The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1890-02-20
CAUSED EXCITEMENT.
Reported Abandonment of Lands al
Lower Brule by the Indians.

Reported Abandonment of Lands at
Lower Brule by the Indians.
CHAMBERLAIN, s. D., Special Telegram,
considerable excitement was
caused to-day by a report that the Indians
occupying the land at Lower Brule, sought
by the town siters, had concluded to aban-
don the land as result of a proposition
made them by the town siters. If the report
is true as it undoubtedly is, coming from
source considered absolutely reliable, it
will simplify matters somewhat and
probably result in a continuance of work
on the part of the town siters. There is
considerable apprehension, however, as to
the position the interior department will
take in cases where certificates have been is
sued the Indians for lands now occupied by
them under the seyeralty act, as to whether
the certificates could now be cancelled or
not Many buildings belonging to the town
siters are still upon the ground, and the
troops stationed on the ground have not as
vet resorted to the extreme of removing
or DESTROYING them. If the proposition of
the Indians is accepted it will still leave the
matter in decidedly complicated condi-
ton. as there are many conflicting interests
between the boomers occupying the ground,
and great deal of confidence would have
to be reposed in the Indians, as by the
Sioux bill
THE INDIANS COULD RETURN
and demand the land any time before the
expiration of a year. The Milwaukee Rail-
road company has taken action in regard
to preventing settlement on the lands
granted it by the Sioux bill which
had previously been treated for by
the company with the Indians,
which will have the effect of removing
again those settlers at Lower Brule, who on
Saturday moved their buildings on the
company's ground in order to avoid the
troops. 1t does not affect the settlers at
Lower Brule, however, so deeply as it does
those persons on the tract on the east side
of the river Immediately adjoining Cham-
berlain ont the north. Here large number
of people settled in 1885, when thrown
open to settlement by President Ar
thur, and they have since re-
manned there and in many instances
established and built up large and comfort
able homes, expecting to take advantage oil
the town site act, which allows each settler
q two-acre tract. They were unable, how
ever, to secure a filing. as the land was inn
mediately withdrawn from the market by
President Cleveland. The settlers claim to
have strong case, and many state
to your correspondent that they will
at least remain upon the land until
reimbursed for their trouble and outlay,
which was guaranteed them by Che Sioux
bill but regarding which no action has aS
yet been taken by the department. Settle
ment on the lands west of the river goes
steadily on, there being no dlninution in
the number to-day over previous days. The
crossing has again become perfectly secure
the past few days being rather cold the ict
bridge in the Missouri has frozen firm.
INDIANS CANNOT SELL.
MITCHELL, s. d., Special TELEGRAM
Col. John HI. King and II. NJ. Goodv
koontz are in the city, en- route to Cham
berlain from Washington, where they have
been for several weeks working for tho
| opening of the reservation. Goodykoonti
said there could be no doubt thai
the settlers, townsiters and all other.
| on the river front either abov,
| or below Chamberlain would have to va.
| cate. That land belonged to Indians, an6
the government would protect them in theil
right. Col King and himself had beer
| given positively to understand that befor,
| leaving Washington by the department o
| the interior. The talk about Indians sell
/ ing their rights in the land was nonsense
| They couldnot do that for the next twenty
| five years, even ii they should want to
/ Goodykoontz and King are accompanied
| by Capt Henry Wahlv, of the interior de
partnent, who is sent out by Commissions
| Graft to open up the new land office a
/ Chamberlain.