Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-11-27
sHIPro AND BLUE SHIELD.
The Romance of Civilization as shown
on the shores of Devils Lake.

Dakota Letter in the Bostoa Journal.
The DEVILS Lake reservation extends
along the Southeastern shore of the lake.
1t is 40 miles long by IA broad. OF the
many Indian farmers in the reservation
Shipto is a shining example. shipto ed
from Minnesota after the outbreak OF 1852
in which he was implicated. Induced by
relative TO attend one Of the Progress
sive Councils, "ShIpto' kept outside, but
listened at the window and heard some
advice Maj. Mclaughlin was giving the
Indians. telling them that it was not so
very difficult to get out few rails and
make a fence. He went home and said
10 his wife, Il believe pll try the white
mans road" That winter he cut 1000
rails. When any Indians came along
where be was at work he hid his AK in
the wood. In 1881, when the Major left
Devils Lake, Shipto, after getting in his
crop OF wheat from 80 acres, had several
sacks more than he needed and gave them
to the poor. Schools had been established
gradually overcoming violent prejudice.
The, girls were guarded from sale for
ponies, guided into wise marriages, and
those who married were established
on claims OF 100 acres, with wagons and
cattle.
On my visit this Summer I saw many of
these homes and others since established.
| saw Shipt0's house and farm also. He
bought himself a self-binder this year for
$3.50, paying part in cash and part in -four.
He had $50 bushels Of wheat and 5S5 Of
oats last year, and will have 1000 bushels
of wheat this year. He had nearly 80
acres under cultivation, and to reward
his industry the agent has built him this
year a good granary. On the whole
agency over 5000 acres are under crops,
with $50 more Of new breaking. They
will house $4,000 bushels of wheat. The
treaty annuities have expired, and tie
only rations now issued are for the sick
and destitute. Every family Is now
cultivating from l to 50 acres, generally
from to %. They have bought and paid
for this year. for themselves, seven self
binders at $3.50 each, two rakers at $50,
three moving machines at $50 and seven
at SIS. The larger machines are usually
bought by clubs OF five or six. They are
paid for by sale of -four and wood on and
off the reservation. They hire a steam
thresher, which saw vigorously at work
turning out "No. l hard" at the rate of 20
bushels to the acre. There is good mill
on the reservation, with four run of stone
and a capacity for twenty five barrels Of
flour.
On one of the prettiest claims on the re-
servation, found young man taking adj
vantage Of rainy day to work inside OF
the house he is plastering. "Blue Shield
is one of our 'rustlers," said the agent.
He hauled his house 8 miles to secure a
! larger farm. and is building one near him
for his mother. He has a granary, and
| has bought new furniture and an ingram
carpet for his house-uuwOnted iuxuries.
| Throwing down his trowel, he came to
speak to me, and asked me to send mes
sage from him to the people in the East.
''Tell them" he said, with appropriate
! gestures, blue Shield says that the In
dians are going up step by step-nOt only
in farming, but in all kinds Of work. in
education. in acknowledgements
And tell them also, if you will, one little
word in praise Of me, Blue Shield,
that am like a beaver; l build my
house of logs, and plaster 1t and store it
with food"