The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-29
Special to The Journal.

NbpoCtal TO lue .
Rosebud Agency, S. D., Aug. 2s.-In a
little over a year since Indian Commits
zsioner Jones ordered the bo;dest expert
J. ment ever attempted upon the red man,
that of forcing him to work or go hungry,
! the spirit of the Sioux, the haughtiest
that ever cleaned In paint or bristled in
Feathers, has been completely broken.
In 1890, the Sioux Indians started
murderous war because the government
introduced some red tape into their lives.
In 1908 the Sioux have accepted what to
them is the lowest degradation to which a
red man can be subjected, their worse ig-
norniny, the habit of work.
A year ago few Indians began doing
day labor, and the agents We're greatly
encouraged. Then 1t was matter OF
finding Indians for the work provided;
now it has become a serious problem to
find work for the Indians
1T Is not the lack Of disposition, but the
lack Of opportunity declared A. 0.
Wright, supervisor of Indian schools, who
recently returned from trip thru the
South Dakota and Nebraska reservations.
Most of the younger men are earning
money cheerfuly for themselves and their
families. The only difficulty is in provid-
, ing work for them. 1t has been proved
that the Sioux will work if they have
chance to do so. The work the govern
ment has provided has been only tempo
rary, and it is a serious question what
they can do to earn a living"
clamorIng For 1t.
So Commissioner Jones. year after he
prodded the sluggish spirit Of the red
man, has 5000 able bodied Sioux camor-
ing at his door for something to do. Agent
Brennan of the Pine Ridge reservation
says he Is being besieged .g
After gold was discovered in the Black
Hills. territory claimed by the Sioux. the
government sought to negotiate with them
for the purchase of the Hills. The Sioux
demanded $1,000, 900; the commissioners
laughed and the Sioux left the council
ready to fight Then the great Red Cloud
interfered and brought about the 1868
treaty. This provided that for thirty
years the Sioux should be given rations
and for an indefinite period after that I'M
til they should become self-supporting. In
1898. when the thirty years had passed.
many Of the Sioux were no nearer self
support than when the treaty was signed.
After four years Commissioner Jones
caused the agents to announce several
months In advance that the rations would
be withdrawn July 1. 1902, and the Sioux
were told they would be given work by
which they could obtain more food and
clothing than they ever had.
With July came grumbling. The older
warriors who have never forgiven the
e aggression Of the whites, were for stand
ing upon the treaty. But the younger In
dams became hungry and, besides they
had no grievances. One day three Indians
asked the Rosebud agent for work and
then showed the dollars to teir tribesmen.
The news was not long in spreading and
many others went to work during the
summer. ...
All Reservation Work Done.
The first employment was offered by the
government, upon the roads, at 81 35 a day.
Soon the roads had been put in the best
possible condition and the government
Bought bridges and had the Indians string
the Orders. All advisable bridges were
built and still the Sioux, now eager for the
dollars, were insat!able. Then the govern
ment carried out some irrigation schemes,
building storage tanks FOR stock, that the
range country might be utilized Three
large reservoirs were constructed In the
Wakpamini district four in the Medicine
Root and six in the Pass Creek district
a dam built entirely by Indians just east
OF the buildings at the Pine Ridge agency
contains $500 cubic yards of earth and