The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1890-02-21
CAUSED EXCITEMENT.
Reported Abandonment Of Lands at
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 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 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 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 severalty 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
yet resorted to the extreme of removing
or DESTROYING them. If the proposition of
the Indians is accepted it will still leave the
matter in a decidedly complicated condi-
ton, as there are many conflicting Interests
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 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
fhnco cofflo of Rrv,1o xx,bn
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 OH the east side
of the river Immediately adjoining Cham
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 of
the town site act, which allows each settler
a two-acre tract. They were unable, how
mediately withdrawn from the market by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 tor their trouble and outlay,
which was guaranteed them by the 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 dininution in
the number to-day over previous days. The
crossing has again become perfectly secure
the past few days being rather cold the ice
bridge in the Missouri has frozen firm.
INDIANS CANNOT SELL.
MITCHELL, 8. D., Special Telegram
Col. John H. King and F. NJ. Goody-
koontz are in the city, en- route to Cham
berlain from Washington, where they have
been for several weeks working for the
opening of the reservation. Goodykoontz
said there could be no doubt that
the settlers, townsiters and all others
on the river front either above
or below Chamberlain would have to va
cate. That land belonged to Indians, and
the government would protect them in their
right. Col. King and himself had been
given positively to understand that before
leaving Washington by the department of
the interior. The talk about Indians SELL
ing their rights in the land was nonsense.