Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-09-21
a TRIP TO
FORT THOMPSON.
Fauston, Oak, Sept. ~, is

Ihe expedition planned by School Sui
perintendent Binford to visit Crow||
Creek Reservation, met at his residencel
in Pleasant township on the mornlngl
Of the 9Th and started ats p. m. Three \
loads from Viola township consisting
of members Of the families Of ex.cuma
missioner Wilson. Bywater, Burnet
and Cough, Mrs. Allyn and children Of
Crow Lake, Mrs. Smith and daughter
of Harmony township and Mr.. and Mrs.
Olds of New Hampton, Iowa. At Wa
terbury the expedition was joined by
Mesdames Kreitzer and Richardson.
Misses Hopkins and Gerber and Mr..
Lehmer.
After drive of about sixteen miles
the party stopped for dinner at what
we were Informed would be the last
water for our horses for nine miles.
After crossing this dry country, as dry
and brown dis in November, we struck
beautiful camping place On the banks
OF ELM Creek, where we were Joined by
Messrs Hyde and Holmes of Hand Co,
MIR. Robinson and family. Mrs. Fox
and children and Mr.. Wicks with the
Misses Hanebrth Of Logan township
We were visited in the evening by a
number of squaws, pappoGses and dogs.
After Il quiet and restful nights
sleep and hearty breakfast, we struck
tents and were again on the move.
After lively drive of about four
hours. we reached the Agency and
went into camp about one-fonrth mile
south OF the Government buildings, in
the most delightful grove bf box-elders
| ever saw, on the banks of the long
looked for Missouri, big Muddy
During the afternoon and evening
we were joined by two wagon-loads
from Blaine and one from Logan. We
visited the various points of interest
including the tiltll, blacksmith shop,
carpenter and tin shops, traders store,
school buildings, and lastly the parlor
OF Mrs. Fuller. the estimable wife of
the boss carpenter, to whom weare un-
der many obligations for the informa-
tion which she gave us il regard to the
Indians and their handiWork, and the
courteous treatment we received at
her hands. The school is industrial in
character; besides the three teachers
in the common branches, they have a
cook and seamstress to make house
keepers OF the girls, while the boys are
taught trades in the various shops.
The schools were not in session 30
we saw but few of the Indians at work.
A few of the Indians have turned far
mers in /. small way, generally cultiva-
ting four or five acres. They are fur
nished with every thing they need in
the way of seed, machinery, tools and
even good frame houses, but they gen
orally refuse to live IN them and live
III their log cabins and tepees,
Saturday being butchering day for
the Indians, Mr.. "Lo'' with squaw and
pappoose turned outin full force and
their sebees were to be seen in all di-
rectiops on Friday afternoon. During
the afternoon a matched game ct base
ball was played between picked up
nine from our party and the Indian
nine, bit for want of time the game
was not played out, the whites being
one tally ahead.
Friday evening mcst of our party
attended divine service, conducted in
the Dakota language. at the mission
church presided over by Rev. Burt,
who is a very fine appearing. gentle
man. Quite q number of our party
went UP on the hills to the Indian
dance, but the. Indians not being in
good spirits On account of disagree
ments among themselves in regard to
signing the treaty, there was no dance.
They were too cross. Our way to the
dance house on the hills, was perilous
and beset with many dangers for after
getting about two-thirds of the way
up, one OF our horses, being tired Of
pulling so far and so hard, stopped and
oh, how the ladies screamed! Ii the
Indians heard them they must have
thought there was Il War-dance among
the whites. After an eventful evening
we all arrived in camp little after
ten, and soon every thing was quiet
and orderly except that George was a
little tardy.
Some resolved to rise very early Sat
urday morning say $3.50 IA. IN. and 9th
ers said they wouldn't and they didn't,
but the one who wouldn't was the one
to sound, reveille. In due time the
butcheripg took place but after what
we saw no one seemed to be hungry
for beef. After Il short call,l on Rev.
Bhrt, we. started On our ,homeward
Journey, which we accomplished in due
time. Our party censisted OF sixty-tive
persons. We think all will agree that
we had very enjoyable time and hope
10 repeat the "pleaenre exertion" next
'ear