The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-02-20
DAKOTkS
SECOND GOVERNOR
DIES At YANkTON
Newton Edmunds, Who Nego.
tiated First Indian Treaty,
Victim of Paralysis.

fankton, >. D., Feb. 17.-Newton Ed
munds, 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.
Mr.. Edmunds was appointed terri
torial governor in 1863, serving three
years. He succeeded Governor Jayne,
who resigned his office to take his seat
IN congress. Mr.. Edmunds had at the
time been a 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 all Of the territory Of South
Dakota. These whites were at the time
terrortZed by the massacres at New
UIm N Redwood, Mimi. During 1863
two separate expeditions were direct
ed against the Indians. in Dakota, un.
der General Sibley and General Sully,
and each administered q severe defeat
to the redskins.
His First Message.
Governor Edmunds' first message to
10 NAADA AloA
sensible and practical. He made sug
gestions for education, revenue, immI.
grafton n railway legislation and
proposed defense OF the whites by
means OF q line Of small posts along
the frontier.
The following year witnessed another
expedition against the Indians, under
General Sully. with troops from Me-
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 memorialize
Hills. @ "
Carrying out a plan he had long had
in mind, Governor Edmunds visited
washington I'm February, 1866, Just as
congress was drawing TO q close, and,
calling upon President Lincoln, con-
vinced Lincoln that, with a small APP
preparation, a commission could effect
a treaty Of peace with the hostile In
dians that had been terrorizing the ter
ritory ever since its establishment. Mr..
Lincoln gave Governor Edmunds q
note to the committees of congress upon
Indian affairs, suggesting that they
take Governor Edmunds' advice. A bill
was quickly passed allowing 500, 900 for
h expense OF the treaty commission
81 Ia a lG" udYS ldlGT dD-
pointed Governor Newton Edmunds,
Edwar -. Taylor, Superintendent OF
indian Affairs Major General S. r.. Cur
tbs, Brigadier General Henry II. Sibley
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
mr. nnrnOtf thu nAWn.~aE-- A. -
indlan 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 Edmunds commission
met the hostile Indians at Fort SulIy,
below Pierre. There, after negotiations
from October ii to October 20. treaties
or peace We're signed with the Yanl.
tons and the seven tribes of Tetons.
with the exception OF Hump and Two
hettIes, none of the prominent Indian
chiefs attended the conference or
signed the treaty. If Governor Ed
munos could have reached Red Cloud,
spotted Tail, Crazy Horse and a few
others, the history of the subsequent
Id years might not have been so blood
stained.
However, under the agreement, the
Indians withdrew all opposition to the
use or roads established or construction
OF new ones. For right of way the In
dlans received annuities OF more than
100000. The Lower Brule accepted a
reservation, with an allowance OF S25
per family for agricultural Implements
n the other were to have a similar
allowance If they should take reserya-
The treaties were ratified by
the Senate and signed by President
on March IL, 1866.
Treaties With indians.
In May, 1856, the commission re-
turned and met more than 10000 In
dams at Fort Pierre. Old Red Cloud
was there but refused to be bound by
the treaties or accept the annuities
The commission, nevertheless, proceed
ed to the headwaters of the Missouri
and secured treaties with the Rees.
Mandans, Blackfeet and other indian
tribes, returning to Yankton In August
The treaties served to produce a
with the Indians, to the great satisfac-
ton of the Dakota settlers.
This was the last year of Governor
service. A depressinr
drouth occurred that summer and
settlers were disposed TO leave.
But governor Edmunds, through all In
l troubles, wars, drouths, foods. fire
and grasshoppers, proceeded calmly to
piant his fields and cultivate his crops.
He introduced stock, taught the other
farmers how to diversity their crops
and In every way encouraged the
frontiersmen by his practical good
sense. ~ eOO
Mr.. Edmunds has been living quietly
at fankton for many years, enjoying a
comfortable fortune accumulated by his
persistence and his thrift.
Came West Early.
~Ex-Governor Edmunds was born in
Niagara county, New York, Nav 20.
1919. In 1882 he removed to Washte-
naw county, Michigan, where he lived
until he came to South Dakota. Since
his retirement from public life he had
engaged IN the banking business. In
!ater years, owing to his declining
health, the business a beer con-
aucted by his sons, Charles p. Ed
and William H.. Edmunds. His
laughter, Mrs. E. e. Washabaugh,
her home with the ex-governor
since the death OF her husband. Judge
Washabaugh, 1 n the Black Hills a few
years ago. Mrs. Edmunds died IN 8
BLACK DlPHTHERIA