Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1884-03-18

Fort Buford, Oak. March 6-The pres.
ent winter has been one Of the severest
experienced in this country for many
years. Snow to the depth OF three and
a half feet has fallen, and but little of it
has yet disappeared. Should the snow
disappear suddenly disastrous foods will
inevitably follow in the valley of the
Missouri, aud it will be the part of Wis.
dom for the dwellers along the turbulent
waters to be prepared for them. Mild
weather must come soon. and it is pre-.
dicted by the weather wise of this region
that We shall have an early opening of
navigation on account of the continuous
cold weather through the winter. Should
any one of your readers entertain the
idea that Buford is embraced in the
banana belt. let him read the following
record of the temperature at this point
for January and February Of this year,
and forever be undeceived:
Average temperature for January.-4
deg; lowest temperature during the
month,-43 deg. Average temperature
for February--l6 1-8 deg. lowest temper.
ature during the month,-44 deg.
The low average Of temperature still
continues, and the exclamation, daily, of
every one is, will the cold weather
never cease" In spite of the severe
winter, however, tho numerous herds of
cattle in the valley of the Yellowstone,
between here and Glendive, have win.
tered we'll. and but slight losses have
been sustained. The cattle men are en-.
couraged and many additional herds will
be brought into the country during the
coming season. Sheep have also win.
tered satisfactorily.
A party Of Indians reached this post q
few days since from Poplar river, on
their way to Standing Rock agency, as
they said, to get something to eat. They
were overtaken. however, by party Of
Indian police sent to arrest them and
convey them back to their agency al
Poplar river. They declined to obey the
orders OF the police, and for time the
prospects, for a fight were most favora.
BILE: They finally agreed to refer the
Fort Bnford. who, by skillful manage.
ment of the affair. induced the Indians
to return peaceably to their agency, with
the , prospect Ct starvation be.
fore them. The situation ct Popla.
river has been steadily growing worse.
| Auo AUAo"Aa8 oA!act uOM AetCol
from there, dated Maroh 4. 1884,
will give to your readers an idea Of the
pitiable condition Of the Indians at that
agency. It presents picture 30 sad and
heartrending that it can not fail to create
the deepest, sympathy for the pool
wretches, and condemn forever the Grim
inal policy of the department charged
with the care of the nations wards:
/ Dor1oe R;vor N6o~nb 1o0A
helped to organize missionary society
here for the purpose Of assisting these
poor suffering Indians. Twelve womer
meet here every Friday afternoon in the
mission school house to cut, At and make
clothes for the Indian women and child
ren, and to assist them in sewing. Al
our last meeting q committee was ap-
pointed to visit the Indians in camp ani
and extend aid to thos,
who are sickand needy. Of course, VI
do all we can for them, but our resources
are 10 limited that we cannot assist al
who are In distress. It is really pitiful
to see them. From six to eight die every
week from starvation, and it seems to mi
that something more must be done te
relieve the sick, at least. Could you
visit them. as I have, during the last
week, it would have made your heart
bleed. such picture OF want and misery
did they present. Cannot the people ol
Butord come to our assistance in rescu.
ing these poor mortals from such an ap.
palllng fate? feel sure you will do all
You can when you know the terrible
suffering these poor creatures are endur
ing. It is impossible to live here and
not heed their piteous cries for aid. Il
you cannot do anything for them will
be obliged to ask the people in the east
for assistance. The white people here
have given them all the spare clothing
they have, yet hundreds of them arc
nearly naked. Scores of them
are sick :. with pneumo-
mia and other diseases, brought on by
exposure, with nothing to eat. The peo.
pie at Forts Custer and Keogh have
done what they could for them. I wait
anxiously to hear from. you. Sincerely
yours. *+*
The above recital needs no. comment
but cries aloud in condemnation oi
the present Indian management
Money has been appr opriated by
congress for the relief OF these
furnishing people, but such are the de.
lays, by reason Of red tape, that it will
probably be months before the needed
relief will reach them. Assistance to the
extent Of the ability Of the charitable
people here has been telegraphed ia
Poplar river To-day, and further efforts
will be made. Cannot the people OF ST
Paul render some assistance?
Att.n.,... rt,.u.,. II