The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-12-27
CHIEF RED CLOUD
" P |l.'| OUT A FARM
ogalalla Sioux Are Now Elk
pected to Take More Freely.
' to Civilization.
J BY Ws w. yermane.

. Washington, Dec. 27.-Offcials of
the Indian bureau were much gratifed
to receive the report Of Allotting Agent
Bates to the effect that Chief Red Cloud
Of the :Ogalalla Sioux had decided to
take an. allotment on. the Pine Ridge
reservation in South Dakota. : It is re-
gagas he RI tEb afe fasS Ct tef
that band, as undoubtedly many Of the
Indians have been prevented from tax
ing allotments by the failure of the
old chief to avail himself of his privi-
lege. -: ~ 80 =
Provision for dividing the Great
Sioux lands in sevetalty among the
tribes was made in the Great Sioux
treaty Of: 1889, but there was no com
pulsion about the division. No Indian
was to take an allotment unless he so
elected, and it is believed that many
of the younger and more progressive
members of the Pine Ridge band would
have taken their allotments long ago
had not Red Cloud st God in the way.
the reason for Red Clouds determine
tion to take up farm of his own.
But there is "a suspicion here that he
was induced to do so by members of the
tribe who have an eye to gain In the
future thru the sale Of inherited lands.
Landholding System. -
Under the system of holding lands
in common, no gain comes to any indi-
of his relatives dies. The reservation
belongs to all the living members, each
having like share in the common prop
erty Of the tribe. - -
Individual allotments, however, are
in different class in their disposition
after the death of the original allottee.
Such lands, known commonly, as inner.
the heirs Of the deceased, under the
later acts of congress and regulations
Of the Indian bureau.
Indian allottees usually pick out the
most desirable land on the reservation,
50 that, with the scarcity of good tilla-
BILE public land, these inherited lands,
when put up for sale, usually bring
recently on the Yankton reservation in
South Dakota, where an allotment of
100 acres sold for as much as $4,000,
| with other sales Of similar tracts at
| nearly as high figures. A general al
lotment on the Pine Ridge reservation
may now be looked for, with a pros.
pect of some Of the Indians eventually
realizing well thru the death Of rela-
! tives and the sale OF their holdings.
Civilizations influence.
It is not believed here that this sor-
| did and mercenary spirit ani1nates all
| the Indians who have taken or will
take allotments. The influence of civ.
ilization is on the increase among res
ervation Indians everywhere, and it is
believed that a number of the Indians
have taken lands in severalty because
| OF their desire to own their own farms
and homes and to be independent oil
their fellow tribesmen.
Some Of the more progressive Of thu
Pine Ridge Indians undoubtedly re
I Trained from taking allotments because
Chief Red Cloud had refused to tax,
one, and it is expected that these mem
bers of the tribe will soon apply TO,
allotments, as well as those who ma,
be actuated by less worthy motives.
Allotting Agent Bates undoubtedl,
had considerable to do with inducing
Red Cloud to take ana allotment afte
refusing to do so for fifteen years, AM
credit is given him in the Indian bu
reau for his work.