The Miller sun. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 190?-19??, 1904-10-12
Locals of a
Wider Nature.


reservation country west Of Pierre. Hundreds of them
took allotments there when it was ceded to the gov
eminent a few years ago, but when the white men went
in after homes later they relinguished their rights to
them and went north and south on the reservations. A
visitor to that part Of the state, just returned to Miller,
discovered other interesting facts. Fort Pierre is the
seat of government of a county that extends 100 miles to
the southwest, go miles due westa and nearly as far north
west. Over all Of this vast section is more or less set
Element, all parts of which are reached by daily, semi
weekly and weekly stage mails. Fort Pierre merchants
alone during the last spring and summer have supplied
the settlers there with 100000 worth Of lumber and
100000 worth Of farm machinery, dry goods, groceries,
ETC. The railway companies have made some large dams
far out from the rivers that hold water all the year.
The range business, while crippled, is still important.
Oct 8 and 1000 fat steers at a value OF A5,OW were
shipped from Fort Pierre. Such shipments are quite
common. Three thousand sheep were in the yards the
same day. A horse ranchman named Moore said his horse
sales would foot up to $4,000. About midway between
Fort Pierre and Rapid City is an odd freak of nature
known as Grindstone Butte. Egg shaped it towers high
In the air. From it's summit a magnificent view of the
country is obtained. The prairies are covered with thick
grass. Belts Of timber skirt the creeks. Occasionally
a nice log house has been built by the settler from the
native trees. From this point peaks of the Black Hills
mountains may be seen, if the air is clear. A whole en-
pire of beautiful country is to be seen from the top Of
this butte. Gamped by it was Sitting Dove, a squaw re-
puted to be 110 years old, who speaks besides Sioux the
French and English tongues, having been married to
men of those nationalitieS. the last husband being dead
some 40 years. She makes an annual pilgrimage to this
place with relatives from far. northwest. Asked as to the
changes of years she answered: white man has anew
heart now. Many years ago he came and loved the In
dian maidens. Our fathers were very rich. We carried
water to his ponies that our fathers gave him, gathered
hay for winter and worked hard. 1t pleased him and we
were glad. Now our fathers are poor. This land is not
ours. White man does not love Indian maiden. He
comes, bringing pale maid. She does no work, but has
long feathers in her hat, rings on fingers and sparkling
the work and is very glad. Yes, the changes are many.
never come here again, for / go back to my teepee far
away and die Returning to Fort Pierre one notices
in the stores and land Offices, punches of corn, grains
and grasses on exhibit, instead of bowie knives, skulls,
etc, that were displayed there 20 years ago. There
other church is about to be organized One of the finest
brick bank buildings in the state is there. Artesian
wells are being contracted for in town and in the coun-
try farther west The two newspapers, and the half
donen other papers scattered over the country west, are
Sling M with notices OF settlers pfo7i1g up, indicating
M-=-:-Az- - 49, 10 LIZ 1o.a oe -. - -