Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1881-10-28
THE UPPER YELLOWSTONE VALLEY.
st. Paul Globe, Oct. 23.

81. Paul Globe, oct. -.
Mr.. II. J. Dukes, locating agent of the
Northern Pacific, arrived here from his
summer field of labor last evening. He
has been out since June last, and in
the meantime las located the Northern
Pacific line from Coulson, about sixty
five miles from Miles City, to Saltwater
crossing, about sixty miles above Coul-
son. At Saltwater crossing the road will
enter upon the Grow reservation, and
legislation by congress will probably be
necessary to enable the company to con-
tinue its location westward. The rela-
tions of Mr.. Dukes and his party with
the Crows have been quite friendly, and
he does not anticipate any opposition
on their part to the location or building
But it's coming neverthe'
less, is the occasion for
serious forebodings among the Indians.
They have had some experiences with
border rufians, horse thieves and muir.
derers, TO whom Indian rights of prop
erty and life are matters of brutal in.
difference, and they fear the railroad will
bring more of such men to make their
young men enemies of the whites, which
will bring on wars and end in the exter-
mination Of their tribe. Just before
leaving the country Mr.. Dukes had an
interview with Medicine Grow, princi-
pal chief, in the presence of Mr.. Barston,
the acting agentRin absence of Agent
Kelly) DIR. Willard. the agency physi-
clan and Interpreter Brevort. Medicine
Bottle, when he came to the talk had a
downcast air, beftting man of prophet
ic mind anticipating misfortune to his
people. What he said was, II like YOU
all well. But there are bad white men
and my heart is on the ground. l can
not control my young men," The Crows
are warlike people. They are well
armed and we'll mounted, and, though
friendly to the government and all
whites whom they can recognize as
friends. are jealous of their rights and
will defend them to the last. It would
be good thug for the border if oil the
white thieves and murderers could be
separated from those who will go to tina
country for legitimate purposes and til,
Indians be let loose on them. AS tina
cannot be it will be necessary for th,
government to take thorough measure.
for protection of the Indians against bac
) white men and for protection of limo
cent whites against incensed Indians.
MIR. Dukes is favorably impressed wit
: thu upper Yellowstone country, as far a
: he has explored it. It has o rich sol
and though rather dry as to rains, can b
. abundantly irrigated from the numerou
streams, nearly all running pure, swee
:, water. Alkali water and soil is rarel
u met with. Grain and vegetables gro
# splendldly. The squaw men, (whitt
d living with Indian women), who are tt
agriculturists of this region, have raise
S,,o ~k-t> -,
d with marvellous yields.
+ When Mr. Dukes came down the Ye
\. lowstone last week he found the Mort
. ern Pacific track layers well along
< Powder river, which he supposes th,
have reached by this time.
n He will remain in st. Paul most of Il
!. winter, making his headquarters wit
Capt. Merrick in the Davidson bloc
but expects to the upper Yellowstol
n next spring to make his home and fo
er tune there.