The Dolores star., 1923-08-03

No sooner had Fort Phil Kearney Fort C. F.
Smith and Fort Reno been built than Red Cloud
laid siege to them. In December he cut Off and
killed 81 soldiers and officers in what is popularity
known the ''Fcttcrman massacre" and for the
next year he waged his successfully that
the government forced TO sue for peace. The
peace commission arrived at Fort Laramie early
in 1868, but Red Cloud sent word that he would
have nothing to do with them until the forts were
abandoned and the soldiers withdrawn from
the country. 1t was not until November 6, after
the last soldier had marched away, that he ap-
peared at Fort Laramie to sign He had won
every point for which he had been fighting. 1t was
square backdown for the government and a
plete victory for the Ogalala leader.
This treaty, besides providing for a permanent
peace between the Sioux and the United States,
gave to the Indians all of the present state of
South Dakota, west of the Missouri river including
the Black Hills, for their absolute and undis
turbed and occupation" 1t also expressly
agreed that into the country north of the Platte
river and east of the Big Horn mountains
white man should enter without permission Ct
the Sioux.
In 1871, surveyors for the Northern Pacific rail
road began laying a route along the south bank of
the Yellowstone river The Sioux declared this
was violation of the treaty of 1868. The govern
ment ignored the protest and forts built
along the line of the railroad
Heretofore there had been two outstanding fig
ures in the drama Of the Sioux fight for their
land-Red Cloud of the Ogaalas and Spotted Tail
of the Brules. Now enters a third, Sitting Bull,
chief and medicine Of the Uncpapas, whose
territory now being profaned by the Iron
horse of the white man" The Brues and the
ogalalas were indignant, but would not join in a
general war SO the work proceeded.
Once more the golden thread appeared. In 1874,
Gen. Phil Sheridan, commander of the department
Of the Missouri, decided that effective control of
all tba North pISo
upon establishment of a military post in the Black
Hills. SO he sent Gen. G. A. Custer to make a
reconnaissance Of the region. The Indians declared
this violation of the treaty of the most fragrant
sort. Custer finished his scout and made glow
ing report on the region. To cap it ALL he added
one word-gold,
When the word went out. Gold in the Black
Hnlsi" there a stampede. Sheridan tried in
vain to stem the tide Of goldseekers. His soldiers
captured the miners escorted them out of the
Hills and destroyed their outfits But no display
Of military force could keep a gold-mad peope
from this promised land. In 1875 Prof Walter p
Jenney. a geoogist under military escort (another
violation of the treaty, the Sioux declared) ex-
piored the Black Hills and corroborated Custer
There nothing to do but trv to buy the Rlocl,
Hills from the Sioux.
The government sent n commission to treat with
them. BY this time the Indians were convinced
that 'Pah-sap-pah' represented vast stOrphouse
of wealth for which the white man would he will
ing to pay almost any price. But they were divd-
ed in opinion as to what policy to pursue One
faction was willing to sign an absolute relin1ujsb
ment. but another would not part with their loved
Hills for any price
The valuation set upon the region by the Sioux
ranged from $4O,OOOOOO to $7O,0OO0OO Believing
that there was no chance of obtaining a relInnuisb
ment of the region, the commissioners sought rho
consent of the Indians to allow mining to he car
NED on under lease system. They offered an an.
nual rental of 100000 for the right to mine and
cultivate the soil, or as an alternative a sum of
S6oo,oOO for the outright purchase of the Tyius
Inc councils held mt Red Clouds agency on the
White river. were marked by scenes of disorder
and bloodshed was prevented only by the firm stand
OF Young Man Afraid of His Horse hered,torv
cMe1 OF the ogaalas All efforts to effect n com
promise proved frutless and the council ended in
no bargain at all. The Sioux were desperate The
horde of miners was still pouring into the Hills
one camp alone. Custer City, had population of
ll,ooo The Indians also noted that the military
"aa siackened Its efforts to bar the stampeders
In the winter of 1856 many of the sIoux in.