Year: 1874




quite in accordance with the usual workings of
the Indian Department. When the Commissioners
returned on September 8 rom their trip to the
black Hills and down the White River they an
nounced that they had decided 10 locate the new
agency on Big White Clay Creek, above the cross
ing OF the Fort Randall road, and about eighteen
miles east Of the old site. This decision was not
received with general satisfaction by either In
dians whites or half-breeds, and everybody ap-
peared to have something 10 urge against such
change. The main Objectionable feature OF Big
White Clay appeared to be in the scarcity of
wood and water, as some OF the Old settlers
stat ed that the water would not hold good for
six months with such drain on It's resources as
the agency would create. 1t was also urged that
there was no timber Of any size within eight or
ten miles OF the proposed camp, and consequently
1t would be nearly impossible to erect winter
quarters before the winter season sci IN. AS 10
the quality or the water 1t was affirmed by people
who mad resided on the creek that after heavy
rain it became thick and muddy from the
washngs of the banks and side hills that IL was
unfit lor use. AL these unlavorable reports were
freely passed around and elected certain crln-
cisms on the action of the Commissioners, tending
to assert that tney were influenced IN
the selection OF such site with a view
TO reighting the agency stores from the



King sent word TO the commissioners that he was
going TO make two or three days trip through
the surrounding country with view to selecting
the military post, and that ne would be happy to
have them accompany him. The Rev. Mr. Hin
man and the agent, Major Howard, joined the
General and the party were out three days during
which time they visited the heads Of Shadern
Creek, Bordeaux Creek, Beaver Greek and Big
White Clay Greek, When they returned TO the
old camp 1t was rumored around that General King
had not quite such an exalted opinion of the
charms and resouTces Of Big White Gay, and was
In favor Of moving the agency and military post TO


THE HEAD OF BEAVER CREEK.


II appears that General King, after careful
examination Of Big White Clay, found it entirely
unsuitable for military post, as he did not con-
slider the water either in sufficient quantity or
healthy, and there was literally no wood within
easy access On the other hand, he discovered
two beautiful springs, one at the mead OF each
fork OF Beaver, and plenty OF good timber within
mile of where he designed to erect a post. The
feeling against this was so strong that one OF the
officers who accompanied General King on the trip
stated on his return that If MS command was
moved to Big White Clay he would re-
sign, as 1t was not healthy place to
live. Notwithstanding all these objections
IL was still reported that the Commissioners were
Determined to hold to their original intentions,
and that nothing could induce them 10 make a
cnange. On the afternoon OF the TN meeting
was held, at which General King, the agent the
Commissioners and Spotted Tan were present.
The latter gentleman was strongly opposed to
Big White Clay, and backed up by General King
arguments OF sostrong nature where put forward
BY the advocates OF Beaver that the Commissioners
weakened and had to give in. In order to show
Spotted Tall's opinion OF Big White Clay he
had fhn pnIga ubn had Inct
been favoring HIM with a poetic description
OF its many charms whether they had carefully
examined the sand hills. Everybody appears
pleased with the location at the head OF Beaver
Greek perhaps excepting one or two rancho men
who have buildings and hay in Big White Clay.
Speaking about the steady persistence with which
the Commissioners advocated the beauties OF Big
White Clay, many were OF opinion that there was
niger either in the wood pile or the hay pie !;
but those best informed in agency wire pulling
stated that the secret ay In ireghtng by the Mis-
S0urf.


Taking with General King, after everything was
satisfactorily settled learned that wnen Mr.. Hin
man, the Commissioner, heard the Generals objec-
tions to Big White Clay and arguments IN lavor or
Beaver he decided Immediately IN lavor OF the
latter The move to Beaver will be a saving 20 the
government IN future years, as, being so close TO
Piled at lower figures in luture contracts. III is
also proposed to open road direct TO Sidney,
which is supposed 10 be about lao miles distant,





Cheyenne.


COUNCIL AT THE AGENCY


On the afternoon or the Stn a council was held at
the agency ia order TO announce the proposed
move. General King the agent, Mayor Howard,
officers were present, and the Brules were repres-
ented Dy Spotted Tail Two Strike, Standing Elk,
Whlte'Ihunder, Black Crow, Blue Tomahawk, No
Flesh, Crazy in the Lodge, Battiste, swift Bear,
Blue Teeth, Little Pheasant and others. The
council was opened by Mr.. Hinman whose speech
was interpreted by half breed named Bordeaux.


Mr.. HINhAN said For long time it has been
thought at Washington this was not good place
for an agency, and last spring told you tnat, but
you said 1t was the best place in your country.
H., wrote your words to washington,
better place around this country, and
80 we came to find new place, and when we
vent away we told you we were going TO .ooK out
Tor new home. The Indians in Missouri have
permanent agency and are not moved about, Red
Cloud Is in settled home and has mis- buildings
wished to see the Brules settled down and made
comfortable. We have been thirty days looking
around this country and as lar east as the forks OF
the White River and TO the heads OF all the creeks
.emptying into the White River. We have also ex-
ne ne e OF e
careful examination OF all these places we deter
mined that Big White Clay was the best place
and large valley, TO plant corn. When we re-
turned home we met General King, and he thought
that Big White Clay was not o good place for his
soldiers; that it was TOO far away from wood and
that the water was bad We went out again with the
officers, and, after visiting Shadern and Bordeaux
We decided to place the agency and soldiers on
tue head OF Beaver Creek The agent has agreed,
,1soulets nave agreed and the commissioners have
..sefeed This Is permanent move and will not be
changed. Thinking over the matter believe IT Is
tLhe best place for the agency. IL Is in the
fSeure OF the country claimed by the Brue In
s1an 1t is not far or Spotted Tail to come
ant uraN hs ratops, and II is not far for those
ina i've oown the White River. Spotted TAU and
M nls naians would be able 10 live on Bordeaux and
cial srn and pant corn IN their valleys, and thar
wouh leave BIG White Clay TO the whites and half
breed anu wounded Knee to the Lower Brules
All the valley would then be occupied and the
agency 10 ~, 'He centre think that t5is is best, as
Big Wjnbe Gay would be as much 10 the East as
Shadern Is 10 the West Beaver IL In the centre
and as Is Is the best place we have located on IT,
nave taikeu mucn about this, O. led 10 do right,
and hopt.Ahl VIII accept II as a rnished matter and
10 open ,Vlestlon


sPoITED TAuis VIEWS.


SPOTTED @TAIL--What the Commissioners saw
we agree with. We are all very glad 20 near tbst
the agency viii be placed at the head OF geayer
because all the Indians have been wanting II
placed there and made permanent. This country
Il ours and we ought to nave II. Whites and nall.