The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1895-02-28
MONEYED .REDMEN.
Yankton Indisns Who Are weu
Fixed Financially.
Tho Tribo Rocoives Largo Sums OF
Money from tho Governmcnt for
Lands Surrepdered-Condit!o
OF tho Purchase.

The treaty negotiated by tho gov.
crnmcnt with the Ynnlston tribe Of
Sioux Indians renders this tribe one Of
tho most wealthy in the country il
taey exercise ordinary Judgment, says
writer in tho Minneapolis Tribune.
The treaty was completed December
81, 1902, and by its provisions the In
dians will receive 5000, 900 as puymcnt
for the 10000 acres rclinQuishcd to
tho government, and to be opened TO
white settlement whenever President
Cleveland issues n proclamation to that
effect, which will probably net be un-
til next spring. Fiftyone Yanl1ton In.
diuns acted us scouts for Gen. Alfred
Sully in 1864, and for additional COM
pcnsation were by tho treaty granted
S225 each, or total Of s1l, ,i75. This
amount has already been distributed
amcng them. The difficulty now cx-
isting is over the payment Of 100000,
the first payment by the government
for the land surrendered. Tho treaty
says the amount is to be paid and
divided among the Indians par capita.
Tho disbursing officer at the agency
commenced paying the Indians with
checks, as Is customary, and this
caused protest on the part OF the In
tlans. 1t was understood among tho
bankers In tho adjoining towns that
tho checks would be cashcd without
discount, but tho Indians appear not to
relish tho trip which would bo ncces-
sary in going from the agency to any
of the towns. They want the amount
paid IN cash at tho agency. AS She
whim3 Of Indians are usually acccdod
to it is likely that thoy will win their
point.
The remaining $500, 900, placed to tho
credit of tho tribe, will bo payable to
tho Indians at the pleasure Of tho
United States after the expiration Of
twenty-five years. But during the trust
period of twenty-five years, if tho nc.
ccssitics Of the Indians shall require It,,
the United States may pay such part Of
the principal sum rs the secretary OF
tho interior may recommend, but not
exceeding s20, 1000 in any ono year. Upon
the payment of such sum the amount
shall be deducted from the principal
sum in the treasury, and the United
States shall thereafter pay interest on
tho remainder. Not to exceed $4,000
is to DO expended each year for tho
| maintenance Of orphans, the aged and
iniirm, or such other helpless members
of tho tribe as may be unable to take
care Of themselves; and for schools and
educational purposes for the tribe; also
for courts of justice. Each person who
signed the troGty is to receive $40 gold
piece, struck In the year 1902, as a mo-
mortal of the year in which tho treaty
was negotiated. These Indians have
taken their allotmcnts of land Ia
scvcralty, and 1t is the surplus which
is to be opened to settlement. The
treaty provides that where any Indian
cannot cultivate his land or otherwise
use 1t ndvantageously it mny be leased
for one or more years at time. 70
prevent the possibility OF land sharks
securing possession Of the land, NIL
| leases must be approved by the Indian
| agont, by and with the consent of the
| commissioner OF Indian affairs. This
| provision applies alike to both sexes
and to all ages, parents acting for their
children who arc undcr their control,
| and the Indian agent acting for minor
| children who have no guardians.