USA > South Dakota > History of Dakota Territory, volume I > Part 61
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Continuing the grasshopper topic it seems appropriate to remark that the disastrous results of a grasshopper visitation were not confined to the single season where they came in to feast on the farmer's growing corn and the house- wife's snowy linen hung out to dry. It was the custom of the female insect, on such occasions, to deposit her score of eggs in the soil of our Dakota farms. In the early spring these eggs would hatch and the earth would be literally covered with the tiny wingless hoppers who would not stray far from their birthplace, but were so numerous and ravenous that they would devour the tender blades of wheat and oats, and garden stuff as rapidly as it appeared above the ground. Not a spear could be grown that season in fields so afflicted, the scourge remain- ing until their wings had grown before departing. Many devices were invented and used to prevent or minimize the destruction they entailed, the most effective being the construction of a ditch about twelve inches deep and two feet wide across the entire field. The farmer with his family and all the help he could muster would then start in at the opposite side and armed with bushes, proceed to drive the insects toward the ditch, where, once safely in they would be unable to hop out. It was a long, tedious and difficult task, but many farmers suc- ceeded in saving half their crop at least by a resort to this device. Finally the
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field would be practically cleared of the insects and the ditch would be partially filled with them. Coal oil was then poured into the ditch in liberal quantity and a lighted match applied ; and for a week after the atmosphere in that neighbor- hood would be heavy with the odor of the holocaust.
Where the insect was permitted to mature, it would follow the example of its parent, mount into the air on its newly-grown wings and fly away toward the rising sun. Within the brief space of a few hours a section of country covering several townships, where the hatching had been done, and where the crops had been nibbled down, would be entirely free of the pest, and generally in season to mature a crop of corn. Following their departure, after a reason- able time elapsed, reports would float back to us of a Dakota grasshopper raid in some portion of the country east that caused great destruction to growing crops, and in this instance the grasshoppers were in all probability native here and to the manor born, and they would probably repeat the egg depositing process in the section where they alighted. It was observed that the rank and ferocious nature of this insect became modified as they migrated eastward. The Dakota hopper was not as voracious and destructive as its parent, the Rocky Mountain locust, nor as hard and long and brown as that insect, but had a greenish hue and resembled more the ordinary grasshopper that infests all sections of the eastern states and has for a century. It was said that the soil and climate were the agents that produced this improvement, which must have been greatly aided by the incubation of a third generation in the high-toned dirt of Iowa, while another stride would be taken in Illinois the following sea- son in bringing forth a still more attractive and innocuous insect.
Lieut. G. K. Warren, of the United States topographical engineers, under date of January 21, 1858, reported his explorations in Nebraska and the Black Hills of Dakota. He mentions as a serious drawback to the occupation of Western Nebraska by farmers, the grasshoppers that occasionally destroy the useful vegetation. He says :
Often they fill the air for many miles of extent so that an experienced eye can scarce distinguish their appearance from that of a shower of rain or the smoke of a prairie fire. The height of their flight may be somewhat appreciated as one party named James saw them above his head as far as their size would render them visible while standing on top of a peak of the Rocky Mountains 8,500 feet above the level of the plains, and at an elevation of 14,500 feet above that of the sea, in the region where the snow lies all the year. To a person standing in one of these swarms as they pass over and around him, the air becomes sensibly darkened and the sound produced by their wings resembles that of the passage of a train of cars on a railroad when standing 200 or 300 yards from the track. The Mormon settlements have suffered more from the ravages of these insects than probably all other causes combined. They destroyed nearly all the vegetables cultivated last year at Fort Randall and extended their ravages cast as far as Iowa.
WINNEBAGO INDIANS REMOVE
The Winnebago Indians, who had been removed from Minnesota and placed upon a reservation at Crow Creek with the Santees, had found life with the wild Sioux unbearable, and had been gradually deserting the reservation for that of the Omahas, with whom they claimed kinship. This Omaha reserva- tion is above Omaha, in Nebraska. Many of these deserters were halted by the troops, who were scouting through the country, and marched to Fort Randall, where they were confined a few days as a punishment for violating the mili- tary order prohibiting Indians from leaving the reservation. They invariably set up a tearful complaint of the hardships they endured in the Sioux country, but as the military authorities had no discretion to change their location. they were advised to apply to the "Great Father" for relief ; and would then be sent back to their reservation. Hundreds of these, however, succeeded in eluding the troops and reaching the Omahas. The Winnebago complaint was known to be based on facts, and no change for the better could be expected while they were where they could be annoyed by the Sioux, who envied them because they
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received annuities, and despised them because they would not fight the whites. A reservation was finally procured for them near their kinsmen in Nebraska. and in 1865 they were again transplanted, but they have materially deteriorated on Nebraska soil, and have become almost a reproach to the race, while the Santees, who shared the first reservation with them, have emerged into a civil- ized and industrious people.
HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION AND LECTURES
The first meeting held under the charter of the "Old Settlers' Historical Association" was on the evening of the Ist day of January, 1863, at the council chamber in the capitol buikling. Hon. D. T. Bramble was elected president ; James Tufts and James McFetridge, vice presidents, and James M. Allen and John H. Shober, secretaries. Addresses were made by Hon. M. H. Somers, of Cole County, and Hon. H. A. Kennerly, of Charles Mix, both members of the Legislature then in session, and also by Mr. Henry C. Ash, the pioneer land- lord of Yankton, who set forth the purposes of the association and the value its work would contribute to the future inhabitants of Dakota. Mr. Shober and Judge Tufts also spoke briefly. No business other than the election of the offi- cers was transacted, and after the speeches were concluded the old settlers ad- journed until the 8th inst., and there is no record that the association ever held another meeting.
A serious defect in the incorporation act of this association was its failure to provide an association fund, and, second, limiting its membership to citizens who came to the territory prior to the passage of the organic aet. This be- came apparent when in June, 1863, eleven boxes of books containing over five hundred volumes, sent from the Interior Department, reached Yankton, ad- dressed to the "President of the Old Settlers' Historical Association," on which the freight was $124.50.
The society had no money, and the Gregory Bros. received the books and paid the amount, holding the books in their possession.
A preliminary organization of a new association was effected at a meeting held at Gregory Bros.' store on the 25th day of May, 1863, when Enos Stutsman was made chairman, and James Tufts secretary. This movement was favored by the charter members of the "Old Settlers' Historical Association" who were present. Accordingly, the following articles were drawn up and signed, to-wit :
Formation of Dakota Historical and Library Association. We the undersigned citizens of the Territory of Dakota do hereby constitute ourselves an association under the name and title of the "Dakota Historical and Library Association." The officers of this asso- ciation shall consist of a president, two vice presidents, one secretary, one treasurer and one librarian. Every person becoming a member of this association shall pay to the treasurer of the same an initiation fee of five dollars. Whenever thirty persons shall have signed their names to this article and have paid the amount herein designated to J. Shaw Gregory, the said J. Shaw Gregory shall call a meeting of said association in the Town of Yankton, giving at least ten days' public notice of the time and place of the said meeting by having the same published in the Dakotan. Each of the signers hereto paid $5.00, to-wit :- P. Bliss, W. E. Gleason, J. Shaw Gregory, H. C. Ash, D. T. Bramble, M. K. Armstrong, E. Stuts- man, J. Hutchinson, B. M. Smith, Samuel Grant, Henry E. Gregory, James Tufts, George W. Kingsbury, Melanchton Hoyt, J. K. Fowler, J. R. Hanson, C. F. Picotte, J. B. S. Todd, George N. Propper, G. W. Pinney, N. Edmunds.
These payments totaled $105.00, and shortly after W. P. Lyman, N. G. P. Booge. C. C. P. Meyer, C. E. Rowley, John Lawrence, George l'. Waldron, making in all $135.00. It was also resolved at this meeting to apply for an act of incorporation to the next Legislature, and the following named gentlemen were appointed a committee to report rules and by-laws, to be acted upon at the next meeting, to-wit: Enos Stutsman, Jesse Wherry, D. T. Bramble, Rev. M. Hoyt. J. Shaw Gregory, M. K. Armstrong, James Tufts, G. W. Kingsbury. The meeting then adjourned subject to the call of the president.
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On November 10, 1863, a meeting was called at which the Committee on By-Laws and Rules reported. This meeting was held in Gregory Bros.' store on Broadway. Those present were Rev. Melancthon lloyt, J. Shaw Gregory, Henry E. Gregory, Capt. William Tripp, Gov. Newton Edmunds, Byron M. Smith and George W. Kingsbury. It was resolved to effect a temporary organi- zation at this meeting, and through the officers apply to the Legislature for a legal organization. Reverend Doctor Hoyt was chosen president; Byron M. Smith, secretary; Henry E. Gregory, treasurer, and Enos Stutsman, librarian. These officers were constituted an executive committee and authorized to pro- vide a course of lectures for the ensuing winter, whereupon the meeting ad- journed.
At the ensuing session of the Legislature, the following act incorporating the historical society was passed :
AN ACT INCORPORATING THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF DAKOTA
Be it Enacted by the Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Dakota :-
Section 1. That Newton Edmunds, Philemon Bliss, Melanchton Hoyt, William E. Gleason, Henry C. Ash, D. T. Bramble, M. K. Armstrong, llenry E. Gregory, James Tuits, J. K. Fowler, J. R. Hanson, J. W. Evans, W. N. Collamer, Charles F. Picotte, John Hutchin- son, William Jayne, A. W. Hubbard, J. B. S. Todd, B. M. Smith, George N. Propper, Samuel Grant, James M. Allen, John Ml. Allen, John W. Boyle. G. 31. Pinney, C. P. Booge, William Tripp. George P. Waldron, B. C. Fowler, M. M. Mattheison, Walter A. Burleigh, A. J. Faulk, Hugh Compton, Franklin Taylor, Lassa Bothun, George W. Kingsbury, James M. Stone, Enos Stutsman, J. Shaw Gregory, John J. Thompson, John Mathers, John (). Taylor, Milton M. Rich, Daniel P. Bradford, Ezra M. Bond, Ole Bottolison, Wilmot W. Brookings, Henry Brooks, Ilalvor Burgess, A. C. Curtis, Albert Gore, B. A. Ilill, J. B. Ilubbell, Peter Kegan, John Lawrence, Kund Larson, L. H. Litchfield, Asa Mattison, G. W. Pratt, Washington Reed, P. 11. Risling, Duncan Ross, William Shriner, E. W. Wall, Jesse Wherry. A. W. Puett, Mahlon Gore, Charles F. Rossteuscher, A. K. Curtis, Almore Gore. David Fisher, and their associates and successors be and are hereby constituted a body politic and corporate. to all intents and purposes, by the name of the "Historical Society of Dakota," and by that name may sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, answer and be answered unto; may purchase and receive and own books, pamphlets, statuary and other materials and collections illustrative of the territory and of the history of Dakota, amounting in value to a sum without a limit; and may purchase and receive, hold and convey real property to any amount not exceeding $20,000; and may lease, grant, mortgage, sell and convey, or otherwise dispose of the same for the use and benefit of the society ; and to receive donations and to apply the same as the donor or donors may direct : and to devise and keep a common seal with the right to alter the same at pleasure; and to make, adopt and enforce such constitution, by-laws, rules and regulations as the society may choose, and to transfer and turn over to the Historical Society of Dakota all books, documents, pamphlets, etc., owned or claimed by the said "Old Settlers' llistorical Association."
The remaining ten sections stated the objects of the society: an annual meeting was provided for; transferring to this association the records and property of the "Old Settlers' Historical Association": exemption from taxation. The association gave weekly entertainments during the winter of 1863 in the form of lectures. Hon. M. K. Armstrong opened the course with an ad- dress on the "Early Settlement of Dakota." He was followed by United States Marshal George M. Pinney, who spoke on the theory of our state polity; next was Judge Philemon Bliss, who discoursed on the philosophy of the Declara- tion of Independence. The concluding lecture for the winter was given by Reverend Mr. Tingley, subject, "The Different Races of Men." These enter- tainments were moderately patronized, there being an admission fee for gentle- men of 25 cents, ladies free. The money was to pay the expense of caring for the territorial library. The Legislature of 1803 passed an act entitled "An Act to Incorporate the Historical Society of Dakota." This act served to unite the Old Settlers' Historical Association and the recent Historical and Library Association,
On New Year's Day. 1864, the incorporators mel at the capitol building and effected a permanent organization by the election of the following officers: Newton Edmunds, president ; J. O. Taylor, A. J. Faulk, vice presidents; M. K.
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Armstrong, secretary; George W. Kingsbury, treasurer; George N. Propper, librarian. A constitution for the society presented by Hon. Enos Stutsman was adopted. It provided, first, that the title of the association should be the "Historical Society of Dakota." The second, third, fourth and fifth articles related to membership. Any person could become a member by making appli- cation to the executive board and paying the initiation fee of $5.00. The annual dues were $1.00. Honorary members were provided for. Article 6 defined the objects of the association, the principal one being to collect, embody and preserve in an authentic form materials for the future history of the territory. Articles 7 to II, inclusive, provided for the election of a president, two vice presidents, secretary, treasurer and librarian, and defined their duties. Articles 12 to 14 constituted the officers an executive board to manage all its affairs, four members to constitute a quorum. They had power to pass on all applications for membership, subject to the approval of the association. Articles 15 to 17 fixed the time of the annual meeting for the elec- tion of officers on the first Tuesday of December in each year. No member was eligible to office or to vote who had not paid his dues. The adoption of this constitution closed the business of the annual meeting and it adjourned to De- cember, 1864.
During the winter of 1863-64 the series of lectures was continued for the entertainment of the legislators, when the society, having succeeded in securing a solid footing financially and the popular support, postponed its lectures to December, 1864, when we shall have occasion to make further reference to it.
The society held its annual meeting at the capitol building in Yankton on the 19th day of December, 1865, on which occasion the secretary, Hon. M. K. Armstrong, submitted a report embodying a sketch of the various steps that had been taken since the organization of the territory to found an historical society, and including a list of the lectures and their subjects given before the various societies. This report is here given :
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF DAKOTA
(Incorporated December 24, 1863.)
March 4, 1865. OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE BOARD
J. Shaw Gregory, president ; Enos Stutsman, Melanchton Hoyt, vice presidents; M. K. Armstrong, secretary; G. W. Kingsbury, treasurer ; J. R. Hanson, librarian.
ACTIVE MEMBERS.
P. Bliss, chief justice, Dakota; W. E. Gleason, attorney general, Dakota; J. B. S. Todd, delegate, Dakota; J. Hutchinson, secretary, Dakota; George M. Pinney, United States marshal, Dakota; W. W. Brookings, speaker of the house, Yankton; Charles P. Booge, adjutant general, Yankton; James Tufts, speaker of house, Montana Territory; George N. Propper, secretary of council, Yankton; B. M. Smith, chief clerk provost marshal's office, Dakota; D. T. Bramble, pioneer merchant, Yankton; H. C. Ash, pioneer landlord, Yankton; C. F. Picotte, born in Dakota, 1830, Yankton ; C. C. P. Meyer, United States deputy surveyor, Yankton; James E. Booge, merchant, Sioux City; W. P. Lyman, first white settler in Yankton County ; Newton Edmunds, governor, Dakota ; George P. Waldron, provost marshal, Dakota; J. Shaw Gregory, councilman, Todd County; E. Stutsman, president of council, Yankton County; G. W. Kingsbury, public printer, Yankton; J. R. Hanson, representative, Yankton; John Lawrence, representative, Yankton; M. M. Matthiesen, representative, Yank- ton; M. Hoyt, clergyman, Yankton; M. K. Armstrong, clerk United States Court, Yankton; H. E. Gregory, merchant, Yankton; J. K. Fowler, first lieutenant Company A, Dakota Cavalry: Samuel Grant, territorial auditor, Yankton; J. S. Foster, territorial superintendent of schools, Yankton; J. W. Evans, deputy provost marshal, Yankton; C. E. Rowley, treasurer Black Hills Company, Bon Homme.
No further meetings were held during the year until the annual meeting on the 7th of December, 1864, when the series of lectures was again resumed under the direction of the new executive board. The retiring officers of the preceeding year received a vote of thanks from the association for the zeal and devotion they had manifested in its early organization and prosperity.
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The following is a list of all the regular meetings and lectures held under the three associations, now consolidated into and forming the Historical Society of Dakota :
M. K. Armstrong lectured December 12, 1863. Subject-Early Ilistory of Dakota.
George M. Pinney lectured December 20, 1863, Subject-Theory of State Government. Philemon Bliss lectured January 6, 1864. Subject-Declaration of Independence. Rev. M. Tingley lectured January 9, 1864. Subject-Different Races of Men. Rev. M. Hoyt lectured December 15, 1864. Subject-Ancient Mythology.
George Ml. Pinney lectured December 22, 1864. Subject -- Mind Directed Hand.
James S. Foster lectured December 29, 1864. Subject-Education.
Byron M. Smith lectured January 5, 1805. Subject-Early Settlement of Big Sioux Valley.
Rev. L. P. Judson lectured January 12, 1865. Subject-Future of America.
Rev. Albert Gore lectured January 19, 1865. Subject-Analogy Between the Govern- ment of the Ancient Ilebrew and That of Our Own.
Hon. W. W. Brookings lectured January 26, 1865. Subject-Perpetuity of Intelligent Influence.
Rev. B. H. Golfiday lectured February 2, 1865. Subject-Life; Its Ultimate Success.
M. K. Armstrong lectured February 9, 1865. Subject-Early Settlement of Yankton County.
Hon. J. R. Hanson lectured February 23, 1865. Subject-Progress of Human Freedom. Lieut. T. E. Clark lectured March 9, 1865. Subject-Recapitulation of Former Lectures.
The following donations of books had been made to the society during the year ending December 30, 1864:
By Smithsonian Institution, Reports for the Years 1853, 1854. 1855, 1857. 1859, 1861, 1862. By United States Coast Survey Office, a full set of maps of the military districts of the United States.
By lowa State Historical Society, Annals for 1863, and its Incorporate Act and By-laws of 1857.
By Minnesota State Historical Society, Annals of 1857.
By J. B. S. Todd, Mullen's Report; Journal of llarney's Expedition; a bound copy of the congressional proceedings in the case of Todd vs. Jayne, labeled with gilt letters, "Historical Society of Dakota."
Number of active members. 31
Number of volumes in library 527
Number lectures delivered. 15
Number of contributions .. 7
Number of communications. 19
Cash receipt of society $184.25
Disbursements 157.25
Balance in treasury 27.00
Respectfully submitted. March 5. 1864.
AL. K. ARMSTRONG, Secretary.
To the Executive Board, Library Rooms, Yankton. D. T.
At this meeting George Stickney and E. Collins, of Union County, and F. J. Dewitt, of Fort Sully, joined the society, each paying the initiation fee of $5.00. A number of members paid their annual dues of $1.00. The receipts at this meeting were $24.00, which, added to the balance in the treasury, $27.00, gave the society a total or balance of $51.00.
Officers were then elected as follows : President. Rev. Melancthon Hoyt : vice presidents. J. B. S. Todd, George Stickney ; treasurer, George W. Kings- bury : secretary, M. K. Armstrong; librarian. B. M. Smith.
By request, Mr. Armstrong then delivered a lecture on the "Early History of Dakota Revised and Continued." The lecturer was requested to prepare an outline of his lecture for publication in pamphlet form.
A committee consisting of Messrs. Smith, Stickney and AArmstrong was appointed to revise the constitution and by-laws and report at the next annual meeting.
On the 27th of December. 1865, the society met at the capitol building, with Rev. M. Hoyt in the chair. Hon. Jefferson P. Kidder, associate justice, was introduced and addressed the audience on "History and Antiquity: Their Les- sons to Mankind," for which he received a vote of thanks.
On the 2d of January, 1866, the society again met, with Chief Justice Ara Bartlett presiding, when Rev. M. Iloyt delivered a lecture on the "Historical
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Results of Revolutions," for which he received a vote of thanks. Judge Kidder joined the society at this meeting.
The next meeting was held on the 12th of January, 1866, when, the chair being occupied by Reverend Doctor Hoyt, the Hon. John B. S. Todd was intro- duced and delivered a lecture on "The Westward Advance of Empire, and the System of Railways in the Northwestern States and Territories." A vote of thanks was given the lecturer, who was requested to deposit a copy of his ad- dress with the secretary.
The following named persons were then elected members of the society : Hon. John W. Turner, Clay County; Maj. Patrick H. Congar, Yankton Indian agent ; C. H. Kingsley, Northwestern stage agent; Hon. Hugh Fraley, and Benton Fraley, his son, of Bon Homme County: Capt. Mortimer Neeley, First Minnesota Cavalry, and Lieut. Henry O. Fox, Fourth United States Volunteer Infantry. Receipts of the evening, $37.00, making a total in the treasury of $93.00.
This meeting concluded the winter course of lectures, which were designed principally for the entertainment of the members of the Legislature and their families, and that body having adjourned, the society voted to meet again and pursue its course of lectures at the call of the president.
CHAPTER XXXIII GENERAL SULLY'S SECOND CAMPAIGN 1864
GENERAL SULLY'S SECOND CAMPAIGN-WEST OF THE MISSOURI RIVER-ILIS ARMY- DEATII OF FIELDING-THE KILLING OF HIS SLAYERS-FORT RICE BUILT-MARCII THROUGH THE BAD LANDS-A THREE DAYS BATTLE-DAKOTA CAVALRY IN PER- ILOUS POSITION-RETURN OF THE EXPEDITION-GOVERNOR EDMUNDS ORDERS THE ORGANIZATION OF THE MILITIA-TROOPS STATIONED FOR THE WINTER- ALL D.AY BATTLE AT FORT RICE-MASSACRE NEAR FORT PHIL KEARNEY-SULLY'S OFFICIAL REPORTS.
Brigadier-General Sully began his preparations early in 1864 for the campaign against the hostile Sioux, who were now west of the Missouri and north of the Cannon Ball River. He chartered a number of steamboats in March at St. Louis in order to obtain the advantage of the first high stage of water which usually follows the spring break-up and started his supply fleet northward in April. Each boat carried two six-pound guns and a small body of infantry to guard supplies. Although Minnesota furnished a large contingent of troops, this ex- pedition was under the command of General Sully and had no connection with the movements of a second body of troops, as was the case in 1863. In fact, the Indian war in Minnesota was ended, and there were only straggling bands of hostiles in Dakota east of the Missouri. Little Crow had gone to the Happy Hunting Grounds in a very commonplace manner, and not while leading his war- riors in battle. In a spirit of bravado he had returned to Minnesota in the spring of 1863 and was shot and killed near the Village of Hutchinson by some party who had suffered the loss of kindred during the first outbreak and massacre of 1862, and the great chieftain's skull is preserved among similar relics by the Historical Society of Minnesota.
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