The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-05-04
WILD RUSH FOR LAND.
Opening of the Sisseton Indian
Reservation.
Thousands of Home-seekers Cross
tie Line at the Bugle Signal.

The Sisseton Indian Reservation, in South
Dakota, has been opened to settlement in
accordance with the proclamation made by
President Harrison.
A Dispatch from Ledgerwood, South Da-
Rosa, gives the following description of the
mad rush for the new land: At five minutes
20 noon United States cavalry bugler,
with long yellow plume streaming from
his helmet and brand new bugle sus-
pended from his shoulder by bright vel
low cord. rode to the crest OF the hills
which separate Browns Valley from tie
Eisseson reservation. Scattered along in
m uneven line to the north and south
of him were three companies OF cavalry,
Zach man fully armed with sabre, revolver.
md carbine. Back Of these were grouped.
nr rather herded, a heterogeneous mass or
mep-white, yellow. and black-all national
5ties of the Caucasian race, with . liberal
mixture of half breeds and colored people.
Their were women in the crowd, too,
md here and there could be Seen
q baoy held in the arms OF
tn mother as she sat on her horse, deter
xained to be one of the first to enter the prom
isod land which was to be opened. A splen-
did Kentucky thoroughbred carried man
who had thrown aside everything which
sma impede him in the ride for the reser-
vation. Next to him, on a wiry bronco, was
a half breed who sat his horse as if part of
It Further down the line was big co.ored
man astride diminutlve mule. All were
impatient for the race to begin.
As the sun neared the meridian Major
Bernard glanced as his watch. The ougier
Efted his instrument to his lips, and the
crowd OF land seekers gathered up their re!ns
and awaited the signal. At last Major
Bernard, watch in hand, nodded to the
S1g,er, who began to sound the revenue. AT
the FIRST note there was crack from the
<arb,ne OF the soldier next to him, which
was quickly echoed by one further down the
line. The shots rang out clear IN the crisp
mir. and as the vo.ley ratified down the line
an either side it was answered by the hoof
beats OF hundreds Of horses spurred on by
riders reckless OF life or limb.
A cloud OF alkali dust rose as the motley
army charged for the line OF the reservation,
md soon all that could be seen from the
crest of the ridge was black mass OF
huddled hocsenen closely pursued BY whlrl
of yellowish dust. The man on the Ken
ancky thoroughbre got good start, and
when the lins was reached he was ten
assgths in advaucs Of the next rider,
Aali COWBOY. who rode like centaur, out
Who was at q disadvantage as to his
noun. Behind the two leaders strung out
q long line OF horsemen, men IN ougGles,
others in spring wagons, and others stu IN
hinge prairie schooners, the rear being
Broa.ht up by a man from Pike County,
Mo. whose wife, children and household ef-
iecfs were contained in a Conestoga wagon
drawn by yoke OF oxen. Within half an
Sour the last man and vehicle had vanished
from sight beyond the foothills, and the
soldiers at the word wheeled and returned
10 camp, their duty in opening the reserva-
sion being finished.
There are now fully 5000 settlers on the
suservation. They are pretty well divided
between the northern and eastern borders.
The squatter is monarch of all he sur
vsys; the filer is literally, out OF
sAs running. Governor Mellette had
7s0 deputy sheriffs on the reserve.
heavily armed and instructed to maintain
order. They checked several rows. Wells
are being dug everywhere, and all the squat
sers apparently intend to live on their land.
In a couple Of weeks breaking plows will
Ae at work everywhere. There will be
rood lands open to settlement for weeks, for
NOT half hes yet been taken up.
Ida Burnett, q handsome graduate OF the
University of Minnesota, IS now the posses
sor OF the choicest quarter section about the
town site. Miss Burnett has Indian blood
IN her veins. Behind the fastest team OBJ
tainable she was drawn to the town site from
The sgency.
. The start was made at gunire, and the
girl was first on the field. She straightaway
went to work building her shanty, assisted
Ay her driver.
The Sisseton Indian reservation surplus
3ants Just opened to settlement are located
IN tae northeastern corner OF South Dakota,
covering the most Of Robert County, lap.
uine over on the edge of Mar
ShaH and Oar Counties, crossing
she panhandle of Grant and the sharp
point Of the triangular shaped reservation,
extending down to the centre OF Coddlngton,
q few miles from Watertown. The north
ern base OF the triangle extends over into
argent and Richland Counties in North
Dakota, and for that reason filings may be
source Of the Red River of the North,
which flows ultimately into Hudson's
Bsy: Of the Minnesota River,
and Of the Big Sioux River, which flows
south and joins the Missouri. The lands are
Yich, and numerous lakes covers the entire
sxtent of the reservation, good portion OF
q which Is wooded and of hilly character.
In fact, the character Of the lands reflects
much credit on the Judgment of the Sisse. on
Indians who chose this land as their reward
Tor their help to the settlers in the Indian
var OF 1852. For nearly thirty years thsy
keld the reservation intact, but finally con-
esuded they would prefer to have their lands
h ssveralty and live like whites. Ths In
dams have selected many Of the oest lands
On the reservation, but it is estimated that
suough for about 4OO0 Gains OF 1CO acres
zach still remained up to the time OF open
ing. The reservation is forty-fve miles
across the northern side. and seventy miles
m the southeastern and southwestern
Iidss of the triangle respectively. This
ge0eryation is right in the heart
u wellsettled country, and small
sowns and cities are within easy reach
Il the settler on whatever part OF the reSer-
yation he may make his home. The Great
Northern and Milwaukee railroads run all
around the reservation, while other roaos are
within easy reach, running TO some OF the
many nearby towns.