St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-04-06
The Man Who Gets on the Sis
seton Lands First Will
Triumph.
Very Good Evidences That the
FilepS Will Be Sure to
Be Left.
Two Troops Of the Eighth
Cavalry Now at Browns
Valley.
They Will not Go Out on the
Reservation for a
Few Days.
Special to the Globe.

Special to the Globe
Browns VALLEY, Mimi, April g.
The Fort Yates troops are calnped in
this city and inform your correspondent
that they will not go out on border duty
for several days. In the meantime set
tiers continue to go on the reservation
to view the land. Troops q and F.
Eighth regiment, now here, were pres
ent at the killing of Sitting Bull and are
we'll versed in Indian warfare. The
freedom of the town has been given
them and they are enjoying themselves.
1t is understood no general at
tempt will be made to keep
settlers off the reservation until
about FIVE days prior to the opening.
least two new towns will spring up like
mushrooms. and for some time past
there has been much speculation among
boomers" as to the probable location
of them. The Sisseton Land company,
an organization incorporated under the
laws of South Dakota, with headquar-
tiers i'll Browns Valley, will enter a
townsite Oh the reservation und er the
laws in such cases made and provided.
and the company, being a strong one,
made up of some of the most prominent
men in this section, their
Proposed TOwnsite
is attracting more attention than others.
as it is the general opinion that it will
prove the-best point. More than half
of the land seekers appear anxious and
determined to secure claims adjoining
or near this tOWnSite, and are doing
their utmost 10 ascertain as near as
possible where it will be located, but
their. information thus far is very vague,
as the projectors of the scheme are ex-
tremely close-mouthed. Your cores
pendent has kept pretty close tab on
their movements. however. and feels
on a point within at least half
mile of where the future metropolis
of the reservation will spring up
unless changed by the course Of rail
roads yet to be extended. In town
ship 127. range so. two rivulets
wend their way down the coteaux and
crawl along the lowlands to point
about midway of the east line OF the
township where they unite. Near where
these two forks join is most beautiful
location for the building of a town or
city, and your correspondent is of the
opinion that this is the point held in
view by the SisSeton Land company,
and the persons who manage to secure
and hold down claims in that vicinity
will be fortunate, indeed. This town
site company has made all arrange
ments to have nearly every branch Of
business represented from The start.
The town will he located on the survey
of branch of the Chicago, Milwaukee
& st. Paul railway at point where 1t is
expected that the proposed extension of
the Great Northern from Browns Val
ley will interSect and form junction.
Town 1877. Range so,
is from sixteen to eighteen miles north
west of Browns Valley. and this city is
tie nearest point on the border of the
reserve from which it can be reached,
as glance at any reliable map will
convince. There has been much talk of
late as to the proper steps to take in Sc
curing a claim-whethtr it would be
best to attempt to secure filing fist,
or squat upon the land and begin i'm
provements. 1t is we'll known fact
that for some time past there has been
been issued circular letter purported
to be from the land office at Watertown,
which states that lands of the Sissetop
reservation must first be filed upon be-
fore a settler can attain any rights
thereto, and that filing will hold
against all other claims. Hon. A S.
Crossfield has just returned from a visit
to Watertown, where he met Gen. Har-
Ian, of Washington. d. c.. inspector OF
surveyors general and United States
land offices. In an interview with the
GLOBE representative regarding the
matter, Mr.. Crossield said:
"Gen. Harlan proved to be an old ac-
quaintance of mine, and l was much
pleased to meet him. In fact, he was
just the man l most desired to see,
and, after the usual exchange of greet
ings, the conversation dritted into the
subject of land matters and the opening
of the SiSseton reservation. informed
circular that was being
Sent Out Broadcast
from the Watertown land offices, and
asked his opinion as to its nature. He
at once informed me that the statements
contained in the circular we're mislead-
ing in the extreme aud wholly UNI
authorized, and that he would forthwith
put stop to it,"
what advice did Gen. Harlem give
you, Mr.. Crossfield. regarding settle
ment and fling on the Sisseton lands?'
''He said that if an intending settler
were to make and complete filing on
the land before it was settled upon and
improvements begun by another the
filing would hold good, but that if
claimant were to get on the land and
begin improvements of any kind before
filing had been completed at the land
office by another, the order wonld be
reversed and the settler hold the land
against all corners. In case the filing
and settlement were Simultaneous, the
actual settler will be given the prefer
ence."
Mr.. Crossfeld further added that Gen
Harlan was recognized authority in
land matters, and all intending settlers
will do we'll to heed his advice.
The lands of this reservation will be
opened to settlement at high noon
standard time) on April 10, and at that
hour the land offices at WatertOwn and
Fargo will open their doors to receive
filings. 1t is reliably estimated that
not more than thirty filings an hour
can be received at any land Office, and
in less than two hours from the time of
opening every vacant quarter section
on the reserve can be reached from the
border, and be squatted upon by claim
ants, and improvements begun. 1t will
thus be seen that, during the time re-
auired to receive 100 filings at the land
Office, 1900 settlements can be made.
Those who endeavor to get in line at the
land Office and await their respective
turn to make a filing, will not be in it.
but the fellt W who mounts fleet-footed
broncho, anu carries with him some