Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1891-01-30

Indians. That was the estimated
mier of the red race then living
bip what are now the bounds of the
tied States. And so it appears that,
date, the act of dispossessing the
Irigines has cost $1,000 for every
ek. souaw and papoose living on the
when the white man came.
These are round figures, but they are
close to the exact record. Three
RS ago Mr.. Tom Donaldson, who is
in charge of the Indian census,
de careful compilation. He showed
from July 4, 1916, to June 80,
h. the Indians had cost the Govern
BIT 1925, 239, 2S4.02. It is safe to say
the four years added will bring the
Tres up close to one thousand mil
IS. This enormous amount is about
third of what the war of the
elliou cost. One-third of the
thousand millions has been spent in
tying and ciyilizing the Indians.
b.thirds of the one thousand millions
been absorbed in fighting Indians.
hstor Doolittle, of Wisconsin, once
Hated this Indian war business. He
IN the Senate when it was proposed
egotiate peace with the Navajoes.
eral other Senator's demurred to the
OF the proposed treaty. Mr.. Doc.
e told them something about the
OF Indian wars. At the same time
gave some interesting facts about
origin Of these Indian wars.
hat is known as the great Sioux
started in 1852. At that time
|e was perfect peace on the plains.
e Mormons were driving their cat
oward Salt Lake. Near Fort Lar
was a gathering of Indians. The
tary post was there, and the In
we're camped near it. One of the
X killed COW belonging to Nor
The emigrant complained. The
er IN command at the post sent out
bordinate with twenty men. The
force went to the Indian camp,
demanded the surrender of the
\ who had killed the COW. The al
1--we was that the camp would be
upon. The Indians replied to the
Pnd: I'VE are willing to pay for
animal; We will pay you in buffalo
or buffalo SKINS"
e army officer declined. He re-
- his demand for the immediate
'nder. The Indians refused. The
gave the order to fire. The men.
Y obeyed. In twenty minutes
p1olers were killed and scalped.
was the beginning of the Sioux
1897. The war lasted three or
ears: 1t cost the United States
zen Slo, 100000 and $4,000, 900.
Navaloe war was another which
poollttle told about. For many
after this Government acquired
Territory in which the Navajoes
mere was no trouble. One day q
oe Indian was visiting the fort
tne troops We're. He got into o
e. With a negro boy belonging to
the officers. The supposition
pat the negro insulted the Indian.
a1ter drew his bow, and put al ar
70 the negro, killing him. Then
10 MS tribe. The officer sent q
Po Tor the surrender of the Indian,
|ilbe refused to give him up.
ut any delay the troops were
cd outand war was begun. Three
lgns were made against the Nava-
tins proyocation. The United
troops were beaten in each of
Ihls Navajoe war cost the Gov
ut It. nearly s2O,O0O,OOO.
biggest of all recent Indian wars
e one about which, least was pub
1t began in 1862. 1t had its
IN comparatively insignificant
A contractor for furnishing
supplies sent to theSioux agencies
WAS ns supposed to be prime mess
LIE consignment was found to
largely of heads of hogs. The
went back on such rations, and
e war path instead of the souse.
o1bley and Sully conducted the
gn. They had $4,000 troops
them.
2 is record of engagements with
Indians within the military di-
the Missouri from 1868 to 1882.
recapitulation of this record it
that more than 1000 officers
1lers were killed and wounded"
nd A.