McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1885-05-07
DETERMINED ON STAYING.
Settlers on the Winnebago Reservation Med
and Pass Resolutions.

SetUeTS on Nc WtnncOQyO fieScrcuttou Meoe
and Pass Resolutions.
Fort Pierre Dakota) dispatch: Evidently
the settlers of the Winnebago and Crow Creek
reservations do not intend to move off of the
land, as President Cleveland advised them to
do, but intend to fight in the courts for what
few rights they have. A largely attended
meeting was held in Pierre on the evening of
the Goth, and the ''Winnebago Settlers Rights
association" organized with the following Off
GERS: John Sutherland. president; A. Z.
Dewey, secretary; R. E. Gregory, correspond
ing secretary. Many prominent speakers adj
dressed the meeting, and the following consti-
tuition was adopted:
ARTICLE l. This association shall be enti-
tied the "Winnebago Settlers Rights associa-
ton"
ART. II. It's object shall be to determine
upon and make use of all lawful measures to
secure to settlers on the old Winnebago and
Crow Creek reservations the rights they ac
ouired under the proclamation of President
Arthur, opening these lands; or, in case of
failure in this, to obtain redress if possible.
ART. III. Membership in this association
may be acquire by signing these articles of
agreement and paying an initiation fee of
$l.00.
ART. ~ The business of this association
shall be entrusted to an executive committee
of seven, to be elected by the members.
ART. V. The officers of the association shall
consist of president, secretary and treasurer,
which shall be elected by the members.
An executive committee was appointed to
draft an address to the Settlers which address
is as follows:
To the Settlers Of the Vi,snebago and Cro,o Greek
Reservations:
In view of the recent proclamation of the
president Of the United States revoking the
prior proclamation of President Arthur. under
which we have in good faith made our homes
on the public lands formerly comprised in the
Winnet ago and Crow Creek reservations, by
which of the recent proclamation of the presi-
dent we are ordered to abandon our homes,
land and growing crops to the handful OF saw
ages at Fit. Thompson: We, the settlers of the
reservation contiguous to Pierre held mass
meeting, and by this our executive committee,
send you this address. First, we admonish
you to remain on your claims as we have firm
~ determined to stand for and defend our
rights as citizens OF the United States,
with all the means in our power, to
maintain the possession Of our land by
every legal method. We have formed our
selves into an association to be called ''The
Winnebago and Crow Creek Settlers Rights
Association" and have adopted constitution
and elected officers. Our organization con-
templates auxiliary associations all over the
reservation; therefore, we ask you to hold
meetings on Saturday April 25th, at Canning
Blunt, Highmore, Mitchell, Chamberlain, Har-
rold, Kimball, PlankingtOn and other interest
ed places. Hold these meetings at 3 p. m. and
organize yourselves into auxiliary societies,
elccting officers and one member of the eXecu-
tive committee for each society. meeting
of the executive committee so chosen is here
by called to meet at Pierre on the seconf' >day
Of May, proX., at 10 a. m. We believe W.;
rights that can be defended both befo-v--&
courts and the public opinion OF the natienS
III, 70 Jnl orb -
the president without a struggle, and we call
On all friends and all settlers on these lands to
co operate with us to this end. We need
friends and ask contributions, and each soci-
ETY. formed shall collect and forward to E. B.
Palmer, treasurer of Hughes county, who has
been chosen treasurer of the association, one
dollar for each member or settler. Let US
stand together for our rights, for our property,
for our homes. We went upon these lands
under the most solemn sanction of the law
and by virtue of the express invitation of the
Ehief executive of this great nation; we have
dug and delved, we have plowed, and planted,
and built; we have fully complied with the
law on our part, and now the chief officer of
the nation, making US no recOmpense, COM
nands u.s. like band of felons to abandon
our homer, to forsake the growing crops we
nave planted against the needs of another win
ter. If this is Ireland and we the down-trod-
len tenantry, let us know it. If it is Russia,
Ind we are serfs or Israelites, let US know
ihat. If it is America, and there is law to
prohibit this outrage, let us invoke it and
make the conflict to the end Remain on your
ands; we will report to you any progress that
We make, and should it unhappily happen that
here is no redress for the wrong contempla-
ed, we will let you know that fact as soon as
t appears.
BY order of the executive committee.
JOHN SUTHERLAND,
II. E. DEWEY, President
Secretary.