Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-07-07

A lew weeks dSO, Cdpt. "A. -. "NtIh
of Bismarck, while on visit to his
foster father, Chief John Grass OF
the Sioux nation, rode over the site
of an ancient Indian village. A hur
ried investigation indicated that il
might be discovery of considerable
importance to archaeologists. Conse
quently Capt. WEIGH recently return
ed to the village and made a more
comprehensive exploration of the ex
tensive ruins. nc @ee7T e,cw, 1f.'aa
The findings Of this research were
indeed, surprisingly important and a
scientific paper is being prepared by
the Captain to be filed with the
Smithsonian Institute and the North
Dakota Historical society. The facts
as uncovered, throw considerable
light upon the early movements OF
that mysterious and almost extinct
people, the Mandans, and the more
recent and Warlike Dakotas, and
therefore directly affects the early
history of this state. J
That the Mandans have lived in
the upper Missouri river country for
several hundred years is not now
seriously questioned by students OF
Indian history. AS far as these PEG.
pie have been traced the facts agree
with their traditions; that they came
into this country from the southeast
1--WE are informed that prehistoric
Mandan village of considerable eX
tent has been located in the vicinity
Of TT. Pierre and is the southernmost
known point of their permanent habi'
tations.
When this Fl. Pierre village was
deserted is not known, but it probably
was over $50 years ago. Students
generally agree that the cause OF this
evacuating movement was for the pur'
pose of removing to country which
would be better adapted to their mode
of living, and consequently we find
them moving to the north and west
along the great waterway. We DO
know that they built village about
$40 years ago at the mouth of the
Cannon all river in North Dakota
This was perhaps the largest village
along the entire length Of the Nilsson
ri river, within the walls, by which
the village proper was fortified, SNo
lodges having been located, some OF
them of immense size. These were
placed upon the southern bank OF the
stream, upon the second bench, ~
feet above flood water, and covered
nearly mile square 0. gently -slop
ing ground. The Cannon Ball river
empties into the Missouri al rignt an
giles and the north and east therefore
formed an effectual water barrier
against any enemy. The site was
enclosed upon the west and south BY
a great sod wall, which is. still easily
to be traced. -e.,.s ..s-gzr ,s+ :,
There is reason to believe that an
other small group of these people Nv
ed at the same time at the southern
end TO the grea hill at F. Yates some
IS miles souh of the Cannon all vii
llage. But up to the time OF this re
port no definite information was 90
tainable Of any important settlement
by the Mandans in all the country be
ween the village of TT. Pierre aHf
Cannon Ball. Therefore, the repor
kof the great Mandan vfiiage. describ
ed herein, will in a great measure
remove any doubts relating to the DIS
appearance of the Mandans in the IT
Pierre region, and their ultimate des
tinatiOn. ~ 1-TsGzSss Gfj .sE5-
General Movement OF tMandans. Z
There is now no reason to douD
that general movement OF the TT
Pierre Mandans took place. Ehl'