Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-05-25

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THE SIOUX RESERVATION.
many thousands more are moving from
Iowa, Minnesota aud Nebraska. and
away up in the Black Hills companies
are organized and well armed men are
moving to tho western border of the re-
serve 70 get their share Of the 100000
acres.
Observe that it contains $1,000 home.
steads of 100 acres each, exclusive OF
some little corners; that 1t Is nearly all
good land, and that it is in region al
ready state, practically, and it will be
plain that 1t is far better place than
Oklahoma or the much desired Cherokee
strip. Indeed, the men who get located
there this year will have vote for con-
gressmen as soon as they can get their
s'dug outs" dug and their cabins up. and
will choose legislators who will choose
United States senators who will help make
laws for Oklahoma for perhaps quarter
Of century TO come. Nor is this all
The Sioux own some moro land in Da.
kota which they will soon be called on TO
give UP and there will be chances for
further pickings. In fact, it Is well rec
ognized that the slightly civilized Sioux
of Dakota will have to ''move on" and
not stop till they are joined to their
wilder congeners in the Rocky noun.
tains.
The Indians have made firmer stand
ON this reservation, and managed their
part of the negotiation with much more
skill than Is usual with them. They set
= their terms from the start at the govern
ment price, Sl.25 per acre. A year ago
the government offered them fifty cents,
but they laughed it to scorn, Then the
secretary Of the interior tried the old
game OF inviting the chiefs to junket and
powwow at Washington. They enjoyed
the trip immensely. ate what was set be-
fore them-and great deal Of it--drank
freely of the white mans cordial and
went into ecstasies over the theatrical
displays, especially the ballet, but when
1t camo to talking they talked business
Sl.25 per acre they must have, and the
whole sum in one immediate payment.
Secretary Villas was inclined to give the
price, but judged that the immediate
payment of some Sll 100000 to tribe
Of Indians would produce perfect car
nival Of debauchery, and recommended
. comprehensive law, which congress
passed.
By its terms the commissioners are to
use S25. 900 in procuring the assent of
the Sioux Indians" details being
left largely to the commission Tho
price is to be 81 an acre for all land
taken the first three years, rs cents for
that taken the next three, and 80 cents
for all the rest, the government to guar
antee payment for it all within ten
years OF tho money each adult male
Indian is 10 have $50 cash, and each
head OF family or located farmer
certain supply Of tools. seeds and cattle.
For these purposes the law appropriates
eo.00O.000. Thereafter there are to be
schools, physicians, teachers, &C., as is
usual in Indian treaties. Sections 10
and 80 in each township are to be re-
served for school purposes according to
existing laws applicable to Dakota.
There is to be no free land" or home
steading; each settler must pay 81. .25 per
Acre. and this may cool the enthusiasm
little.
The land is nearly all good and easily
accessible. There is no crossing of Indi-
IN lands necessary as in getting into
Oklahoma, and the laws of Dakota will
be in force there as soon as the Indians
vacate. Its opening will add another
100000 to the population of Dakota in a
year or less. and incidentally the first
traders who get there will have good
time getting the $50 from each Indian.
No doubt there will be quite boom in
gimcracks. All the chiefs so far inter-
viewed express willingness to sign at
once, and 80 the work of the commission
viii probably be completed in few
days and bS next Independence day the
.-fush be in full tide.
The topography may be described as a
gentle slope, rising westward and south
westward from the Missouri, with gentle
swells of prairie which rise higher as
enc goes westward till they merge in the
spurs of the Black Hills or form the high
"divides" between the affluents Of the
Missouri-the Cheyenne. White and Nj
obrara rivers. But on the Nebraska line
and along the afiluents of the Niobrara
there is marked exception to the usual
rule on the plains--the high land does
not 'break down" in slopes and plateaus
towards the streams, but often MAIN
tains Its highest level to the very bluffs,
the stream running in deep gulch from
100 to 200 feet below. In such localities
the water question is an important one.
There is very little "alkali land"-none,
n y beiieved-which will not produce
abundantly Of wheat, corn, hay, oats.
stc.. after the second year. A very little
aikAh, however, spoils the land for sor-
ehum, some root crops, melons and ten
der vines till after many years of cult
vation. Beets in such land take on a
bitter, acid taste and the common 'pie
plant" usually called rhubarb in the
\ oaGt) turns into something unpleasantly
y uke burdock. Nearly all kinds of tim
~, however, grow remarkably well on
onch lands
Jhe new community will be well sit
uated for markets. But a little ways
1est u the noted mining region Of the
l1ack Hills, on the eastern border is the
Ntesouri with railroads leading eastward
ond hourishing cities on its banks, and
- Nebraska railroad traverses the val
~ of the Niobrara. There is -
- water power, and tir o.. y ilore
un1ant fkan IN sections further east.