Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume XV.djvu/75

 SIOUX 67 domain in 1685, took formal possession for France in 1689, erecting a breastwork near Lake Pepin. In 1689-'99 Le Sueur visited the Dakotas, and describes them as divided into seven eastern and nine western tribes. They joined the Foxes against the French, and in war with the Chippewas many were forced down the Mississippi, and, driving other Indi- ans from the buffalo plains, took possession of them. Several bands wandered into the plains of the Missouri. Some Remained at or near the St. Peter's. The English agents 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, and Yanktonais, Si- oune, Ogallalas, and Oncpapas. The nation, estimated in 1822 at 5,000 on the St. Peter's and 7,750 on the Missouri, comprised the Alde- wakantonwans, or Spirit Lake village ; the Wahpetonwans, or village in the Leaves ; the Sisitowans, or village of the Marsh, called also Isantis; the Yanktonwans, or End villages; and the Tetonwans, or Prairie village, which in- cludes the Ogallala and Oncpapa bands. Their arritory extended from the Mississippi to the Black hills, and from Devil's lake to the mouth of the Big Sioux. On Sept. 29, 1837, the Da- kotas ceded to the United States, for $300,000 and some minor payments, all their lands east of the Mississippi. The American board be- gan missions among the Wahpetonwans near Fort Snelling in 1835, and the Methodists in 1836. Schools were introduced, and elemen- tary books printed in the language. In 1851 nation ceded to the United States all their id east of a line from Otter Tail lake through " e Traverse to the junction of the Big Sioux the Missouri, retaining a reservation 20 by 140 m. ; 35,000,000 acres were thus acquired >r $3,000,000. The government's neglect to try out the provisions of these treaties caused jitter feelings, and in 1854 Lieut. Grattan, in attempt to arrest a Dakota, attacked a vil- and was cut off with his whole party, series of hostilities by some of the Sioux isued ; but Gen. Harney defeated them on ittle Blue Water, Sept. 3, 1855, and a general incil at Fort Pierce consented to a treaty of But in July, 1857, the band of Inkpa- massacred 47 whites near Spirit lake, fowa, and murders were committed elsewhere, whites were killed at Acton, Minnesota, Lug. 17, 1862. Enraged by the failure of an- mities and the frauds practised on them, the "ioux then made a general uprising and killed learly 1,000 settlers. New Ulm, a town of 1,500 people, was abandoned and almost de- stroyed. Fort Ridgely was besieged, and was saved' with difficulty. The Sioux of the Mis- souri and the plains also became hostile, and were reduced by Gen. Sibley of Minnesota and Gen. Sully of the United States army. After a severe struggle a number of captive white women and children w r ere rescued, and many Indians captured and sent to Davenport. Of more than 1,000 Indians held captive, many w r ere tried and condemned, but only 39, con- victed of specific acts, were executed ; the others were finally released. Many bands fled into Dakota territory, and the war, disease, and want largely 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 enlarged as they should give increased attention to agriculture. An act of Feb. 11, 1863, 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 Lieut. Fetter- man and his party in December, 1866, and besieging for a time Fort Phil Kearny. In 1874 the Dakotas comprised the Santee Sioux in the reservation at the mouth of the Niobra- ra, Nebraska, numbering 791, with five schools under the care of the Episcopalians and the American board ; the Yankton Sioux on the Missouri, with the same missionaries; the Sis- setons and the Wahpetons at Lake Traverse and Devil's lake ; the Oncpapas, Blackfeet Sioux, Lower and Upper Yanktonais, Sans Arcs, Upper and Lower Brutes, Two-Kettle, Minneconjous, and Ogallalas in the Crow creek, Grand river, Whetstone, Cheyenne river, and Red Cloud agencies, 46,342 in all, in Dakota ; Santee, Yanktonais, Oncpapa, and Cuthead Sioux at Milk river agency, Montana, 5,309. In 1873 the government liabilities to the Da- kota tribes, including payments not yet due, were estimated at $10,387,800, with annual payments for their benefit of $27,400. A treaty hastily made by Gen. Sherman, April 29, 1868, was unsatisfactory on both sides; 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 showed great reluctance 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 deputed by him met an immense gathering of the Sioux at the Red Cloud agency in September; but as the Sioux set an exorbitant price on their lands, the negotiation failed. Hostile feelings have been excited by alleged frauds at the Sioux agencies, which have been investigated, but as yet (1876) without result. Much attention has been given te the Dakota language. A very good grammar and dictionary by Riggs have been issued by the Smithsonian insti- tution. The missionaries have also supplied portions of Scripture, hymns, catechisms, and educational works in it, and newspapers issue lighter reading. It lacks the sounds /, r, 0, but has peculiar sounds of its own.