The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-10-30

]. Is to BE Nearly Seventy Miles LonG-Its
Purpose Is 10 Keep Out Cattle.

10 Ab Nv ID -NG"At ONGhN III
Purpose Is 10 Keep Out Cattle.
O~HAMBERLA1S. s. D.. Oct. 23.-Tle mammoth
Government fence along the entire northern
border of the Pine Ridge Indian reservation.
which has been projected for several years, is
finally being constructed. and will be COM
pleted in a few days. Tho fence is one of the
longest in the West. having a total length Of
nearly seventy miles. Before the construc-
ton of the fence the reservation and the
coded lands wers divided only by the
White River. which, when frozen in winter.
formed no effective barrier against the
invasion OF cattle belonging to white stock
men. They drilted with billiards. to the
reservation. This resulted in friction
between some of the Indians aud the cattle
men. Only last year nearly 900 head of cattle
belonging to members of the Western South
Dakota Stock Growers Association were found
on the reservation, where storms had driven
them. They were seized by the Indians and
held to enforce the payment OF 81 a head for
their care during the interval pending their
voluntary removal by the owners. The SER
vices OF South Dakota's Congress delegation in
Washington were required to secure the re-
lease OF the cattle without the necessity of pay
ing the amount demanded by the Indians.
Since then the friction between the cattle
men and the comparative handful OF Sioux
who were disposed 10 make them all the
trouble they could reached an acute stage.
and the construction OF the fence was finally
determined upon. At one time. since this
course wps decided upon by the Commissioner
OF IndianA ffairs, it was believed seriously that
a faction OF Sioux at Pine Ridge agency. led ny
the celebrated chief. Red Cloud. who was OPP
posed TO the building OF the fence, would resort
to force to prevent its construction, and the
Washington authorities even went 80 far as to
intimate that United States troops would be
detailed tolcs to protect %sG ne Hovs eSntrai iRis and and
ment eontented ITSELF with holding a
indian Comimisstcnsr and selecting a repre- aHe
sentative. to go 10, Washington to lay their OBJ
]jsfesions f before o,. .he G psisct'nn indian dian ffSSm nt lis
money to be used in the erection Of the fence.
WHICH cost about 500 mile, vas taken from
the United States Treasury at Washington.
which money was intended by, Congress for
educational purposes only; and thnt e put it to
and their treaty rights. They further said that
they were on good terms with the whites. and
revenReful spirit OF the band of seltishcreatures
within our borders.
United States Indian Agent CIapp of the Pine
yerelydenonnced for favorinG, the erection Of
there were nearly .. million head Of cattle on
tho ranges IN the cededlands directly tributary
TO tnt zine NNuRe r6SerNdIlOIh IN one Winter
only 800 head drifted to the Indian hnds. and
that this comparatively small number did not
Justify the construction of an expensive and
useless fence. especially when II was decided to
charge the expenditure to the Indians account.
The new fence does not closely follow the
White River but runs as close to It as Il per.
along thai stream. On the Indian side of the
gate a large number Of cattle OF their own.
These. il is expected. will be able to procure
abundant supplies Of water from the draws
running back from the river to the Indian side
of the fence. The structure has five wires and
Ia very durable, the posts being OF Iron and
cedar. placed alternately, SO. that II prairie fires
destroy the cedar posts the iron posts will still
maintain the fence in good condition. Gates
ARE placed at intervals. to be used in
emergencies when IL is necessary to get to the
river. Thu gates are securely locked, and no
one will be permitted to have keys to
them except a white government employee
known as the boss farmer" and the Indian
agent himself, The fence will be under the
direct personal supervision OF the boss farmer
who will be- held responsible for its condition,
Sub-agencies, under the charge OF. white EN-.
ployees, have been established at intervals oil
about fifteen miles along the entire route OF
the fence. and at these tho Indians Lying in
the neighborhood receive their supplies ol
beef. bacon, coffee. tea. sugar and Hour al
stated periods. 1t will be seen that the fence
does not run through an untnhabtted part 0
the reservation. and that 1t will not be aseriout
task to maintain a watch Nupon II similar tc
that maintained by railroad section men FOL
the purpose OF keeping tracks in good repair.