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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 9, 1945)
Uncle Sam Reports on His Real Estate Deals With His Red Children; He Bought 2,600,000 Square Miles at Average of 48 Cents an Acre ny ELMO SCOTT WATSON R. V>H.wd by Western Newspaper Union, RECENTLY the department > of the interior issued a new colored map, the first of its kind, which shows how Uncle Sam since 1790 has ac quired the nation’s public do main from 66 principal Indian tribes by some 389 treaties and numerous acts of congress. A study of this map shows that these cessions by the red man constitute about 95% of the public domain, or some thing like 2,600,000 square miles. In so far as the aggre gate cost of this land was ap proximately $800,000,000— that means a little more than $307 a square mile or approx imately 48 cents an acre — it would mean that Uncle Sam certainly got a bargain in these dealings with his red children. In a statement issued at the time the map was released, Secretary Harold Ickes ot the department of the interior declared that* “while questions are still frequently raised h* to whether the Indians received tatr prices for their land, the rec ords show that, except in a very few cases where military duress was present, the prices were such as to satisfy the Indians. Discussions of enhancement of land prices from original costs to the present esti mated value of nearly 40 billion dollars only lead to idle specula tion. Itiere is no equitable basis of value comparison then and now. "Sine Black Pages.” '“While the history of our dealings with tiie Indians contains some black pages, since the days of the early settlers there has been a fixed policy based upon the principle of free purchase and sale in dealings between the native inhabitants of the land and the white immigrants. In no other continent has any seri ous attempt ever been made to deal with a weak aboriginal population •hi these terms. " While the 15 million dollars that we paid to Na|>oleon in the Louisiana Purchase was merely in compensa tion for his cession of political au thority. we proceeded to pay the In dian tribes of the ceded territory more than 20 times this sum for such lands as they were willing to sell. Moreover, the Indian tribes were wise enough to reserve from their cessions sufficient land to bring them an Income that each year ex ceeds tiie amount of our payment to Napoleon." I* is true, as Secretary Ickes says, that in the majority of cases the Indiana probably received a fair price for their lands since there is no equitable basis of value compari son, but it is doubtful if the Sioux, the Nez Perces, the Modocs and the Poncas—-to name only a few—would agree with Mr. Ickes that the “prin ciple of free purchase and sale” had been observed In their dealings with the Great White Father. Louisiana Territory. Since Mr. Ickes mentions the Lou isiana Purchase, it might be well to examine briefly the record of our government's dealings with one of the aboriginal occupants of that re gion, the Sioux. For generations these Dakotas had occupied a vast empire along the Missouri river, in cluding most of the present states of North and South Dakota and parts of Nebraska. Wyoming and Mon tana Gradually their territory had been reduced by a series of treaties until they held only their choicest bunting grounds in the Black Hills, the Powder river country and the Big Horn' mountains. That was guaranteed to them, by the Fort Laramie treaty of 1868, as a ‘ permanent reservation" and, be sides, they were granted, for as long as there were buiTalo on the plains, “the right to hunt on any land north of the Platte.” This reservation was to be considered "unceded Indian territory" in which "no white per son or persons shall be permitted to settle or occupy any portion of the same or. without the consent of the Indians first had and obtained, to pass through the same.” Moreover, It was agreed that no subsequent treaty should be considered valid "unless executed and signed by at least three-fourths of all the adult male Indians occupying and inter ested in the same." The government kept its promise less than a year. Four months after the President had proclaimed the Fort Laramie treaty, General Sher man (noted for his only-good-Indian is-a-dead-Indian philosophy) issued an order that all Indians not actually on their reservations were to be under the jurisdiction of the army and “as a rule will be considered hostile.” Then came the announce ment that the Northern Pacific rail road was to be built across the north ern part of the Sioux hunting lands and soon afterwards the Great White Father sent surveyors, protected by soldiers, into this region without tak ing the trouble to ask the Sioux CALICO IN PERPETUITY — An important provision of the treaty of 1794 whereby the United States ac quired lands from the Iroquois Con federacy was that there should be an annual distribution of calico among 5,000 members of the Six Nations. This provision is still car ried out each year with appropriate ceremonies in observance of perpet ual “peace and friendship” with the Iroquois. Shown here at a typical ceremony is Florence Printup, a descendant of old Iroquois chiefs, who received the rolls of calico for distribution. for permission to "pass through the same.” In 1874 Gen. George A. Custer and his Seventh cavalry were sent to ex plore the Black Hills—again without asking permission of the Sioux to whom Pah-sah-pah <the Black Hills) was almost sacred soil. Then a newspaper man who accompanied Custer flashed to the world the elec trifying news that gold had been dis covered in the Hills and Custer’s of ficial report not only confirmed this but It was also an ecstatic de scription of the beauties of that re gion. The result was inevitable. ‘Justified’ Treaty Breach. Prospectors and miners flocked to the new El Dorado. For a time the government went through the mo tions of expelling the intruders, then gave it up as a hopeless job. Hav ing failed to keep the whites out of the Black Hills, the government's next step was to And some way to justify this violation of the Laramie treaty, A good excuse came when several bands of the Sioux, notably Sitting Bull's Hunkpapas and Crazy Horse's Oglalas, who were hunting in the Powder river country (as they had a perfect right to do) failed to return to their reservations within the time limit set by the Indian bu reau January 31, 1876. (The fact that it was almost physically im possible for the Sioux to obey this order within the time allowed didn't make any difference to the Indian bureau!) On February 1 the Indian com missioner proclaimed all Sioux who were not on the reservation “hos tiles" and called on the army to round them up. Then followed the campaigns of Generals Crook, Ter ry. Gibbon and Miles against these •'hostile" Sioux and Cheyennes in 1870-77 which either compelled the surrender of the Indians or drove them across the border into Canada. Even before the campaign was over, a commission was sent to treat with the Sioux and arrange for the ces sion of lands which the Fort Lara mie treaty had guaranteed to them '‘forever." Concerning this commission, which began its work in August, 1876, Doane Robinson in his “History of the Sioux Indians” (South Dakota Historical Collections) writes: The commission says: “While the In dians received us as friends and listened with kind attention to our proposition, we were painfully impressed with their lack of confidence in the pledges of the gov ernment. At times they told their story of wrongs with such impressive earnest ness that our cheeks crimsoned with shame. In their speeches and recitals of wrongs which their people had suf fered at the hands of the whites, the ar raignment for gross acts of injustice and fraud, the description of treaties made only to be broken, the doubts and dis trusts of our present profession of friend ship and good will, were portrayed in col or* so vivid and language so terse that admiration and surprise would have kept us silent had not shame and humiliation done so. That which made this arraign ment more telling was that It often came from the lips of men who are our friends and who had hoped against hope that the day might come when their wrongs would be redressed. Sioux Had to Like It. Since the Sioux didn’t have much choice in the matter, they signed the treaty offered them. Here’s what another historian says about it (not an Indian historian, but a white his torian). George E. Hyde, author of “Red Cloud’s Folk—A History of the Oglala Sioux Indians,” writes: But the object had been attained at last, and under the cloud of war the government had taken the Black Hills, the Powder River lands and the Bighorn country. The pretense of formal agree ment and fair payment which Congress had devised to veil this act of robbery did not even deceive the Indians. The chiefs knew that they were being robbed and that they were forced to sign away their lands. Here are beef, flour and blan kets (said the United States) for your lands In Laramie Plains and between the forks of the Platte, which we took from you before 1865; and here (said the Unit ed States) are the same beef, flour and blankets for your lands In Nebraska which we took before 1870; and (said the United States, with an air of vast gen erosity) here are the same beef, flour and blankets for the Black Hills, the Pow der River, and the Bighorn lands which we are now taking from you. In all fair ness, that is very near the true meaning of the "agreement" of 1878, by means of which these last lands were taken from the Sioux So the Sioux were finally settled on a greatly reduced reservation with in the present states of North and South Dakota. But even then the Great White Father wasn’t through with them. In 1888 another com mission went to the Standing Rock reservation to swing the cession of 11 million acres of Sioux lands at a fixed price of 50 cents an acre (“an outrageous robbery,” Stanley Ves tal, biographer of Sitting Bull, calls it) and break up the great Sioux reservation into smaller ones. Sit ting Buil lined up the chiefs against it, then went to Washington where he succeeded in getting the price raised to $1.25 an acre. The next year another commission came to Standing Rock to bargain with the Sioux at the new price but found themselves blocked at every turn by Sitting Bull. Finally by making various promises (many of which were never kept, incident ally) they managed to get enough chiefs to agree to the sale. So, in the words of Vestal, "the cession was signed, the great Sioux Reser vation was only a memory. It was the death of a nation.” Among the promises that were not kept was one about supplying rations to the Sioux, penned up on their reduced reserva tions, and in the winter of 1890-91 that broken promise bore bitter fruit. For the Sioux, suffering from hunger and disillusionment, became easy victims to the apostles of the Ghost Dance and before that excite ment was over the shameful story of the massacre at Wounded Knee had been written on one of the “black pages” which Secretary Ickes mentions. As indicated previously some of the other “black pages” bear the stories of our dealings with the Nez Perces, the Modocs and the Poncas. That is why it is likely that any member of those tribes, as well as the Sioux, who reads the secretary’s statement about "a fixed policy based upon the principle of free purchase and sale in dealings be tween the native inhabitants of the land and the white immigrants” will probably smile—and there won’t be much humor in that smile! Forty Tribes Celebrate Festival at Gallup, N. M. Indian drums are sounding in the far places of the Southwest, and the Navajos, Zunis, Hopis, Utes, Apa ches. Lagunas. Acomas and a score of other tribesmen and their fami lies are trekking to "the place by the bridge,” Gallup. N. M. Here each year 7,000 Indians from nearly 40 different tribes join forces to produce America’s most colorful and spectacular Indian show, the an nual Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial. For four days they dance, chant, compete in sports and engage in weird pagan rites before capacity audiences made up of their white brothers. The Gallup Ceremonial is the largest and most authentic In dian spectacle of its kind in the country. Usually the Ceremonial is held the last part of August. A special attraction each year is the unusual display of Indian arts and crafts in the Exhibit Hall where thousands of articles are shown. A score of native craftsmen will be at work showing the technique of Indian handicraft. Great White Father Makes Tardy Payment for Indians’ Ponies ‘When Sitting Bull's outlaw Sioux massacred Gen. George A. Custer and flvii troops of the Seventh caval ry on the Little Big Horn, the U. S. rumbled with indignation. Amid all the furore the Army brass was struck by a wonderful idea—since it waa almost impossible to catch mounted Sioux, why no. tnke away their horses? ' Ttug scheme had obvious defects, the chief of which was that Sitting Bull and most of his followers had already ridden off to Canada. But the army put it into operation with vast enthusiasm. In the fall and winter of 1876 cavalrymen seized 8,567 ponies from baffled, friendly Indians, at Camp Robinson, Neb., and Dakota Indian agencies. "Sioux and their friends were quick to clamor for payment; by 1892 the U. S. government had paid a quarter of a million dollars in damages. But even this left 2,298 horses still unpaid for. o “By 1928, when an investigation of Indian claims was authorized, time had not simplified the problem. But this spring. 69 years after Little Big Horn. Congress voted to pay off the last of the Sioux claims. Last week the President solemnly signed a bill granting them $101,630 ($91,920 for ponies. $9,710 for property lost in the scuffle). Nobody suggested re storing the Sioux to mobility by re placing the horses with second-hand Jeeps.’’—Time Magazine. One Dessert—Many Variations (See Recipes Belowi Variations on a Theme I have often thought that most of us would be better cooks if we learned to make a few dishes well instead of gathering hundreds of recipes without ever learning how to do any one of them well enough to set in front of company. Then, if these few dishes get monotonous, there are always good variations to use to make them seem entirely dif ferent than the basic recipe. One woman whom I know frankly admits that the only dessert which she can be certain of turning out "right and proper” is a bavarian cream, cut is it monotonous to have bavarian cream whenever we go to have dinner with her? ^ No, indeed. Some -L-i—^ times it turns out to be maple flavored, garnished with pecan nutmeats. Another time she will cleverly flavor it with choco late and coffee, a most intriguing combination. Then during the fruit season, she has a spree by adding delicious combinations like pine apple and apricots. Basic Bavarian Cream. (Serves 6) 1 envelope plain, unflavored gelatin cup cold water 2 egg yolks ^ cup sugar % teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup thin cream 2 egg whites Soften gelatin in cold water. Scald milk in top part of double boiler, then gradually add the combined egg yolks, sugar and salt. Return to the double boiler and cook until custard-like in consistence. Remove from heat, add gelatin and stir until dissolved. Add vanilla and cream. Chill, and when mixture be gins to thicken, beat until fluffy with rotary egg beater. Fold in stiffly beaten whites. Pour into mold or molds that have been rinsed in cold water. Chill until firm. When ready to serve, unmold and garnish as de sired. Bavarian Cream Variations. Maple Bavarian: Make above recipe using shaved maple sugar in place of white sugar. One dozen cut marshmallows may be added or % cup chopped pecans or walnuts. Butterscotch: Omit white sugar. Cook % cup brown sugar with 2 tablespoons butter and add this to hot custard. Chocolate Rice: Beat 3 table spoons cocoa into 1 cup cooked rice and fold into bavarian mixture. Fruit Bavarian: Fold 1 cup diced fruit into bavarian cream after it starts to thicken. Chocolate Bavarian: Add 2 squares melted, unsweetened choco late or 6 tablespoons cocoa to scald ed milk. Continue as directed. If a slight flavor of coffee is desired with the chocolate, substitute 1 ta blespoon cold, boiled coffee for 1 ta blespoon of the milk. Coffee Bavarian: Substitute Ms cup cold, boiled coffee for V4 cup milk and add 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Ice cream comes in for many Lynn Says How to make good pastry: The proper proportion for pastry is 1 cup Hour, salt to taste and Vi cup shortening or substitute. The important points are: have ingredients as cold as possible; never over-mix shortening and flour. The mixture should be "lumpy*' about the size of giant peas. When the shortening is not thoroughly mixed with the flour, it "streaks" and makes for flak ier crust. Too much water makes the pastry a “toughie." LTse just enough to make the dough stick together. On damp days, less water ia required, on sunny days, more. I L ibers’ Point-Easy Menus Lima Beans with Ham Chunks Seven-Minute Cabbage Fried Tomatoes Jellied Pear Salad Bran Muffins Jelly Orange Chiffon Pie Beverage delicious variations, too, if you have a good basic recipe: Custard Base Ice Cream. 2 cups milk % cup sugar 2 tablespoons cornstarch 3 eggs I cup heavy cream 1 teaspoon vanilla Scald lVfe cups milk and add all but 2 tablespoons of the sugar to it Add cornstarch and salt to remain ing V4 cup milk. Add to milk which has been heated in top part of double boiler, stirring occasionally. Beat 3 egg yolks and 1 white, add the hot custard and return to double boiler to cook for 5 minutes. Chill. Beat 2 egg whites with the remain ing sugar until stiff and add to chilled custard with vanilla. Final ly add cream which has been beat en until thick but not stiff. Freeze without stirring. Ice Cream Variations. Banana: Crush three bananas through potato ricer, adding 2 ta blespoons lemon juice. Add to cus tard before adding egg white. Caramel: Heat the sugar of the .-- above recipe in heavy skillet stir ring until melted and light brown in color. Add V* cup water and stir until smooth. Cook the com 1-—1 starch with the milk and salt and add the caramel plus 1 tablespoon of sugar. Proceed as directed above. Chocolate: Melt Hi to 2 table spoons of chocolate over hot water adding to custard while hot. Coffee: Scald Vi cup finely ground coffee in the milk, then strain through three thicknesses of cheese cloth. Proceed as above, adding Vi teaspoon almond flavoring. Mint: Add Vi teaspoon mintextract for vanilla. Tint the ice cream a delicate green. Or, if mint extract is not available, melt 1 cup crushed or ground mints in milk. Tint pink or green, as desired. Peach: Add 1 cup crushed peaches, Vi cup sugar and Vi tea spoon almond extract. Omit va nilla. Now we come to an interesting variation in the meat department. When you want to dress up pork chops for company, here are two excellent suggestions. They are stuffed to stretch the meat. Pork Chops I. 6 thick pork chops (cut pocket alongside hone) 2 cups toasted bread cubes Salt and pepper to taste 2 tablespoons parsley 4 tablespoons fat 1 can tomato soup Stuff pork chops with toasted bread cubes and pars ley. Pin together with a toothpick. Sear chops on both sides in skil let. Season with salt and pepper, 1 add tomato soup, h_I (—r cover and cook over low heat for 45 to 60 minutes. Pork Chops II. 6 thick pork chops, cut for stuffing 1H cups cooked rice 2 pimienios, shredded Salt and pepper to taste 2 tablespoons lard or substitute Stuff pork chops with a well sea soned mixture of rice and pimien tos. Pin with toothpick. Sear chops until golden brown. Season with salt and pepper, and add V4 cup water, cover tightly, and cook until tender. Released by Waatern Newspaper Union. SEWING CIRCLE PATTERNS Tailored Lingerie in Larger Size3 Gay Jumper That’s Snug-Waisted Slenderizing Slip and Panties p' SPECIALLY designed for the larger woman is this well-fit ting tailored slip with waistline darts for a smooth unbroken line under pretty frocks. Built-up shoulder straps are comfortable and stay in place. Panties to match. • • • Pattern No. 1216 is designed for sizes 36. 38. 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50 and 52. Size 38. slip, requires 23/t yards of 35 or 39-inch material; panties, l',i yards. Jumper for Little Girls FAVORITE costume in every 1 little girl’s wardrobe is the gay jumper that combines so nice ly with pretty blouses or soft har monizing sweaters. The style shown has a snug waist, ribbon laced, and the popular full cut skirt. • • • Pattern No. 1274 is designed for sizes 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 years. Size 4, jumper. requires 1% yard* of 36 or 39-lnch ma terial; blouse, l',fc yards; 114 yards rib bon for lacing. 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