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1900's
At the turn of the century, Indian lands were a primary focus
of government interest. It was evident to the white man
that the Indians had too much land. Continuous pressure
was brought to bear on Congress and the Federal Government by
many outside interests. Through the successive allotment
acts, and encroachment, Indian lands were being lost at a phenomenal
rate. Jurisdiction over Indian lands continued to be the responsibility
of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, but seemed likely to disappear
as the Indians became independent landowners when they received
patents and ownership of their own lands. It was the Indian
Bureau's idea of ending the task of administering Indian lands
by allowing their lands to be transferred to whites. In the
1901 Annual Report of the Indian Commissioner, Agent Richards
stated that the annuities had expired and the agency would have
to operate on the saving from the ten installments they had
received since 1891. The agent thought they could sell
a strip of land twelve miles wide on the north side of the reservation.
A special agent later that year suggested selling off
200,000 acres on the west side.
Congress passed a law on March 3, 1901 to provide employment
of a number of special agents to visit Indian reservations and
negotiate for the sale of 'surplus' lands. James McLaughlin,
veteran agent with many tribes, arrived at Fort Berthold in
June, 1902. He proposed that the Mandan, Hidatsa and Sahnish
sell about 315,000 acres of their land. They opposed.
Upon reaching an agreement, the tribes agreed to sell 208,000
acres at $1.25 per acre, to build a fence, and to purchase bulls,
mares, mowing machines, and rakes. The remaining funds were
to be distributed equally to each individual. For unknown
reasons, this proposal submitted to Congress was never ratified.
A bill was introduced to effect the opening of the reservation
land. The tribes objected because the government failed
to hold a council with them and get their consent to the proposed
legislation. The Act of June 1, 1910, provided for the outright
cession of thirteen full and eight fractional townships and
the rest of the reservation north and east of the Missouri except
for allotments made to individuals. Certain lands were
also reserved for agency, school, and mission purposes on the
left bank of the river, and provision was also made for the
protection of the site of Like-a-Fishhook Village. Allotments
of 160 acres of agricultural land or 320 acres of grazing land
were to be made to every member of the Tribes, over and above
all previous allotments. Individuals were to receive a sum equal
to the appraised value, not a flat sum as proposed. Although
this represented a victory for the Indians, not all were satisfied.
The reservation was becoming a narrow strip on both sides of
the Missouri. More land went out of Indian ownership.
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Phone: 701-627-3503
Three Affiliated Tribes, 404 Frontage Road, New Town, North Dakota,
58763
Copyright ® 2004-2006 Mandan, Hidatsa & Arikara Nation.
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