready
to pounce upon as soon as the red mans lug.
gage was moved therefrom. The exodus
had a charm for him which a disinterested
spectator might not have enjoyed. Shortly
before their departure a band of thirty.six
painted warriors rode about the circle of
teepes, giving vent to vigorous whoops and
INDUCING in pantomimine which probably
contained something of Importance to In
dians, not revealed to our informant. Then
some cd squaws proceeded to the top of the
hill where DR.. Potter's residence now stands
where a couple of dead Indians were laid
away on scaffolds. The final mourning scenes
we're there INDUCED in by the venerable
danes and the remains we're taken down
, and buried.
On the morning of the 18th the Indian
teepes were taken down and dashed to
travoix poles and the cavalcade took up its
line of march over the western hill towards
their new home. 1t was nearly night when
the rear guard disappeared and the few
white men left upon the TOWNSHIP of Yank-
ton were the monarchs of all they could
squat upon. Witherspoon says his first
proceeding was to secure his %favorite quar-
ter section, which he held to until it was
cut up into the lots, streets and alleys of a
prosperous portion of the city of Yankton.
He still owns a valuable portion Of his
claim and is every day growing richer
from the proceeds of judicious sales. On
the day of the exodus a few other white
men were here. Witherapoon recalls the
names of Frank Chapel, George Fisk,
Enos Stutsman and Major Lyman. Major
Stone was at the James river and Major
Hanson was or the opposite side of the
Missouri watching and waiting until the
last red man was we'll out of the way. Then
he came over and selected his possessions.
J. B. S. Todd was also largely interested in
"claims" in this locality, but Mr.. w. thinks
he was not on the ground the day the In
dams left. These are the circumstances
connected with the exodus of twenty years
ago to-day.
Come to the concert and tableaux Friday
night. You will surely enjoy yourself at
the Universalists new hall. Admission Is
cents, tickets for sale at postofice news
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