The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-06-17
(Rv Fl. NJ. Crecl, Berlin, Md

opening of this vast territory.
The letter, written February %.
1882, by the then secretary of war,
Robert T.. Lincoln, authorizing me
TO appcar before the senate and
house committee as witness bear
ing upon the status Of this land.
read as follows:
81 have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt Of your communication
of yesterday, requesting that Lieut..
II. NJ. Crecl, 7th Cavalry, be order
ed to appear before the suh-rom-
mittee on Indian affairs, to give
testimony in regard to the unceded
Indian lands in northern Dakota.
w.ieutenant Creel is now in the
city on leave of absence, and would
undoubtedly chcerfully appear be-
fore the subcommittee upon q re-
quest to that effect from the chair
man, and the department is very
willing to have him give such in
formation as is in his power on
this subject"
The letter was addres scd to Hon.
r. F.. Pettigrew, house of repre-
sentatives.
Trip Cost $500
l went to Washington on the
above mission in the winter of 1882,
and before leaving for Washington,
large meeting Of settlers on this
disputed land was held at Lamor-
eaux postoffice at the east end of
Devils Lake, where resolution was
unanimously passed to pay me so
cents per acre by each settler when
he made final proof if / succeeded
in opening up the land for settle
ment. and to have all future set
tiers do the same if possible. This
agreement if carried out would en-
title me to approximately $4,-
| 75O, 900, as most of the land is
proved up. 1t is needless to say
that never received one cent, nor
did ever ask for it. The trip
cost me $500.
Most Of my old friends of those
stirring early days are gone AND
with them the old Indians wht
once hunted over this vast domain
1t is a great heritage that future
generations will receive. and trust
that they may faithfully and most
Loyalty cary on the great work thai
Twas initiated years ago, not onl.
the white people but the Indians
!who have had every incentive ant
also aid by the government to be
come good and useful citizens.
| 1t is we'll to record events Incl
dent to the settlement of stat,
by those who were factors in same
and to this end Fsubmit the follow
ing to future generations that the.
may know the history of their stat
J and. realizing the many trials an
hardships that the early settler
had to endure, make them more nc
tive and faithful to the duties o
- their everyday life now and in tn
future.
In connection with the report o.
this band of Indians (Chippewas)
might not be out of place to re
view their history and struggles t
. establish themselves in this cOun
try, and my connection with thi
contention since 1880. 1t should b
interesting to anyone interested i
: this subject.
Surveyed Devils Lake
In 1880 an officer Of the 7th Cav
/ airy on detached service as enginee
officer for the TT. Totten Militar
J District, | surveyed Devils LAX,
! The fine agricultural lands lynn
north and west of this lake attract
. ed my attention. On inquiry VIII
: it was not settled was told it wa
Chippewa land. ] wrote to tn
Hon. Geo. w. Mannapenny, m
fathers first cousin, and forme
, commissioner of indian affairs, q
l to the status of this land, and n
ceived from him a long letter O
t this subject. Later after CORE.
ponding with Senator William VIII
5 dom of Minnesota, also Hon. r.
< Pettigrew, delegate from Dakot
t Territory in the house of represel
t ltatives, later was witness befor
t both houses of congress on tn
t proposition to open up this land fl
t settlement, believing then, as l
f now> that these Indians claimin
S this land had no valid claim |
0 same.
n Under letter dated Feb. IA, 1873
from Hon. H. Price, Indian con
s missioner to the Hon. secretary +,
t 1.-THE interior, he said in part:
have the honor to acknowledge tt
t receipt by your reference for r,
D port of letter dated Dec. 20, 1873
from Lieut.. H. M. Creel, Of Il
: army, addressed to Hon. Villa
e Window of the senate, who, in r
: ferring the same to the department
il requests that he may be advis.
Y whether any action touching Il
S land therein referred to is desirabl
h and if so, what legislation woul
+ in the view of the department,
expedient.
The object of the writer, Lieu
enant Creel, .apears to be to secu
legislation looking to the exit
: punishment of the Indian ii,
(which he claims is very imperfe
, at best) to vast area Of count
y Lying in the northern part of t
n Territory of Dakota"
w1 lit failed to pass because it W
d too low down on calendar, unal
r. nous consent being asked a
~ would have passed with good m
D. jority, but some fool member fro
/. North Carolina tackled on a rid
!. which prevented consideration
e that time of this bill.)
o Took Lunch With President Arth
Failing to secure action on b
> f0pening this land for settlement
) then in company with Senate
y Plumb and Cockrell, and Represe
= tative "Sunset" Cox, a classmate
= my fathers, was fortunate enouI
to take lunch with President Arth
lat the White House, after lunche
i Aeld him khak M ho hnd <s.AoxA