The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-05-08
THE LANDS.
A Proclamation by Gov. Pierce Distribu
cd Among the Settlers.

PROCLAMATION oy GOV. Pierce Distribute
cd Among the Settlers.
Adispatch from Chamberlain says: Attor-
ney General Rice is distributing copies of the
following proclamation among the settlers on
the Winnebago and Grow Creek reservations
The president has deemed it necessary to re-
yoke the executive order of Feb. 81, 1885, OPEN
ing the above reservations to settlement. This
action is plainly inspired by the single purpose
OF maintaining what ID regarded as the plighted
faith OF tho government and keeping ~inviolate
the sacred terms Of a treaty.
l reailze the hardships to settlers involved
in this order, and l am snre the president is
not oblivious to or nnmindful of them. But it
has been issued under what seemed to the gov
eminent a necessity, and it should be quietly
and peaceably obeyed. Considerations Of
good citizenship, and considerations of self
interest favor such action.
The president and congress will not neglect
to see justice done to those who have gone on
these lands under color Of right, and who sac
rifice their property and yield what they ha We
gained IN order to obey the command of the
executive.
OF law and order, and for the sake of the set
tiers themselves, that the proclamation of the
president will be obeyed without compelling a
resort to any show Of force whatever. Nothing
can be gained; much can be lost by q failure to
voluntarily comply with the order.
l suggest, also, that measures of some kind
be taken by the settlers to preserve proof of
their respective claims. If books be opened
IN each settlement, and a record be made of
the facts in each case, describing lands Set
tied upon, buildings erected and expense in
Cured, it may prove of much convenience and
possibly facilitate a settlement of claims,
should the government consider it proper to
recognize and make provisions for them.
To assist in devising some method by which
this can be done, the attorney general of the
territory will visit the reservations and will
aid the settlers in any manner possible by his
counsel and advice.
GILBERT A. PIERCE, Governor.
The Attorney General was questioned and
said: l would not place the number of claim
ants ut less than two thousand, probably rep
rescnting about three to a family or six thous-
and in all actual settlers. / have found no
evidence that there are any spectators tigur-
found men holding claims that have their
homes in town, az is common when business
men go out and take claims. Men who have
families there are actually residing
on the claims with them. That they
have endured great hardships is certain.
They show all the evidence of pioneers and
hard work, evidently trying to get a home of
their own. Most of them are breaking and
seeding. This portion of Dakota is settled
thicker than most new countries probably from
the reasons that it is close to q railroad and
towns, aud the fact that tree claims cannot be
filed and there is no way to get rights to the
land except by actual settlement, Spectators
have been efectually barred out, there being
no way of filing or making bogus entries
by land sharps. There seems to be a set
tier on every quarter section of desirable land.
passed through the five townships occupied
by the Indians, and still left to them. The
land for the Indians is as good as any / have
seen in Dakota. There only about LOO In
dams, including woman and children, and
large tracts of many sections together are I'M
occupied; They could Craze 10000 head of
cattle if they had them. 1 have heard of no
trouble between the whites and the Indians.
/! have no proclamation from the governor,
but l have an address from him to
the settlers, advising them to peaceably
obey the order of the president and advising
them to form local organizations for
the purpose of making records of their i'm
proyements and the land they have located
upon, with the objec: of preserving evidence
Of their rights and the damages sustained.
Should congress in the future grant them re-
lief of any kind, it can be used. / do not find
any disposition to resist the authorities by
force, but an homes. determination to use all
legal means to protect their rights, and they
are bona fide settlers. The governor feels q
deep interest in the matter and is anxious to
render the settlers any assistance in his power.