Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-05-30
Leave White Bear.
E&IIs of Weu Secured.

MIR. George Spencer, of this city, returned
home last evening, from hav-
ing concluded an important
negotiation with the Sisseton Agency In
dams on behalf of the Chicago, Milwaukee
& ST. Paul railroad company. General Man
ager Merrill, when recently here, employed
Mr.. Spencer to visit the Sissetons and con-
tract with them for the right OF way across
their reservation for the Hastings & Dakota
western extension. Mr.. Spencer left here
Tuesday evening at 8:15, and on arriving at
Ortonville took the steamer for Browns
Valley, whence he journeyed-with his COM
panion, an attorney for the company-by
carriage to the Agency, where he arrived
about o'clock Wednesday evening. A
council with the Indians was had
next day. After Mr.. Spencer, who
speaks Sioux like native, had fully ex-
planned his mission to the Indians, they de-
bated the matter at length md leisure, first
agreeing that they would consent to let the
road be built and operate across their reser-
walton. Then there was division of opinion.
Some few of the advanced Indians, taking
their cue from Mr.. Spencer's suggestions,
were willing, in consideration of the railroad
other products, and its bringing varie ty of
employment for their young men, that the
company should have the right of way.
The majority, however, were of opinion that
the occasion was one favorable for
real estate boom. AS one of their speak
ers remarked, they had sold enough land to
the whites for five cents an acre, and now
they should charge three dollars an acre.
- kL,0-, oil
Spencer that the c., NJ. & st. P. company
should have the right of way, as proposed,
being about fourteen miles, two hundred
feet wide, and slso the lands needed for nee
essary side tracks, and two or three stations,
in all estimated at about $50 acres, for $1.75
per acre. It was further agreed that the
stations on the reservation, if not brought
less than six miles apart, should be located
as desired by the Indians, and the company
will guarantee to indemnify the Indians
for their stock killed in operating the reads,
and for their property destroyed by fires
communicated by the locomotives. Finally
the Indians agreed that the company might
at once enter upon and occupy the right OF
way for the purpose of grading the roadway.
Next morning MIR. Spencer and his COM
panions returned direct to OrtonviIle, &C
companied by Agent Crissey, from whence
the latter communicated the results of the
council to the secretary of the interior. Some
delay in the Geographic correspondence &C.
CURED, from the interior department being
misinformed as to the existence of the flour
ishing railway and telegraph station else
where known as Ortouville, but
that being overcome, the matter
was brought to a satisfactory conclusion by
the secretary approving the agreements and
giving his consent that the company's con-
tractors should at once begin grading across
the reservation.
In announcing Mr.. Spencer's departure on
| this mission, the GLOBE congratulates man
| ager Merrill on his selection of Mr.. Spencer
to conduct the negotiations-which has
proved, as the GLOBE anticipated, the best
selection that could have beeu made, Mr..
| Spencer's knowledge of the Sioux tongue,
his understanding of the characteristics of
the Indians. and their confidence
in him = altogether made it quite
easy for him to conclude bargain
which is fair and advantageous to
both parties. Major Crissey, the agent, took
an impartial interest in the affair, and ma
terially assisted in its conclusion, though
much pressed for time in consequence of
having had good deal of extra work put
upon him by the department..
Early tomorrow morning the 500 laborers
who have been waiting permission to go on
the reservation will begin throwing dirt all
along that IA miles across the reservation
and the b. & D. will soon be recognized as
something more than branch railway.