Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1912-04-26
TO ESTABLISH BISON RANGE AT
WIND CAVE.
ASKS FOR $4,000
APPROPRIATION OF WHICH AMOUNT
$4,000 Is TO BE USED FOR THE
PURCHASE OF ADDITIONAL LAND.

A bill introduced by Congressman
r. w. Martin, recently proposes to
establish the "Wind Cave National
Game Preserve" on lands adjacent to
the Wind Cave National park, near
this city, for permanent national
range for herd of bison, or buffalo, to
be presented to the United States by
the American Bison society. The mat
ter is now before the committees on
agriculture in both the house and sem
ate, Mr.. Martin having taken it up be-
fore the senate committee with view
to having the appropriation called for,
$4,000, added to the agricultural ap.
preparation bill in the senate.
or the So, 900, $4,000 is to be used
in the purchase of additional lands for
adding to the bison range, and to in
sure permanent water supply in dry
seasons. The remaining $4,000 is for
purpose of fencing the entire range to
protect the animals and prevent their
straying or being killed. In addition
to providing range for bison, it is in
| cidentally the purpose to have the pro-
posed national game preserve stocked
| also with other native quadrupeds.
such as elk, moose, deer and Rocky
Mountain sheep, which it is claimed
are in danger OF being destroyed just
as the fast disappearing buffalo has
been annihiliated by the savages of
hunters and climste.
Not only is the American Bison soci.
ETY. keenly interested in the bill and
anxious to see it enacted into law. but
the citizens of South Dakota would
gladly welcome the establishment Of
| suoh game reserve within its borders.
Representative Martin has been work.
ing on the proposition for months, and
1t is said that it is favored by both of
| the South Dakota senators. In addi.
ton to this, the bill has been strongly
urged by the secretary of agriculture.
under whose jurisdiction the condem.
nation proceedings for securing the
land it is proposed to buy will fall
Much of the tract that will be secured
by the government, in case the measure
goes through, is land that has been
little cultivated, though there are q
few settlers whose rights the govern.
ment would be obliged to purchase.
The tract to be fenced will include ap
proximately l0,G66 acres.
Following is the bill:
Be it enacted by the Senate and House
of Representatives of the United States
of America in Congress assembled.
That there is hereby established a
national game preserve, to be known
as the Wind Cave National Game Pre-.
serve. upon the lands embraced within
the boundaries of the Wind Cave
National Park. in the State of South
Dakota, for permanent national range
for herd of bison to be presented to
the United States by the American
Bison Society, and for such other
native American animals as may be
placed therein. The Secretary of
Agriculture is authorized to acquire
by purchase or condemnation such
other lands as may be necessary for the
purpose of assuring an adequate, per
manent water supply at cost not ex.
ceeding the sum of fifteen thousand
dollars, which amount, or so much
thereof as may be necessary for the
said purpose, is hereby appropriated
There is hereby further appropriated
the sum of seventeen thousand dollars.