Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1880-01-21

location of these Indians, the particular
township which they occupy, or may ~.
qulre. defining the boundaries OF the same
explicitly, and forward q Recommendation
UT, - suggeated. you deem It proper) that
the prestdent may be requested to Get apart
the land 90 defined, by an executive order,
90 Q reservation for their benefit"
Very respectfully,
r A. HAYT,
Commissioners.
Fort sisseton, D. T., Nov. Is, 1885,
Zen. III. q. Slhley, St. Paul, Mimi. SIR
some weeks ago, / visited officially "Drft-
ting Goose" band Of Indians, situated on
the James river about sixty miles southwest
of this post.
While at his village he requested me to
use my influence in behalf of his tribe,
which l promised to do. I, however, have
been at a1loss to know how to proceed, but,
in thinking the matter over, / remembered
having seen an article in some paper in
which you spoke Of this tribe, and, believ-
ing that you might become further inter-
ested in their welfare, I determined to write
You on the subject and ask you to do what
you can for them.
Drifting Goose" stated that his people
have occupied for nearly thirty years the
land on which they are now living.
Some years ago they were induced to go
to the Crow creek agency and reside there,
but, becoming dissatisfied with the manage.
ment of affairs there, they returned to their
homes on the James river, determined to
cultivate the land and support themselves.
When they left the Crow creek agency they
we're in q destitute condition, and with but
little help from the government, or from
any other source, they have erected a num-
Der of rude but comfortable houses, and
have q number more in course of construc-
ton. They are c~ultivating land, and this
year have raised corn enough to keep them
through the winter. They have quite a lot
OF horses, and a few cattle-a portion of
the latter they use for work on their
farms.
Taking into consideration the difficulties
under which they have labored, their lack
of knowledge Of the art Of farming, the few
implements at their command, their want
of seed, &C., &C.. l think their progress las
been remarkable. From a long residence
at this point, they have become attached to
their homes. and desire to remain
there. Some time during the past summer
a few white men went to the vicinity of
their homes, staked out claims, and inform
ed the Indians that they intended to occupy
the land, and that they, the Indians, would
have to leave.
The Indians were very much excited
about the matter and very naturally 80, as
they feared that their homes would be
taken away from them. They showed me
some of the stakes which were on land &C.
tually occupied by them. They implored
to do ali in my power to have arrange.
ments made go they would be allowed to
remain there.
When I first heard of this matter 1
they ought to be sent to their
agency, but since visiting them l have
tate to say that l think it would be a great
outrage, to remove them. By their own
labor they are building up homes, fencing
and culivating land, raising stock, and are
almost self:supporting 1 am informed
a number of whites expect
60 to these lands as soon
as spring opens. Should this be
the case. l fear there will be trouble, and to
prevent It think it would be we'll to set
apart say five or tel miles square, as a res
ervation for these people and allow them to
live there. While they have made remark
0OuO PAOkACoo1 ~ NhuuOG W uCulEU ludb lDcS
are very poor, aud need help in the shape
farming implements, clothing and rations.
[ feel satisfied that If a few Thousand dollars
we're expended In this way, that in a year or
they would be self supporting and pros
porous. Certainly humanity demands that
be rendered them. There are
ut leo of these people who have nothing
to i've on the during coming winter, except
corn The children are without shoes and
with hardly sufficient clothing to cover them.
aFfordiDg them little or no protection against
The extreme cold weather; in fact, | might
say this is the condition of the whole tribe,
and unless something is done they must sut-
fer untold hardship. They cannot procure
and furs from which to make CLOTH
ing. l believe these Indians have always
been friendly to the whites, and during the
terrible massacre in Minnesota, I am told
rendered valuable service to the gov
eminent. which is a strong argument in
their favor. l believe they are as much en-.
Titled to assistance as any Indians in the
territory. They request that if supplies be
sent them, that they be delivered at Sisse-
ton agency, at which point they can get
Them much easier than if delivered
at Crow creek. l hope you will not over.
look the main object of this letter. l desire
to impress upon you their love for their
no mes and their great desire to re-
main there. 1 cannot see anv good reason
Why they should moi. Certainly they are
Is much entitled to their lands as any white
'ettlers who may 60 there. By giving the
your attention, you will at least re.
the grateful thanks of these poor peo.
lie. Very respectfully, your obedient
I'M. BURNS, LIST Lieut., 17.h Infy.
Enforcement by General II. Il. Si6ley:
ST. Paul, MIMI, Nov. 20, 1S78.-This
communication is respectfully forwarded to
he Hon. Carl Schurz, secretary of the in
erior, with an earnest request that he will
i've it a favorable consideration. He will
loubtless recall to mind the fact that | have
lready presented the case to him, as an
x~ceptionably meritorious one, and ask that
be Indians in question be protected in pos
,ssion Of the land, which they have pos
essed and partially cultivated for go many
ears, also that the heads of families be
wen the benefit of the homestead laws, iii
OF inconsistent with their provisions.
HENRY H. S1BLEY.
To this lettar Of the commissions ond |