The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-02-21
SOUTH DAK0TA'S
SECOND GOVERNOR
DIES At YANKTON
Newton Edmunds, Vino Nego.
tiated First Indian Treaty.
Victim Of Paralysis.

Yankton. S. d.. Feb. 17--Newton Ed I
enunds. second territorial governor OF
South Dakota, who died Of paralysis
IN this city yesterday afternoon. had
the distinction OF negotiating the first
treaties with the Indians on behalf of
the state of South Dakota. These
treaties, for which Mr.. Edmunds is en-
titled to almost the entire credit. really
begin the history of South Dakota.
MIR. Edmunds was appointed terri
toria governor in 1868. serving three
years. He succeeded Governor Jayne.
| who resigned his Office to take his seat
IN congress. Mr.: Edmunds had at the
time been citizen of South Dakota
for little more than a year. having
come to the state as chief clerk to Sur
veyor General Fessenden.
AT that time there were but 600
voters in ali of the territory of South
Dakota. These whites were at the time
terrorized by the massacres at New
Ulm and Redwood. Mimi. During 1853.
two separate expeditions were direct
ed against the Indians in Dakota. un-
der General Sibley and General Sully.
and each administered a severe defeat
TO the redskins.
His First Message.
| boNSEuOT EOmuuuS lISl ticSStiSSe "
the legislature was Enthusiastically
sensible and practical. He made sug-
/ gestions for educat ton, revenue, inmi-
grafton and railway legislation and
proposed defense of the whites by
means OF a line of small posts along
I the frontier.
The following year Witnessed another
expedition against the Indians, under
I General Sully, with troops from Ne
braska, Iowa and Minnesota. To the
legislature in 1864 Governor Edmunds,
among other suggestions expressed the
belief that there was a great deposit OF
precious metals in the Black Hills and
asked the legislature to memorabilia
congress to build road into the
Hills.
Carrying out plan he had long had
in mind, Governor Edmunds visited
Washington in February, 1866. just as
congress was drawing to close. and.
calling upon President Lincoln. con-
WINGED Lincoln that. with Il small APP
preparation. commission could effect
treaty of peace with the hostile Ill
dfans that had -.-< erroriZing the ter
ritery ever sine establishment. Mr..
Lincoln gave l.l -.'e>r Edmunds q
note to the committees of congress upon
Indian affairs, suggesting that they
take Governor Edmunds' advice. "A bill
was quickly passed allowing $4,000 for
the expense of the treaty commission
pointed Governor Newton Edmunds.
Edward E. Taylor. Superintendent OF
Indian Affairs Major General S. r. Cur
It's, Brigadier General Henry Fl. Sihley
and Messrs. Henry w. Reed and Orrin
Guernsey as members of the commits
sion.
Thwarted by Pope.
But, to Governor Edmunds great
disappointment. General Pope would
not permit the commission to enter the
indian country or negotiate for peace.
a bitter correspondence followed, but
James A. Harlan, secretary of the in
terror. finally secured a revocation of
the military order. 1t was not until
October that the Ednaunds commission
met the hostile Indians at Fort Suly,
below Pierre. There, after negotiations
from October IA to october 20, treaties
OF peace were signed with the Yank-
tons and the seven tribes Of Tetons.
With the exception of Hump and Two
tiles. none of the prominent Indian
chiefs attended the conference or
signed the treaty. If Governor Ed
munds could have reached Red Cloud
Spotted Tail, Crazy Horse and a few
others, the history of the subsequent
Us years might not have been so blood
. sitaiEed
However. under the agreement, the
!':u ms withdrew all opposition to the
81 # roads established or construction
u wv oAiSs'. ~ vi llSllL Oh way lIle lll-
didns received annuities of more than
s." coo. The Lower Brule accepted a
reservation, with an allowance of S25
per family for agricultural implements
and the other Were to nave Il similar
allowance if they should take reserva.
tons. The treaties We're ratified by
the Senate and signed by President
johnson on March II, 1866.
; Treaties With Indians.
In May, 1866, the commission re.
, turned and met more than 10000 In.
, dians at Fort Pierre. Old Red Clout
Was there but refused to be bound by
the treaties or accept the annuities
The commission, nevertheless, proceed.
!, ed to the headwaters of the Miaaour
and secured treaties with the Rces
Mandans, Blackfeet and other Indiar
tribes, returning to Yankton in August
The treaties served to produce peac,
with the Indians, to the great satisfac
ton Of the Dakota settlers
This was the last year of Governor
Edmunds' service. A depressing
drouth occurred hat summer ane
r many settlers were disposed to leave
l But Governor Edmunds, through all In
f dian troubles, wars. drouchs. foods fir
: and grasshoppers, proceeded calmly t,
, plant his fields and cultivate his crops
!. He introduced stock, taught the othe
farmers how to diversity their crop
ana IN every way encouraged tn
AAoit.AN1 "Aii0A oy IDS pTaCliChI SOOt
sense.
Mr.. Edmunds has been living auietl,
r at Yankton for many years, enjoying
comfortable fortune accumulated by hi
r persistence and his thrift.
Came West Early.
!. . Ex-Governor Ednunds was horn /,
; Niagara county, New York, May 81
, 1919. IN 1882 he removed to Washte
i nav county, Michigan, where he live
until he came to South Dakota. Sine
his retirement from public life he ha
engaged in the banking business. L
q later years. owing to his declinin
health, the business has been con
Quoted ny his sons, Charles p. Ed
r daughter. Mrs. E. %. Washabaur
; made her home with the ex-governo
d since the death Of her husband Inde