The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-05-07
( ( T. 5. Sued
So
y Indians
Over Lands
$700.000,000 Reimbursement
Is Sought by Sioux Tribes
of Nebraska, Montana
and Dakotas.
Claim Treaties Broken
BY GEORGE +. AITHIER.
Correspondent The Omaha Bee

by GEORGE +. AlTHIEk.
Washington Correspondent The Omaha Bee.
Washington, May 6.-United States
is called upon TO reimburse Indians
in North and South Dakota, Mon
tana and Nebraska in the amount
of S700. 900 900 in a suit filed in the
court of claims on behalf of Sioux
Indians living on the Rosebud, Pine
ridge. Standing Rock, Cheyenne
River, Crow Creek and Lower Brule
reservations In South Dakota; on
the Santee reservation in Nebraska
and the Forth Peck reservation in
Montana. it is the largset sum in
history for which the government has
ever been sued.
The Indians, through their attor
neys are suing over lands taken over
from them under treaties for which
they have not been fully paid. The
property in question involves the
famous HoDestake gold mine in the
Black Hills of South Dakota The at
torneyship in this case had been ac-
cepted by Charles Evans Hughes. but
he withdrew from II following his
appointment as secretary of state.
The suit IL filed by Maj. Ralph II.
Case and Capt. {. c. Calhoun, attor-
enys for the Sioux tribes. The
action is brought under the congress
sional act OF 1920, which gives the
court of claims jurisdiction.
Treaties Century Old
The claims hinge on treaties> dat.
ing as far back as 1S25 and calls
for flat payment OF s219 .635, 1882.
the compounded interest and the prin-
oipal bring the sum up to 500 000,-
600 already mentioned.
The Black Hills section. one of the
rich gold. producing regions OF the
United States, is the most valuable
part of 8 100000 acres which the Sioux
claim WAS taken from them in 1875
lin violation OF their rights, and
without just compensation being paid
them"
The Sioux do not ask for restiu
tion of the property. so The titles now
held BY White men will not be inter
fered with. They claim that the min
eral lands taken from them should
be paid FOR at the rate OF 500 an
acre and that the timber land should
be settled on a basis of $50 an acre.
1t IL claimed that the Black Hills
forest service containing one OF the
finest stands OF white pine in the
country, is worth more today than
the entire sum asked Tor.
Want Nebraska Land.
Among other demands made bv the
Sioux are their claims for $4,000 600
acres ~ land taken from them east II
,he Missouri river in South Dakota
and south 81 the present South Da-
kota state line In Nebraska They
demand also that the United States
fulfill its treaty guaranees made in
treaty in the year 1858 aud they say
that on this item the government
should have paid them more than
$50 .000, 600. The admit partial pay.
ments have been made on this aes
count. but ask an accounting
Other demands are for settlement
made by them is just payment for big
game killed by the whites on their
hunting ground; payment FOR wood
and hav cut by the military forces OF
the United States ON their reserva.
tions and insisted upon a further ae-
counting by the government for lands
opened for settlement under acts OF
congress providing that the proceeds
shall be opposed To the credit OF the
Sioux nation.
Commenting on the issue raised.
Major case. counsel FOR the Sioux
nation. said. -"
THE United States in its treaty
with France in 1903 guaranteed to the
inhabitants Of Louisiana territory see
urty for life. property and religious
liberty This guarantee, 50 far as the
Sioux are concerned has been reiter-
ated and confirmed Ia the treaties be
tween the tribe and the United States.
All we ask Is that the property taken
FRO mhe Sioux be paid FOR AT its fair
value and hat the United States ful=
I'm its treaty stipulations and ohliga
tons