Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-03-22


population of this section, being chiefs
dams located upon the Leech lake reserva-
ton, accompanied by Rev. J. A GiIfillan
missionary at the White Earth |
reservation. Mr.. Gilillan with Mr.. Sibley |
and ex-Gov. Marshall comprise the recent
ly appointed commission to |
examine into and report upon
the question of damages the Leech Lake |
and Winnebagoshish Indians will sustain |
through the construction of the dams or
reservoirs now in progress at the outlet of
Lake Winnebagoshish.
These works will raise the water in front
of the Winnebagoshish reservation about
fourteen feet, and at Leech lake some six
feet, flooding the former so as to render
the greater portion of it uninhabit-
able and compelling the removal
of the Indians, and doing
material damage to the Leech lake reser-
walton. On the first named reservation
there are about 400 Iadians. and on the
latter some 1900.
1t will be remembered thatwhen these
works were arbitrarily ordered by the gov
eminent without reference to the wishes of
the Indians, a commission was appointed
to ascertain and report the damage
sustained by the Indians. This
commission in time made a lump
award of $4,000 to each reservation. The
Indians were very much dissatisfied with
this award, which dissatisfaction was
made known to the Great Father in nu-
merous earnest letters, setting forth the
grounds of complaint, and urging as a
matter of Justice to these helpless wards,
reopening of the matter, the COM
plants ultimately bearing fruit in the ap-
pointment of the new commission as above
mentioned, and the granting of permission
to the delegation IN question 80 visit st.
Paul and present their grievances more in
detail to it.
The delegation IS composed entirely of
Leech lake Indians, the Winnebagoshish
tribe being yet quarantined on account of
smallpox. Unlike the White Earth In
dams, those at Leech lake haYe made COM
paratively little progress toward civiliza-
ton, they still retaining the blanket,
Ileggins and moccasins as articles of dress,
with an occasional article of the white
mans apparel added to make the general
aspect more incongruous and striking.
OF course the appearance of such a delega-
ton at the Merchants, where they have
apartments, attracted great attention,
though to old residents an Indian is not
much of rarity.
The delegation is distin-
guished one among their own
people, being composed of the
head chief, Niganiviness, or Flat Mouth,
who holds the position by right of birth,
handed down through long line of royal
ancestors; five sub-chiefs, four braves, and
James Bonga, an interpreter. Flat Mouth
and most of his associates are middle-aged
mon, tall, thin and muscular built, but two
of the sub-chiefs are rapidly nearing the
! happy hunting grounds. The following
is the roster, as entered upon the register
by Rev. Mr.. Gilfllan:
!, James Bonga, interpreter.
Niganivinsss, head chief.
Managing, chief.
Bay-bassou-wayway, chief.
Osah-we-ge- chief.
Shiv-ge-go-gun, chief.
May way -cum-ig -ish-king, chief.
, Gay -bay-ge-mint, brave.
May -dway-gay me mint, brave.
Joseph Bellanger, mixed blood.
Agin-a-we-gal brave.
About 10 O'Clock the delegation, accom-
panied by Rev. Mr.. Gilillan, called at
Gen. Slbley's Office, where they were met
by that gentleman and Gov. Marshall, but
after a short conference the Indians re-
tired to the hotel to further confer.
In the afternoon another conference wa S
held, at which Flat Mouth, for himself
, and associates, enumerated for
the benefit of the commits
sion, thirty-three different articles
! upon which they wanted damages from the
Great Father. The points enumerated
Will sound little peculiar to white mans
ears, but no one will accuse them of slack
, ing IN shrewdness after examining the
. list.
! The principal items on for the destruc-
, ton of the wild rice, an important food
item, which will be overfowed and de.
stroyed. In this connection there is q
! duck item, which also feed on this rice
( snd will be forced to go elsewhere
, if the rice is destroyed,
:. and thus the Indians viii
| be deprived of their roast ducks. Then
3 there are the fish and the hay meadows
: both important items. Bushes and reeds
; used for mats and roof coverings, are also
/ enumerated. Maple trees and wigvams tc
' be submerged are also set out; their paths
4 around the lake; the graves OF LnSlr anceS'
tors; the red willows and spruce bows used
Q for their canoe frames; herbs and birch
Q bark; clay with which they bake for vessels
1 the house of the muskrat; deer ticks; duck
T eggs; dead falls for bears; the
n sand upon the lake shore used to seoul
their canoes, and last their dogs-vithout
a which no Indian is happy-which by the
: destruction of the fish will lose their prin
8 cipsl article of food.
T The list of damages was so minute an(
d at the same time comprehensive that tn,
o commission decided they would have t.
. visit the locality personally, and the con
o ference broke up with the understanding
d that such visit should be made as soon a
|. the weather became settled.
A GLOBE reporter met the Rev. Mr.. Gil
fillan subsequent to the last conference, AM
% was informed the delegation appeared vel
= pleased with the result of their visit The.
- had, he said, great confidence in bot
u Gen. Sibley and Gov. Marshall, and woul'
W now return to their reservation satisfies
that justice would be done them.
9 In reply to the question, Mr.. Gilfllal
e said that the Indians were very much op
Ii posed to the tcreation of the reservation
% going on, but that the report of contem
'o plafad rasicfapno on error Thav rar