Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-12-08

long, as q statement BY Secretary Schurz,
and signed by Commissioner E. A. Hayt,
Of the interior department. that showed us
there was real danger. Of the rascals sue
ceeding, who are scheming for our destruc-
ton, and who care not whether We are ere.
moved" BY the government or by the red
and bloody hands Of the savages they love
30 ~dearly-because through them they hope
to get US out of the way, that they may To-
cate in the best part of the valley the "half.
breed' and other land ecrip with which
their pockets are crammed.
Now I believe very many of your readers
wall be interested to hear the facts on the
settlers side of the question, aud, as q mat
ter OF %justice, l ask you to give US il turn q
chance before the public. In the spring of
1878 q Mr.. Slack and family, and some two
or three other pioneers who knew of this
magnificent valley, learned that the govern.
iment, having acquired title to 1t by treaty
With the Sioux Indians (paying them for II,
I am told. $l00,o00, or $4,000 yearly for
ten years., intended at once to have it sur
veyed and opened for settlement. They,
therefore, came here Immediately, taking
squatters' claims, broke up land. planted
corn, vegetables, etc, aad commenced build
ing q house. The land was surveyed that
hummer. Drifting Goose's village was
some eightmiles on the river below them,
aud the land they were on bad never been
titled, and IN any way specially occupied by
those Indians. Before the settlers corn was
ripe, the Indians came one day, and with
threats drove them from their new home.
They were fortunate to escape with their
lives, and took refuge for the winter nearer
the white settlements. The next thing was
the removal Of these Indians in the fall Of
1873. by the interior department, to the
agency set apart for them on the Missouri
river. Mr.. g. B. Foster. then of Sisseton
agency, Dakota, knowing these facts. and
wishing to settle here, wrote to commits
sioner Hayt OF the interior department on
Jan. 26. 1879, in order to be sure that be
vas right. before making any effort to set
tie upon the LANDS in question. 1t is q re-
msrkable and significant fact that the hon
orable commissioner, in his report published
IN yourissue of July 10, recommending tbs,
the lands be given to the Indians, while Civ
ing a schedule of sl letters and papers con
nected with the business, forgets to mention
Mr.. Fosters letter, and his answer to it.
But . little forgetfulness is SO convenient,
ESPECIALLY if a certain point is to be gained
Tor ones friends. This answer, we think
however, should not be consigned to oblivi
on. So here is an exact copy of it.! The
original is carefully kept ready for inspec
ton when required:
Department of the interior, Office of In,
dian affairs, Washington, Feb. IL. 1879
c. B. Foster. Esq, Sisseton agency, D. T.
Sir:. l am in receipt, by department refer
Iencs, Of your letter dated 26th ultimo, relat
ing to certain white families who have made
settlements on the James river in Dakota
and were driven therefrom BY the Chic
Drifting Goose and his band, about a yeal
aimee; and have to advise you that, under
Instructions from this Office, these Indian
have been removed from the James river Il
their agency, "Crow creek" and are com
mencinxa settlement on their reservation
The agent reports that they have no desire
nor will they be permitted. to return to tn,
james river. Very respectfully,
E. A. HAYT,
Commissioner.
Mr., Foster showed this letter to hi
friends, and with some Of them very earl,
last spring anne into the valley and located
valuable claims, including q large BODY o
timber, right at Drifting Goose's' ole
camp: Anew empty, leaky log huts, will
dirt floors and roofs, stood. there. These he
ing on the claims taken, and supposine the
title to be then in the government. were oc
cuPled until something better could be built
gther settlers came in rapidly! Fears o
Indian troubles, and questions ssto the RICH
Of white men to settle there, were met anc
. get q rest by the above letter from Commits
s1oner Hayt. All was hope and prosperity
The lands were formally opened for settle
ment by the government. The settlers pail
10 the necessary moneys,ssand obtained thei
, nrst papers from the government land ofc,
for this district, at Springfield, Dakota
linen came 9 report that the Indians wer
TO &c allowed to come back. the land takel
from usaand given to them. Shortly after
band Of some seventy-ive Indians appeare,
at their; old camp. Nine tepees were set
4 around the cabins in which the four OF fy
!. White men hohad claims there were livinQ
q d settlers were scattered along the rive
on their claims four or Eve miles apart, an,
nottn'a condition to meet the savages il the
broke out on US. Very many had no We.
= pons at oil for defense. and some left th
y valley, giving up their claims. One or tw
q had arms visited the old camp daily, Will
Z the Indian remained, 70 show them tn,
their prey was otaltogether helpless. Fore
u a! an Indian understand, or respects.
"a The Indians were Acknowledgements
ns the whites to stop work and leave, and tai
j ing possession. even, Of the lands Just plo,
i: ca snd planted by the whites. The settle
II could not leave their stock, household good
w .nd farming implements to combine for d
Ts tense without risk Of losing everything.
courier was sent to Fort sisseton for soidie,
q returned without them. A second =
sent, M a few soldiers came down: nj
officer held q talk with the Indians, Al
Mt they finally left. We hoped they Won
not again be permitted to return, and We
4 on building our houses, blowing for ne
years crops, and working early and late
1.-THE improvement and development Of o