THE SIOUX

There is no western tribe of Indians, except possibly the Shawnees, that have figured so largely in history as the Sioux, and none whose history is more replete with tragic and romantic incidents. They belong to the great Dakota family, and so prominently do they represent that family they are sometimes called the Dakotas.

When first known by the whites they had their hunting grounds about the headwaters of the Mississippi. It was in 1640 that the French were first informed of them by the Algonquins, who called them Nadowessioux, whence the name Sioux, given them by the French. The meaning of the Algonquin name we have never heard. About the year of 1660 they became involved in war with the Chippewas and Hurons, which continued, with only occasional and comparatively brief interruptions, into the present century. In 1680 a French officer, Jean du Luth, (from whom is named the Minnesota town Duluth) set up the French standard at Izatys, near the St. Peter's river; and the next year he rescued Father Hennepin, the celebrated missionary and explorer, whom they had captured during his explorations of the upper Mississippi. Nicholas Perrot, in the name of France, took formal possession of their domain in 1689, erecting a fortification near Lake Pepin. About the same time Le Sueur visited this tribe, which he describes as being composed of fifteen sub tribes, seven eastern and nine western. They joined the Foxes against the French; and, in war with the Chippewas, many were forced down the Mississippi and, driving other Indians from the buffalo plains in Iowa, took possession of them. The English emissaries secured the services of the Sioux in the War of 1812; but most of the bands soon made peace. The treaties then made were renewed in 1825 by the Tetons, Yanktons, Yanktonais, Sioune, Ogallalas, and Oncpapas. At this time the entire nation was estimated at twelve thousand seven hundred and fifty near the Missouri. They were divided into the following bands: the Aldewakantonwans, or Spirit Lake village; the Wahpetonwans, or village in the Leaves; the Sisitowans, or village of the Marsh, also called Isantis; the Yanktonwans, or End villages; and the Tetonwans, or Prairie village, which includes the Ogalala and Oncpapa bands. Their territory extended from the Mississippi on the east to the Black Hills on the west; and from Devil's lake on the north to the mouth of the Big Sioux on the south. These confederated tribes ceded to the United States, September 29, 1837, all their lands east of the Mississippi for three hundred thousand dollars down, and some minor subsequent payments. The Indians, however, did not for many years retire from the lands they ceded.

Few tribes have been the subjects of more persistent missionary labors than the Sioux. The American board began missions among the Wahpetonwans, near Fort Snelling, in 1835, and the Methodists in 1836. Schools were established among them, and elementary books were prepared for them in their own language. As great results, however, were not produced by these missions as by some that were established later, and that will be briefly mentioned farther on.

In 1851 the Sioux nation ceded to the United States all their land east of a line from Otter Tail lake through Lake Traverse to the junction of the Big Sioux and the Missouri, retaining a reservation a hundred and forty miles in length by twenty in width. The Government thus acquired thirty-five millions acres for three millions of dollars. But the neglect of the Government to carry out the provisions of these treaties caused bitter feeling among the Indians; which feeling awaited only an exciting cause to break out into a warlike flame. Such a cause was furnished in 1854, when Lieutenant Grattan, attempting to arrest one of the tribe for some misdemeanor, attacked an Indian village, but was cut off with his whole party. Some of the warriors thereupon commenced a series of hostilities; but General Harney defeated them on Little Blue Water, September 3, 1855, and a general council, held at Fort Pierce, consented to a treaty of peace. But in 1857 the band of Inkpadutas massacred forty-seven whites near Spirit lake, Minnesota, and other murders of a like character

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were committed at other places during the four or five years following—five whites being killed at Acton, Minnesota, August 17, 1862. Enraged by the failure of annuities and the frauds practiced on them, the Sioux then made a general uprising, and killed nearly a thousand of the settlers. The people of that district still shudder when they speak of the horrors of that bloody time. New Ulm, a town of fifteen hundred inhabitants, was abandoned and almost destroyed. The Sioux of the Missouri and the plains also became hostile, and were reduced to submission by General Sibley, of Minnesota, and General Sully, of the United States army. After a severe struggle, a number of white women and children, who had been captured, were rescued, and many Indians were captured and sent to Davenport. Of more than a thousand Indians thus taken, many were tried and condemned; but only thirty-nine, convicted of specific crimes, were executed. The others were finally released. Many bands fled into Dakota territory; and the war, together with disease and want, greatly reduced the nation. In 1863 the Minnesota Sioux were removed to Crow creek. About 1866 treaties were made with nine bands, promising them certain annuities, to be increased as the Indians should give greater attention to agriculture. An act of February 11, 1863, had annulled all previous treaties with the Sioux; but to the innocent bands a part of the amount pledged was restored, the government reserving compensation for damages. The most guilty bands fled north, and are still in the British territory. A few bands continued longer in hostility, cutting off Lieutenant Fetterman and his party in December, 1866, and besieging for a time Fort Phil Kearny.

In 1873, the Government liabilities, to the different bands of Sioux Indians, including payments not yet due, were estimated at over ten millions and a-half of dollars, with annual payments for their benefit of twenty-seven thousand, four hundred dollars. A treaty, hastily made by General Sherman, April 24, 1868, did not prove satisfactory to either side; and as gold had been discovered in the Black Hills, the United States wished to purchase the tract, and induce the Sioux to abandon their hunting grounds south of the Niobrara, or even to emigrate to the Indian territory. The Sioux were very reluctant to treat. Sitting Bull, Red Cloud, and Spotted Tail, with other chiefs, visited Washington in May, 1875, but President Grant could not induce them to sign a treaty. Commissioners appointed by him met an immense gathering of the Sioux at the Red Cloud agency in September; but as the Indians set an exorbitant price upon their lands, the negotiation failed. Hostile feelings were excited by alleged frauds at the Sioux agencies, which were investigated; but no results, satisfactory to the Indians, were reached. The feeling of discontent increased, and finally broke out into open war. After the expenditure of much blood and treasure, the Indians were at last subdued—their principal warrior, Sitting Bull, being defeated and escaping into the British territory, where he still remains. The Black Hills, which were so long the bone of contention, have become the peaceable possession of the United States Government, which, as usual, proved the strongest dog in the fight.

Much attention has been given to the Dakota language. A very good grammar and dictionary, prepared by Mr. Riggs, have been issued b the Smithsonian institute. The missionaries have also supplied the Episcopal liturgy; portions of Scripture, hymns, catechisms, and educational works in the language, and newspapers issue lighter reading. The Rev. Mr. Hinman, who is thoroughly familiar with the language, has probably been most successful in his labors for the christinization and civilization of this remarkable people.

The Sacs and Foxes

Mardos Memorial Library

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