The Charles Mix new era. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1???-1911, 1905-06-09
GOOD INDIANS
The yankton Sioux Not Addicted to
Liquor.


recent decision of the United
States supreme court holding
that intoxicating liquors can be
sold to Indians who have taken
their allotments Of lands has
caused the publication of numer-
Gus articles in the newspapers
stating that it would result in a
reign of terror in the locality
where Indians reside. As far as
the Yankton Indians are con-
cerned these articles are erron-
eous. Wagner is situated in
about the center of what was
formerly the Yankton Indian
reservation, and is the nearest
town to the Yankton Indian
agency.
The Yankton Indians all took
their allotments of land years
ago. There is probably not 10
per cent of the Yankton Indians
that will use intoxicating liquors
ID any form. A large majority
of them belong to the different
churches on the reservation and
each Of these Indians are not only
total abstainers, but are strong
workers In the cause of temper
ance. A laig ge majority of these
Indians realize the demorlizing
effects of the use of intoxicating
liquors among them, and to-
guard against this, when they
ceded the land that was the.
Yankton reservation to the United
States government they ha6 a
provision incorporated in the
treaty forever prohibiting the
sale of intoxicating liquor on any
of their ceded land, with the re-
suit that no intoxicating liquors
can. be sold within the limits of,
what was formerly the Yankton
Indian Reservation. The pro
visions Of this treaty have been
Incorporated into an act of con.
gress prescribing severe penal
ty for the violation of the same,
with the result that the eastern
half of Charles Mix county has
absolute prohibition against the
sale Of Intoxicating liquors for
any purpose, even the drug stores
not being allowed to handle 1t.
This excellent condition among
these Indians has been largely
brought about through theefforts
Of Rev. John P. Williamson, the
Indian missionary residing at
Greenwood on the Yankton res
ervation, who has practically
spent his life working for the
cause Of Christianity and the up
building of these Indians. He
has translated the Bible and
hymn books into their language. |
In this work he has been assisted
by Bishop Hare of Sioux Falls
and DR.. Riggs of Santee agency.
These men have probably done
more towards the uptuilding |
and improvement of the Indians
in South Dakota than anyone
else.
1t is q very rare occurance to
see an intoxicated Indian on the
streets of Wagner. With the CO.
operation of the government
authorities at Yankton agency
aud the local authorities of
Charles Nix county it is not very /
safe for 4 bootlegger to venture
into this territory, as they are
spotted almost as soon as they
arrive. There Is not an Indian
to be tried at the coming term OIL
court In Charles Mix county for
an offense, and there has been no
serious crimes committed By any
OF them for q number Of years.
While we do not mem 10 say that
all of these Indians are total alb,
stainers, yet the condition among /
them Is 10 worse than it former.
III was. Those who want liquor
have always been able % get II.
Bnt wlAat drinking there Is
81 49,. -. Il ,saessf.s sss4.4 Il = Il