USA > Minnesota > Renville County > The history of Renville County, Minnesota, Volume I > Part 14
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Township 116, range 33 (Osceola). The first claims were filed in 1865. William J. Foster, section 27, 28; Thomas Dryden, 33 and 34. 1866-C. H. Pettit, 13, 15, 17, 19, 23; William Pettit, 19. 21. 25; James A. Beaver, 20; James A. Beaver, 26, 27. 1867 -Aurelins Foss, 6; Gertrude Rank, 10. 1868-William Dawson, 10: Vincent D. Walsh, 14. 1871-Charles O. Peter, S; John S. Judd, 12. 1873-Ai Laflin, 2; Jeremiah S. Lillie, 4; Franklin Beibe. 12. 1876-Charles M. Stevens, 2; Henry J. Stevens, 4;
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HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY
James Lucas, Jr., 22: Michael Farrell, 24; James T. Incas, Sr., 32: Albertine Wolf, 34. 1877-Charles P. Barnard, 8: Michaella de Armes Dueras. 8: Lueretia F. Barrett, 8: James Rinehart, 22; Elam L. Ferry, 30; Charles H1. Ferry. 30. 1878- James MeLaren, 2, 4; Luther Daily, 22 : Benjamin F. Lindsley. 24: William Fulton, 24; Hamlin V. Poor, 30. 1879-Melville A. Slawson. 18. 1882- James A. Thom, 10: William T. Bower. 32. 1883-Thomas Mar- shall, 22. 1884-John A. Viek, 6; James M. Hibbard, 28. 1885- Charles Kenning, 18; Francis M. Daily, 34.
Township 115, range 31 (Preston Lake). The first claims in this township were filed in the years 1856 and 1857. October 3, 1856. section 3. S. T. Darby : October 3, 1856, section 11. J. A. Michael : October 3, 1856, sections 14, 15, H. L. Benson : November 6, 1857, sections 9, 10, Solomon Morrow. 1862-Lavinia Engle, 4. The first claims taken after the massacre were in 1864: Oliver S. Munsell, 25, 26: Simon P. Sowers. 26; Benjamin C. Smith, 27; Aaron R. Sowers, 27: Thomas JJ. Smith, 27, 28. 1865-1. E. and H. Thompson. 1. 2: Franklin J. Warren, 2; David Alway, 9; Helen E. Savage, 10, 15; Philip Shaw, 12; William A. Herring, 12; Robert Alway, 12; William Rosser, 21; Miriam C. Simons, 22; Betsy Miller, 24; Oliver S. Munsell, 25. 1866-John B. Down- erand, 1. 6; William S. Jackson, I, 6; Albert W. Drake, 2; Emma L. Munsell, 5. 6. 19: James O. Hatch. 5, 6, 8, 17; Iliram II. Davis, 7: C. W. Munsell. 8, 17, 29; Thomas M. Martin. 13; Lorenzo D. Gilbert. 15: James HI. Pennell. 18, 19, 31; bevi II. Bartlett, 21, 22. 28; James P. Dimmet, 21; Frank C. Griswold. 24: John L. Root. 30; W. H. Richardson, 35. 1867-Amanda Green, 2, 3; Thomas E. Chilson, 4, 9: David Chilson, 9, 10. 1870-William A. Herring, 11 : Minerva Warren, I5; Mary Kearn, 9. 1871-Robert Alway, 8: William Rosser, 14; Ansel A. Lyman, 22. 1872- Ansel A. Lyman, 22. 1873-George W. Hall, 2: George Maddock, 6: William W. Padden, 12: Elijah Honek, 14; George Reeks, 15; Levi Il. Bartlett, 28: Michael Engel, 30; John E. Jones. 32. 1874 -James A. Washburn. 4: Lyman Carr, 14; Henry F. Bartlett, 22. 1875-Allison Honek, 14; William Brickey, 18: Amos B. C. Douglass, 30. 1876- Francis Maddock. 8; Henry L. Hawes, 24; Gilbert Hl. Hawes, 24: Curtis Rowen. 30. 1877-George W. Braley, 10; John Borden, 20; Eldridge E. Champlin, 24: Charles W. Zarukee, 30. 1878-James Melaughlin. 34; Sylvanus II. Kel- log. 14. 1879-Mons Monson, 30; Erastus Jenkins, 13. 1880- William Matzdorf, 20. 1883-John L. Kelderhouse, 32; Sarah E. Robinson. 32; Frederick Gerber, 18; John E. Lewis, 18.
Township 114, range 33 (Palmyra). The first claims in this township were filed in 1873 by Thomas Dougherty in section 18; Bringel Tollifson in section 4, and John King in section 32. 1874 -David L. Green, 32. 1875-Aubin Tollifson, 4; Nels Ericson, 4: Eric Erieson, 8. 1876-Ammon Tollifson. 10: Solomon Berg-
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HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY
man, 22; Gustaf Anderson, 24: Per Anderson, 24; Karl Anderson, 24; George Carney, 32; John B. Anderson, 34; Andrew Jorgen- son, 34. 1877-Lewis J. Tinnes, 6: Sven Iverson Gjerald, 12; Anton Christianson, 14; Alexander JJohansen, 14; Ole A. Eriek- son, 14; Torkild Gronnernd, 20; Johanes Erikson, 20; Carl Hokan- son, 22; Swen Ahl, 22; Anton F. Jensen, 24; JJohan B. Johanson, 26: John Anderson, 26; Andrew Larson, 26; Denis bordan, 32. 1878-Lafe Lavesson, 8; Gilbert Matheson, 12; Johu Pederson, 20; Jolm Magnus Blad, 22: Analina Anderson, 34. 1879-Ole Knutson, 22; Torris Jacobson, 22; Nelson Reed, 28. 1880-Peter Erickson, 18; John F. Johnson, 24. 1881-Stork Erickson, 8; Carl A. Mork, 10; Peter Ericson, 18; John A. Johnson, 26; Ole Halverson, 30. 1882-Elias M. Erieson, 14; Lorens Erickson, 20; John Oleson, 30; Christopher Danielson, 32. 1883-John Peder- son, 12; Christian JJohnson, 30. 1884-Ole Tinnes, 6. 1885-Ole C. Nordskog, 18.
Township 115, range 37 (Sacred Heart). The first claim in this township was made June 9. 1871, by Ole B. Dahl, section 32. 1873-Nicholas M. Nelson, 12; William Tillisch, 26; John Haug, 28; Peter G. Peterson, 30: Carrie Johanneson, 32; Gilbert Syver- son, 32. 1874-Ole P. Rice, 20: heirs of Sophia Peterson, 26; Anders Danelson, 34; Peter Sundquist, 34; Lars Johan Berg, 34: Nils Nilson, 34; Hendrick Persson, 34; Eriek Erickson, 34. 1875 -Ilendrick Hendrickson, 6: John Erickson, 6: Thomas Olson, 6: Hendrick Olson, 6: Paul Erickson, 18: Johan W. Rise. 22; Ole S. Maurnd, 22; Angust W. Rise, 22; Ingeburd Peterson, 22; Stephen Olson, 26; Johan Olson, 26: Anders Jonasson, 26; Marem Anders Nognes 26: Ole Johanesson, 28: Embert Einerson, 28; Jacob Gaudmuson, 30; Eric Gunderson, 30; Ole Olson. 30. 1876 Ole Anderson, 12; John Oleson, 14; Kari Rise, 20; Marn Weimer, 22; Ole Sorensen, 24; Christina Lundquist, 34. 1877- Carl Hansen, 2; Halvor Hanson, 4; Ole Christophison, 6; Hendrick Hendrickson, 6; James Hanson, S; Johan HI. Nordby, 14; Simon Peterson, 14; Brent Christensen, 20; Christian Christensen, 20; Ole Erickson, 22; John Bergquist, 22: John M. Hohnberg, 24; Jones Grand, 24; Carl O. Holmberg, 24: P. JJ. Petterson, 24; Ole Nelson, 28; Peter Christenson, 30: Christopher Oleson, 30; Ole Christopherson, 30: John Sundquist. 34. 1878-Halver Chris- tensen, 8; Hans O. Field, 8; Hans Halverson, 8; Knud Olsen Boe, 10: Abraham Larson, 10; Tobias Hanson, 10; Lars Frederickson, 10; Charles C. Johnson, 10: Ole S. Ostagaard, 12; Ilaagan Ilaa- gansen, 14; Ever Gunderson, 18; Paul Erickson, 18; Anders Anderson, 18; Erick Johnson, 18: John Johnson, 18; Andrew Halverson, 18: Halver Christensen, 18; Brede Christensen, 20; John Peterson, 20; Henry Hendrickson, 20. 1879-Guliek Nilson, 2; Knudt Nilson. 2: Knud Asmundson, 4; Ole Syverson Eng. 8; B. Iloganson, 18; Joseph Anderson, 24: Paul Erickson, 24;
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HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY
Frederick Schrader, 26: Ole Olsen, 31: Maria Johnson, 32; Peter Oslie, 32: Kittil Gullickson, 32. 1880-Aslack Asmindson, 4: Gunnerins Martinson, 8; Bersvend S. Hagen, 8; Ole Amundsen, 12: John Johnson. 14: John Hang, 28 : Ole Johaneson, 28; Hendrik Berg. 2s. 1881-Peter B. Olson, 12: Ole Anderson, 12: Berger Skjønneson. 14. 1882-Ole Olson. 4. 1883-Peter Oleson. 2: Finger Christopherson, 4: Ole Syverson Eng. 8. 1885-Majestina Swanson, 2.
Township 114, range 37 (Sacred Heart). The first claim was filed in 1868 by Francis Stay, in section 6. 1870-John O. Paine. 12. 13. 1869-Thor Helgeson, 5: Dortus L. Green. 8: Chris- tianson Charleston, 8: William F. Van Deyer, 13; Christian Gort- ter. 13: Daniel Ames, 24. 1871-Heliek Olson, 5; Thomas Olson, 5: Ole B. Dahl. 5: Bartel Larson, 6; Ole Heliekson. 6. 7: Thomas Halvorson, 7. 8: Ole S. Reishus. 6. 1872-Samuel Burnell. 12. 1873-Herman Halvorson, 4: Christian Christenson, 6: Iver Iver- son, 6: German P. Green. 8: Dortus L. Green, 8; Nelson W. Brooks. 12: Loanna O'Brien, 14; William Beckman. 14; James P. Okens, 14: Charlotte Okens, 14: Alfred P. Hale, 14; John Nor- man. 14. 1574-Jone Enestvedt, 10: Nellie Enestvedt. 10: Wil- liam -lansen. 12: Samuel Daniell, 14; Turae Horganson, 22. 1875 -Gunder Sorenson, 2: Thor Sorenson, 2: Christian Olson, 2; Ole Olson. 2: John Olson, 2: John Beekman, 2; Peder Olson, 10: Phebe Brooks, 12. 1876-Emma Wilson, 2: Nils Christian Emil Lilleby. 12: James P. Okens. 14; Peter Thommesson, 22. 1877- llans Peter Olson Lillejord, 4: Andres Samuelson, 4: Mathias Samuelson. 4: Peter Peterson, 4; bars Erickson, 4. 1878-Eliza- beth Peterson. 2: Annie Land, 10: Charles G. Johnson. 12. 1879 -Mikkal Haagensen. 4: Nels Olsen, 4: Peter Martenson, 9; Ole O. Enstvedt. 10. 15: Ole Anderson, 22. 1880-Peder Gunderson, 4: Lars Pederson. 10: Lars Larson Rude, 22; Halver Anderson, 22: Erick Nielson, 24. 1884-Annie Tostenson, 5. 1885-Maria Johnson, 5.
Township 115, range 35 (Troy). The first claim was filed in 1873 by David R. Culver in section 22. 1874-Jonathan White, 24. 1875-Henry buscher, 8: James D. White, 22. 1877-Iva J. Everson, 14: Amos Casey, 32. 1878-Jotham W. Hodsdon. 14; Orrin E. Buxton, 14; Thomas II. Risinger, 22; Charles Waldo, 24; Peter Miller, 24: Dennis Haley. 26: August Schendel, 30. 1879-Paul Seeger, 18: James Heaney, 34. 1880-Jotham W. Hodsdon, 14: Wilhelm Reck, 20: Ferdinand Fritz, 32. 188F- John E. W. Peterson, 2: Gustav Reiek, 20: Frank Heaney, 26; Joseph B. Converse, 28. 1882-Frank McCormick, 6: Andrew MeCormick. 6: James Flanegan, 26; Herman Fritz, 32: Fred- erick Fritz, 32. 1883-Pear Olson. 2: R. Peter Peterson, 12; Michael (Henn, 26; Johnston W. Lowry, 30. 1884-Benjamin F. Byers. 6: Robert Stelter, IS: William Schoregge, 34.
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HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY
Township 113, range 32 (Wellington). The first claim on this township was filed by Willis W. Countryman September 20, 1872, section 32. 1873-Denis Cready, 30; William Chalk, 32. 1874- William Fahey, 18. 1875-Marshall Blodget, 2; John Garihy, 32. 1876-Ellen Malone, 30; JJohn Murphy, 34. 1878-Edward llana, 6: Ferdinand Hinzman, 14; August Fritz, 14; Patrick Fahey, 18; JJames Larkin, 28: Patrick barkin, 28. 1881-Albert Kiecker. 22: William Carson, 22; Michael Coleman, 28. 1882- Bernhard IleJwig. 12: Patrick Larkin. 28: Julius Sell, 34: Wil- helm Maneke, 2; Fritz Maneke, 2; Wilhelm Freyholtz, 24. 1883 -Karl Hillmann, 10; Julius Kiccker, 10; Peter Schoffka, 12; Her- man Kiecker. 26. 1884-Edward Rodgers. 6; Fredriek Kiceker, 10; James Ruddy, 20; Carl Baldwan, 26; William Borth, 34.
Township 116, range 35 (Winfield). The first elaim was filed in this township on April 17, 1869, by Christian Michael in sec- tion 18. 1870-F. A. Atwater, 18. 1877-Friedrich Zine, 28; Carl Henning, 30. 1878-Erick Lindquist, 2: Tidemand Ulrick- son. 4; Nils A. Nilson, 14; Ulrick Julson, 14. 1879-John Eriek- son. 2: John Snickare, 22. 1880-Jul Ulrickson, 4; D. John John- son. 22: Falkert Hendricks, 30. 1882-Hans P. Olson, 22; Ole Julsen. 24. 1883-Gustav Herrmann, 30; George P. Wilson, 32. 1884-Kristina Anderson, 22; John M. Anderson, 26; Emamel Palmlund, 26: Ferdinand Zinne, 28. 1885-Fritz Dietman, 20; John Kether, 32.
Township 116, range 35 (Winfield). The first claims were filed in 1869. Christian Michael, section 18: William Buethe, section 32; James T. Knauf, section 34; Peter N. Nystrom, sec- tion 34: Ferdinand Herrmann. section 34. 1870-F. A. Atwater, 18. 1877-Friedrick Zinne, 28; Carl Henning, 30. 1878-Erick Lindquist, 2: Erick Erickson, 2; Tidemand Ulrickson, 4; Nils A. Nilson, 14; Ulrick Julson, 14. 1879-John Erickson, 2; Jolm Snickare, 22. 1880-Inl Ulrickson, 4; D. John Johnson, 22; Falkert IFenricks, 30. 1882 Hans P. Olson, 22; Erik Janson, 22; Andro Erickkson, 22: Urick Julson, 24. 1883-Gustav Herr- mann, 30; George P. Wilson, 32. 1884-Kristina Anderson, 22; Jolin M. Anderson. 26; Emanuel Pahnund, 26; John Miller, 26; Ole Hedberg, 26; Anders Renstrom, 26. 1885-Fritz Dietman, 20; Carl Henning. 30; John Kether, 32.
Township 116, range 38 (Wang). The first claims on this township were filed by Ingebraa J. Osnes November 1, 1871, see- tion 30, and Christian Engbertson, July 10, 1871, section 33. 1873 -Andrew Anderson, 32; Hans Olsen, 33; Andrew E. Rogen, 34; Ole Thomason, 2; John Brown, 6. 1874-Sever Christopherson, 6. 1875-Edgar Lampman. 4; Gilbert Johnson, 34. 1876-Wil- liam J. Smith, 6: Ole Ackerland, 18; Ole Oleson, 18; Lars Eng- bretson, 20; Jens Christopherson, 20; Isaac Abrahamson, 20; Jacob Hanson, 20; Iver Nystuen, 26; P. A. Stenborg, 26. 1877-
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HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY
Ole H. Husebye, 4: Ole H. Holin. 1878-Knud Anderson, 6; Ole Christopherson, 10: Hans Johnson, 12; Syverth Gattornusen, 14; Christian Jonsen, 20; Lorutz Peterson, 20; Halvor Sibilrud, 20; Thomas Heurekson, 26: Mathias Magnusen, 32; Christian Evan- son, 34. 1879-Anders O. Etton, 4; Christopher Hutchins. 6; Ingelbreekt Thomson. 8; Hans Anderson, 10; Ole O. Belsem. 10; John Thor. 12: Ole K. Williams, 12; Fosten Olson, 14; Knud Knudson, 14; Elling Johnson, 14: Christian Arestad, 18; Ilalvor A. Skjoggerud. 20: Christian Olsen, 21; Lars Gunderson, 22. 1879-Thomas Christofferson. 22; Christian Toegersen, 28; Ole Erickson. 28: Charl Pettersen, 28; Ole E. Rogn, 28; Ole Elefson, 32; Peter Johnson, 32; Eudre E. Rogen, 34. 1880-Lars J. Fryk- lund. 12; Erick Erickson, 12: Ole O. Strand, 12: Helge Evanson, 14: Jens Olson, 22; Andrew Helgeson, 24: Anders Thomason Kjersten, 26; Gulliek Helgesen, 30: Loruts J. Romoe, 30; Knud Anderson, 34. 1881-Thom Eingbrienson, 8; Andrew Anderson, 10. 1882-Ole O. Groo, 4; Ole Nelson. 10; John Peterson, 10; Thrond O. Kattevold. 18; Everet M. Strand, 22. 1883-Andrew T. Ellingboe, 4; Thrond 1. Ellinghoe, 4; George C. Heen, 8; Chris- topher Gulbranson, S.
CHAPTER IN. CAUSES OF THE OUTBREAK.
Early Friendship-Dissatisfaction with Treaties-Unjust Treat- ment-Inkpadoota Massacre-Officials Demand that Indians Capture Renegades-Little Crow to the Rescue-Delayed Payments in 1862-Indians Starving-Stupidity of Agent- Indians Turbulent-March and Sheehan to the Rescue.
The Sioux outbreak was the culmination of a long series of injustices toward the Indians on the part of the whites. De- banched, defrauded. degraded; forced by fear of the strength of the whites, and by misrepresentations, to dispose of their lands ; herded together on reservations; treated by the whites as half- witted children, cheated by the traders and starved by the stu- pidity of high officials at Washington, who, in addition to the unfair provisions of unjust treaties, imposed additional con- ditions : the Indians, knowing the revenge that the whites would take for a murder already committed by some renegade braves, arose in their might, and for a time nearly succeeded in regaining their hereditary holdings.
The relations of the Sioux Indians to the white trespassers on their lands were of a friendly nature from the time of the arrival of the first white explorer. Adventurers and traders came and went at will. The French, true to their policy, made
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HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY
friends with the Sioux, and the English followed their example. So deep was the friendship existing between the Sioux and the British that they fought side by side in the Revolutionary War and in the War of 1812.
With the people of the United States the Sioux were no less tolerant, and until the great outbreak they remained faithful to the obligations of the treaty they made with Zebulon M. Pike, in 1805, with the exception already mentioned of a short period during the War of 1812, when the Sioux, knowing little of the Americans, and remembering their many obligations to the English, took up arms in behalf of the British king. Even dur- ing that period Red Wing's band remained loyal to the Stars and Stripes.
There were, of course, isolated cases in which individual Sioux warriors wrought revenge for injuries received, just as there are illegal aets committed in eivilized white communities. The despoiling of the French adventurers who, naked and bruised, sought shelter in LeSueur's fort near Mankato in the winter of 1700-01 : the murder of Pagonta, "the Mallard Duck," at Men- dota by Ix-ka-tapay in 1761 ; the murder of the two cattle drovers by a few wild Sisseton Sionx near Big Stone lake in 1846; the killing of Elijah S. Terry by men of the same tribe near Pem- bina in 1852; the shooting in October of the latter year of Mrs. Keener by Zy-yah-se were offenses in which the Sioux as a nation had no part, for which the perpetrators only were responsible. In faet the Sioux boasted up to the time of the outbreak that never in all history had a white man been injured in the Sioux country with the approval of the Sioux as a people.
Gradually, however, discontent grew up between the Indians and the whites, though an outward friendliness was maintained. The real causes of the final outbreak were the Treaties of 1851. The Sionx did not want to give up their land. They desired to live as they had lived through the countless centuries. In signing the treaties which relinquished their lands and condemned them- selves to a practical imprisonment on a reservation, the Sioux were bowing to the inevitable.
Probably if the treaties had merely provided for the transfer of their lands to the whites for a certain amount and the amount had been paid the Indians would have made the best of a bad bargain and on their reservations they might as time progressed have worked out their own problem. But there were many other provisions in the treaties.
By the treaty of Traverse des Sioux, dated July 23, 1851, between the United States and the Sissetons and Wapatons, $275.000 were to be paid their chiefs, and a further sum of $30,000 was to be expended for their benefit in Indian improve- ments. By the treaty of Mendota, dated August 5, 1851, the
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HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY
Medawakantons and Wapakutas were to receive the sum of $200.000. to be paid to their chief, and for an improvement fund the further suum of $30.000. Annuities were also to be paid for a certain number of years. The several sums, which were to become payable when the Indians reached their reservations, amounting in the aggregate to $555,000. These Indians, to whom they were payable, claimed they were never paid, except, per- haps. a small portion expended in improvements on the reserva- tions. They became dissatisfied. and expressed their views in council freely with the agent of the government.
In 1857. the Indian department at Washington sent out Major Kintzing Priehette, a man of great experience, to inquire into the cause of this disaffection towards the government. In his report of that year, made to the Indian department, Major Prichette says :
"The complaint which runs through all their couneils points to the imperfeet performance, or non-fulfillment of treaty stipu- lations. Whether these were well or ill founded it is not my province to discuss. That such a belief prevails among them, impairing their confidence and good faith in the government, cannot be questioned."
In one of these councils Jagmani said : "The Indians sold their lands at Traverse des Sioux. I say what we were told. For fifty years they were to be paid $50,000 per annum. We were also promised $305.000, and that we have not seen." Mapipa Wicasta (Cloud Mani, second chief of JJagmani's band, said: "At the treaty of Traverse des Sioux, $275,000 were to be paid them when they came upon their reservation ; they desired to know what had become of it. Every white man knows that they have been five years upon their reservation, and have yet heard nothing of it."
When the treatment of the Indians became widely known the government could no longer cover up the matter and decided to appoint Judge Young to investigate the charges made against the governor, of the then Minnesota territory, then acting, ex- officio, as superintendent of Indian affairs for that locality. Some short extraets from Judge Young's report are here presented :
"The governor is next charged with having paid over the greater part of the money, appropriated under the fourth artiele of the treaty of July 23 and August 5. 1851. to one Hugh Tyler, for payment or distribution to the 'traders' and 'half-breeds,' contrary to the wishes and remonstrances of the Indians, and in violation of law and the stipulations contained in said treaties ; and also in violation of his own solemn pledges, personally made to them, in regard to said payments.
"Of $275,000 stipulated to be paid under the first clanse of the fourth article of the treaty of Traverse des Sioux, of July 24, 1851. the sum of $250,000 was delivered over to Hugh Tyler,
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HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY
by the governor, for distribution among the 'traders' and half- breeds,' according to the arrangement made by the schedule of the Traders' Paper, dated at Traverse des Sioux, July 23, 1851." (This was the paper which the Indians deelared they were told was merely another copy of the treaty .- Ed.)
"For this large sum of money, Hugh Tyler executed two receipts to the governor, as the attorney for the 'traders' and 'half-breeds;' the one for $210,000 on account of the 'traders,' and the other for $40,000 on account of the 'half-breeds;' the first dated at St. Paul, December 8, 1852, and the second at Men- dota, December 11, 1852."
"And of the sum of $110,000, stipulated to be paid to the Medawakantons, under the fourth article of the treaty of August 5, 1851, the sum of $70,000 was in like manner paid over to the said Tyler. on a power of attorney exeented to him by the traders and elaimants, under the said treaty, on December 11. 1852. The receipts of the said Tyler to the governor for this money, $70,000, is dated at St. Paul, December 13, 1852, making together the sum of $320,000. This has been shown to have been contrary to the wishes and remonstrances of a large majority of the Indians." And Judge Young adds: "It is also believed to be in violation of the treaty stipulations, as well as the law making the appro- priations under them."
These several sums of money were to be paid to these Indians in open council, and soon after they were on their reservations provided for them by the treaties. In these matters the report shows they were not consulted at all, in open council; but on the contrary, that arbitrary divisions and distributions were made of the entire fund, and their right denied to direct the manner in which they should be appropriated. (See Aets of Congress, August 30, 1852.)
The Indians claimed, also, that the third seetion of the aet was violated, as by that seetion the appropriations therein referred to, should, in every instance, be paid directly to the Indians them- selves, to whom it should be due, or to the tribe, or part of the tribe, per capita, "unless otherwise the imperious interests of the Indians or some treaty stipulation should require the payment to be made otherwise, under the direction of the president."? This money was never so paid. The report further states that a large sum, "$55,000, was deducted by IIngh Tyler by way of discount and pereentage on gross amount of payments, and that these exactions were made both from traders and half-breeds, without any previous agreement, in many instances, and in such a way, in some, as to make the impression that unless they were submitted to, no payments would be made to such claimants at all."'
And, finally the report says, that from the testimony it was
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HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY
evident that the money was not paid to the chiefs, either to the Sisseton, Wapaton or Medawakanton bands, as they in open conneil requested ; but that they were compelled to submit to this mode of payment to the traders, otherwise no payment would be made, and the money would be returned to Washington : so that in violation of law they were compelled to comply with the gov- ernor's terms of payment, according to Hugh Tyler's power of attorney.
The examination of this complaint, on the part of the Indians, by the Senate of the United States, resulted in "whitewashing" the governor of Minnesota (Governor Alexander Ramsey). vet the Indians were not satisfied with the treatment they had received in this matter by the accredited agents of the govern- ment.
Neither were the Indians satisfied wtih the annual payments. They had desired that they receive the money promptly and in cash. Instead they received part of it in provisions, which gave the whites many opportunities for taking advantage of them, the market vahte of the provisions never being equal to the amount which was taken out of the Indian Find to pay for them. The Indians rightfully felt that they should be given the money and allowed to do the purchasing themselves.
Then, too, a certain amount of the money due the Indians each year was devoted to a "civilization find." that is, for agency expenses, erecting ageney buildings, paying agents, teach- ers, Farmers, missionaries and the like. thus making another drain on an already small sin. The Indian could not view with calmness the luxury in which the whites were living on money which rightfully belonged to the Indian, while the Indian him- self was living in utmost poverty, shut off from the rich sweeps of land where he had formerly received his sustenance.
The action of the government in regard to the Inkpadoota massacre, so called. added force to the smouldering dissatisfac- tion. The Indians guilty of this tragedy were formerly members of Sionx bands, but their own aets. in many cases murder of com- panions and relatives, had shut them off from their own people, so at the time of the 1857 outrage they were renegades, outlaws. whose crimes against their own kinsmen had been such that the Sioux had driven them forth to wander the prairies like savage wolves, hated alike by Indian and Caneasian.
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