There are 17 articles, I found Article X interesting : 

ARTICLE X.
In lieu of all sums of money or other annuities provided to be paid to the Indians herein named under any treaty or treaties heretofore made, the United States agrees to deliver at the agency house on the reservation herein named, on or before the first day of August of each year, for thirty years, the following articles, to wit:

For each male person over 14 years of age, a suit of good substantial woollen clothing, consisting of coat, pantaloons, flannel shirt, hat, and a pair of home-made socks.

For each female over 12 years of age, a flannel shirt, or the goods necessary to make it, a pair of woollen hose, 12 yards of calico, and 12 yards of cotton domestics.

For the boys and girls under the ages named, such flannel and cotton goods as may be needed to make each a suit as aforesaid, together with a pair of woollen hose for each.And in order that the Commissioner of Indian Affairs may be able to estimate properly for the articles herein named, it shall be the duty of the agent each year to forward to him a full and exact census of the Indians, on which the estimate from year to year can be based.

And in addition to the clothing herein named, the sum of $10 for each person entitled to the beneficial effects of this treaty shall be annually appropriated for a period of 30 years, while such persons roam and hunt, and $20 for each person who engages in farming, to be used by the Secretary of the Interior in the purchase of such articles as from time to time the condition and necessities of the Indians may indicate to be proper. And if within the 30 years, at any time, it shall appear that the amount of money needed for clothing, under this article, can be appropriated to better uses for the Indians named herein, Congress may, by law, change the appropriation to other purposes, but in no event shall the amount of the appropriation be withdrawn or discontinued for the period named. And the President shall annually detail an officer of the army to be present and attest the delivery of all the goods herein named, to the Indians, and he shall inspect and report on the quantity and quality of the goods and the manner of their delivery. And it is hereby expressly stipulated that each Indian over the age of four years, who shall have removed to and settled permanently upon said reservation, one pound of meat and one pound of flour per day, provided the Indians cannot furnish their own subsistence at an earlier date. And it is further stipulated that the United States will furnish and deliver to each lodge of Indians or family of persons legally incorporated with the, who shall remove to the reservation herein described and commence farming, one good American cow, and one good well-broken pair of American oxen within 60 days after such lodge or family shall have so settled upon said reservation.

 by the time these articles were read I would imagine they had to wake everybody up.

ARTICLE III.
If it should appear from actual survey or other satisfactory examination of said tract of land that it contains less than 160 acres of tillable land for each person who, at the time, may be authorized to reside on it under the provisions of this treaty, and a very considerable number of such persons hsall be disposed to comence cultivating the soil as farmers, the United States agrees to set apart, for the use of said Indians, as herein provided, such additional quantity of arable land, adjoining to said reservation, or as near to the same as it can be obtained, as may be required to provide the necessary amount.

ARTICLE IV.
The United States agrees, at its own proper expense, to construct, at some place on the Missouri river, near the centre of said reservation where timber and water may be convenient, the following buildings, to wit, a warehouse, a store-room for the use of the agent in storing goods belonging to the Indians, to cost not less than $2,500; an agency building, for the residence of the agent, to cost not exceeding $3,000; a residence for the physician, to cost not more than $3,000; and five other buildings, for a carpenter, farmer, blacksmith, miller, and engineer-each to cost not exceeding $2,000; also, a school-house, or mission building, so soon as a sufficient number of children can be induced by the agent to attend school, which shall not cost exceeding $5,000.

The United States agrees further to cause to be erected on said reservation, near the other buildings herein authorized, a good steam circular saw-mill, with a grist-mill and shingle machine attached to the same, to cost not exceeding $8,000.

ARTICLE V.
The United States agrees that the agent for said Indians shall in the future make his home at the agency building; that he shall reside among them, and keep an office open at all times for the purpose of prompt and diligent inquiry into such matters of complaint by and against the Indians as may be presented for investigation under the provisions of their treaty stipulations, as also for the faithful discharge of other duties enjoined on him by law. In all cases of depredation on person or property he shall cause the evidence to be taken in writing and forwarded, together with his findings, to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, whose decision, subject to the revision of the Secretary of the Interior, shall be binding on the parties to this treaty.

There are 16 articles to view at ↓ http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/resources/archives/four/ftlaram.htm

Fort Laramie Treaty, 1868

ARTICLES OF A TREATY
MADE AND CONCLUDED BY AND BETWEEN

Lieutenant General William T. Sherman, General William S. Harney, General Alfred H. Terry, General O. O. Augur, J. B. Henderson, Nathaniel G. Taylor, John G. Sanborn, and Samuel F. Tappan, duly appointed commissioners on the part of the United States, and the different bands of the Sioux Nation of Indians, by their chiefs and headmen, whose names are hereto subscribed, they being duly authorized to act in the premises.

ARTICLE I.
From this day forward all war between the parties to this agreement shall for ever cease. The government of the United States desires peace, and its honor is hereby pledged to keep it. The Indians desire peace, and they now pledge their honor to maintain it.

If bad men among the whites, or among other people subject to the authority of the United States, shall commit any wrong upon the person or property of the Indians, the United States will, upon proof made to the agent, and forwarded to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs at Washington city, proceed at once to cause the offender to be arrested and punished according to the laws of the United States, and also reimburse the injured person for the loss sustained.

If bad men among the Indians shall commit a wrong or depredation upon the person or property of nay one, white, black, or Indian, subject to the authority of the United States, and at peace therewith, the Indians herein named solemnly agree that they will, upon proof made to their agent, and notice by him, deliver up the wrongdoer to the United States, to be tried and punished according to its laws, and, in case they willfully refuse so to do, the person injured shall be reimbursed for his loss from the annuities, or other moneys due or to become due to them under this or other treaties made with the United States; and the President, on advising with the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, shall prescribe such rules and regulations for ascertaining damages under the provisions of this article as in his judgment may be proper, but no one sustaining loss while violating the provisions of this treaty, or the laws of the United States, shall be reimbursed therefor.

ARTICLE II.
The United States agrees that the following district of country, to wit, viz: commencing on the east bank of the Missouri river where the 46th parallel of north latitude crosses the same, thence along low-water mark down said east bank to a point opposite where the northern line of the State of Nebraska strikes the river, thence west across said river, and along the northern line of Nebraska to the 104th degree of longitude west from Greenwich, thence north on said meridian to a point where the 46th parallel of north latitude intercepts the same, thence due east along said parallel to the place of beginning; and in addition thereto, all existing reservations of the east back of said river, shall be and the same is, set apart for the absolute and undisturbed use and occupation of the Indians herein named, and for such other friendly tribes or individual Indians as from time to time they may be willing, with the consent of the United States, to admit amongst them; and the United States now solemnly agrees that no persons, except those herein designated and authorized so to do, and except such officers, agents, and employees of the government as may be authorized to enter upon Indian reservations in discharge of duties enjoined by law, shall ever be permitted to pass over, settle upon, or reside in the territory described in this article, or in such territory as may be added to this reservation for the use of said Indians, and henceforth they will and do hereby relinquish all claims or right in and to any portion of the United States or Territories, except such as is embraced within the limits aforesaid, and except as hereinafter provided.

The Skinner hill I was talking about is the hill that goes straight south on county rd 19.  It is a good paved road that goes south from what used to be Johns Cafe and garage.  the highway goes to Benedict, ND.  Are we talking about the same Skinner Hill?

As for the bank robbery in Sawyer, there are photos in the archives of the Ward County Historical Society.  The bank buildings are still standing.  They are on the corners of main street and are two old brick buildings.  One has been a cafe for years.  The other is now a bar.  I have a copy of the story written by Violet Ballentyne in 1962.  I got it at the all school reunion last summer.  I don't know how I would ever get you a copy.   You are welcome to it though.  I sure wish we could contact people with a private message on this board.  It would be conveinent sometimes.   I spose it is for safety sake. 

Have you ever been to some of the old cemetary's around Minot area?  I like to look at them and read the stones.  My grandfather homesteaded about 5 miles southwest of Sawyer back in the early 1900's.  I have very little information on the area other then the report from the Sawyer bank robbery. 

All good stuff

The Skinner family was one of the first familys up here.  I believe they were involved in the fur trade.  Highway 52 and 23, the old 52 highway is still there.  The cemetary is fenced with a gate, I was there and the only grave stone I could make out was a Joseph Skinner born in 1837 i believe and died in 1909.

The story I heard is the family was masacred  by Indians in that spot.  Skinner hill is still a good place to find arrowheads.   It is in a nice spot out of site from the highway .  I dont know why the story is not told and I dont know why it is not a tourist attraction.  I am sure the story is facinating if anyone knows?

  I took this pic in 2008 and went back but did not see the stone, and looks like it was toppled.  Its an easy walk .  If you increase the size of your screen you maybe able to make it out.  Lighting was terrible.

This is kind of an example where the North Dakota tourism misses the mark.  Sure missle sites are interesting, but are many storys untold , that can be just as interesting.

This letter i have somewhere , if i ever find it tells of a story of Sully masacred a village of Indians, there is a mass burial grave of women, children, and dogs.  The braves were off hunting or indian wars. 

Berthold had  an indian war but do not know much other than that. Indian wars were faught tribe against tribe. There is a place they still find artifacts.

Curles, pleased to know more about you.  It is funny you mention Sawyer Bank Robbery and do not believe it is showen in my book and a quick check on the internet didn come up with anything.  I have been looking for a 15 page letter written to my mother in the year 2000 from a 99 year old man who's father was her grandfathers best friend.  In the letter he explains in detail what it was like in the early 1900s.  I will have to continue looking for my copy.

I am also trying to find the story of the 1895 Estavan bank robber of over million dollars of gold bullion.  The story goes he hightaled his illegal treasue across the border near crosby.  There are stories about a cave where horse theives used to hide stolen horses and run across the border at night.  I do not know of a cave back then on the US side other than the Noonan coal mines.  On the Canadian side I do not know. 

THe bank robber was caught in the foot hills south of lignite and was in jail when he died under interigation.  The most they got out of this outlaw was that he had hidden the gold in a cave.  ?

If you have a story post it ,  I would like to learn more of the Skinner family.

KX, 

It is not that I don't like Custer history, it is that it is more to read then I have time to read.  I have many tasks since I am married to a person who can do nothing physical.  I am a busy lady.  I try to work here and there as well and then of course I love to spoil a group of 3  grandchildren in Fargo. 

I have been to the Custer house in Mandan and we did go to the battle site for battle of the little big horn in Wyoming.  It was many years ago but I did like it.  I love to watch things like that on the history channel.  In fact not long ago I watched a documentary on the bullistics of the battle of Custer and how the bullets they find are changing what was always beleived to be true.  I like the history channel and watch it a lot.  Not long ago I watched a documentary on the Viet Nam conflict.  Since my sweet hubby served there as a feild medic, I watched it to know what he saw there.  I am interested in lots of history...

Have you ever looked at the history behind the bank robbery in Sawyer, ND back in the late 1800's and the early 1900's?  I just got a paper that was written by a history teacher in the 60's about it.  I am a native of Sawyer so I found that to really peak my interest. 

One thing I would love to do is go to Washington DC and see all the history there.  I like to learn about the civil war and find the time leading up to it to be a very romantic time in history.  I think I have a jaded veiw because I liked the book Gone With the Wind and that got me started.  When I visited New Orleans back in the 80's I did some looking at history as it pertained to the war.  It is a facinating place to go to look at history.  I expected Rhett Butler to come out of the nearest cat house at any minuete.  :)

      IF YOU ARE IN JAIL ASK FOR A KNIFE AND A RAILROAD SPIKE.

Ed Canfield and George Arnott made a dramatic escape from the state pen in 1929.  For several weeks, they painstakingly chippped away the mortar between the bricks of a wall in one of their cells with a knife and a rail road spike. There work was undetected because at the end of each day, they replaced the bricks.

They chose to make their escape on Sunday because the roll call was not taken untill noon.  So, between 5:30 and 6:00 that morning while other inmates were making noise en route to the dining room, Arnott and Canfield enlared their hole.  Once it was big enough for them to slip through, they used a rope they had made by braiding strips of sheets to lower themselves 4 floors to the ground.

Because their cell wall was the outside wall of the prison, the 2 inmates stepped on free soil as soon as their feet touched the ground.  True to their calculations, they were not noticed missing untill noon roll call.  That meant they had several hours head start.

They alluded capture for several days.  The December cold finally forced them to seek shelter where they were discovered and turned over to authorities.  This was Arnott's sencond jail break.  Before he was sent to the penitentiary, he attempted to bust out of the Ward County jail.  Eleven years later, he attempted to get out of jail permanently by slashing his wrists.

Curls, books and the internet.   I just cant understand why you dont like history on Custer? its interesting.  

Interesting reading is relaxing, just type in your seach box here or in google and type in your subject, and click away.  The knowlege is out there , however there are bias groups also , so i just read.  If I learn something it was worth it.

a web-site sounds too much like work.

Rick, it was a long time ago, read Red Cloud, people are people, but we failed to treat these people fairly, our dealings with them left them with nothing but a reservation.  They deserve the same rights as we all.

They were acceptable of us at first,  we paid too much for Manhatton 24 bucks. So yes I believe the indian was taken advantage of by us.  We had Iron, they had stones.  

 A man's mind does not just click off in the heat of battle it stays with you for a life time, , and the hate builds till it either kills you or you forgive.

They deserved better treatment, but at that time we (white) thought the black man was meant to be our slave.  So yes human rights were not to widely thought of in our european thinking minds at the time. 

Indians were a completely different type of people, whose customs were new and savage to us, but they lived this way for thousands of years, and this country was beautiful as it was.  200 years and thank god for conservational minded presidents other wise the rich white banker would be living in terraced houses above the Grand Canyon and an eye sore with their trillion dollar mansions.

One thing I learned about indian life,  from history was from Red Cloud who explained explicitly clear. " An indian cannot be an indian and be rich"   Their riches and values rested with the animals  and the land,  for countless generations of their kind.  Their children were not born oweing anything but to leave this earth livable for the next generations to come....   Unlike the next 3 generations of our grandchildren's misfortune who had parents that bought on credit and could not pay back.

And you all think the banker is not your enemy?  Another 200 years of this and we will be begging indians to take this land back. Hell knowing us we will borrow money from the next 3 generations to pay them to take it back and fix it.

I am not sure if you want comment on this thread or not but...anyway....I have read some of this ND history.  Have you ever thought of putting together a web site (or maybe you have) with all the information you have gathered?  It is interesting and I think it would be a great thing for the arkives of North Dakotans. 

I have not read it all because of time but will continue to work at it.  thank you for the info.  Just curious, where do you find it all?

KXnet this is HISTORY Retold:  Got a problem with it? Take it up with Historical theologians !

Maybe it does not play out the way you want it.

But it is Very similar to the way HISTORY plays out today.

If you have a problem with HISTORY get ready cause there is alot left to post.

Telling someone who they remind us of is part of free speach, if they dont like it they and you had better get a lawyer. 

I am a poster also and expect to enjoy the same rights as anyone else in here.  

Deleteing history is much wors than being a guard at auschwitz.

The Sole U.S. Army Survivor

 Of the twelve troops of the Seventh Cavalry, Custer led five that hot Sunday into eternity and infamy at the battle of the Little Big Horn, and of his part of the regiment only one living thing escaped the deadly skill of the Sioux warriors. Bleeding from many arrow wounds, weak, thirsty and tired,  there came straggling into the lines some days after the fight Keogh's splendid horse "Comanche". Who can ever even imagine the scene as the soldiers thronged around the gallant steed?

Comanche- The only US Army Survivor at the Battle of Little Big Horn.

Editorial Note: There are endless descriptions referring to this horse "Comanche" as the "only survivor of the Battle of Little Big Horn".  Please remember that there were thousands of brave and victorious survivors among the Indian Nations.  They won the battle and they survived the battle.  They were fighting for their lands, their family, and maybe most of all, for their way of life. In the end, their cause was lost, and their battle in vain, but we must remember, and honor their skill, bravery, and honor at this great event in our history.

As a tribute to his service and bravery, the war horse Comanche was never ridden again. He was stabled at Fort Riley, and would periodically be paraded by the US Army. He lived to the age of 29, and when he died his body was mounted and put on display at the University of Kansas, where it stands to this day.

With Custer's men all dead, the triumphant Indians left their bodies to be plundered by their women. The warriors once more focused on  Reno's front. There were two nights of celebration and rejoicing in the Indian Camp, though not one instant was the watch on Reno eased. All day of the 26th they kept him penned down in his rifle pits. Early on the morning of the 27th, with great excitement, the lodges were suddenly taken down, and tribe after tribe, village after village, family after family, six thousand Indians passed before his eyes, moving towards the mountains.

Terry and Gibbon had arrived. Reno's small remnant of the 7th cavalry had been saved. Together they reconnoitered the battlefield, and hastily buried their fallen comrades. They then hurried back to the Yellowstone while the Sioux were hiding in around the Big Horn.  The Indians were shrewd enough to realize that Crook and Terry would be reinforced.  They also realized that their victory would result in the US Army relentlessly pursuing them. As they heard that great numbers of troops were assembling near the Yellowstone and Platte, they took the only reasonable strategy that they could; the great Alliance of Indian Nations quietly dissolved.  Sitting Bull, with many close associates, made for the Yellowstone, and was driven northward by General Miles. Others took refuge across the Little Missouri, where Crook pursued. With much hard pursuit, and even harder fighting, many bands and many famous chiefs were forced into submission that fall and winter.  Among these, bravest, most skilled, most victorious of all, was the hero of the Powder River battle, the famed warrior Crazy Horse.

The fame of Crazy Horse, and his exploits had become the stuff of legends among the Indian camps along the Rosebud, even before he joined Sitting Bull.  He was a key part of the battle with General Crook on June 17. No chief was as honored or trusted as Crazy Horse.

Up to the time of Little Big Horn,  Sitting Bull had no real claims as a warrior, or as a war chief. Eleven days before the fight Sitting Bull had a "sun dance." His own people report that while he was in a trance, he had a vision of his people being attacked by a large force of white men, and that the Sioux would enjoy a great victory over them.  The battle of the 17th of June was a partial fulfillment of this vision.

Scouts in the Indian Camp had seen Reno's column approaching, but it was decided that nothing would come of that.  Sitting Bull believed that the army was waiting for reinforcements, and he had no expectations that an attack was imminent. Then on the morning of the 25th, two Cheyenne Scouts came running into camp, indicating that a large group of soldiers was approaching.  Undoubtedly, this led to the commotion that Custer misread as a panic retreat.

Of course, such a report would mean that the women and children had to be hurried away, the great herds of horses brought in, and the warriors assembled to meet the coming adversary. Even as the great chiefs were running to the council lodge there came the report of gunfire from the south. This was Reno's attack, which the Indians were not expecting.  It is reported that the unexpected attack of Reno, and the report that "Long Hair" was dashing up the ravine was too much for Sitting Bull. He is reported to have gathered his family and made his escape to safety. Several miles from the battle, he realized that he was missing one of his children. As he began to return for the missing child, he was surprised to hear the battle waning, and everything becoming quiet.  He returned to camp in about 30 minutes, where he found his child.  He also found that the battle had been won in his absence.

Without him the Blackfeet and Uncapapas had pushed Reno back and penned him on the bluffs. Without him the Ogalallas, Brulés, and Cheyennes had repulsed Custer's daring assault, then rushed forth and completed a circle of death that consumed Custer, and all the men with him. Again, it was Crazy Horse who was foremost in the fray, riding in and clubbing the bewildered soldiers with his immense club of war.

On this day, Sitting Bull's vision was fully realized, but he was not there. Some loyal followers claimed that he had directed the battle from the lodge.  The truth lay in the names given to Sitting Bull's twins- "The one that was Taken", and "The one that was Left".

In the years after the conflict, many warriors would tell of their great exploits in the great battle. Rain in the Face would even brag that he had killed Custer with his own hand. In the midst of all the bravado and story telling one man emerged as the man most respected by his comrades on that gl Reply...

Custer's Last Stand

Never comprehending the overwhelming odds against him, believing that the Indians were "on the run", and thinking that between himself and Reno he could "double them up" in short order, Custer had sealed his fate. It was about five miles from where Custer first saw the northern end of the village and where he attacked the center of the village.  During this 5 mile ride, Custer never saw the complete magnitude of the Indian Camp.  As he attacked, and rounded the bluff, he found himself confronted with thousands skilled and well equipped warriors, all ready for the fight. He had hoped to attack the center of the village unmolested, and to meet Reno's men there, coming from the other direction. Instead he faced an intense attack from the thickets and trees.  He could not ignore the attack, and had to deal with the threat at hand. He had his men dismount, and begin engaging the fire coming from the thickets.  This was a perilous move, as he was outnumbered ten to one at this point. Worse than that, hundreds of young braves had mounted their horses and dashed across the river below him, hundreds more were following and circling all about him. It is likely that this is the point that Custer realized that he was in trouble, and that he must cut his way out and escape the overwhelming enemy surrounding him.

His trumpeters sounded "Mount!", and leaving many injured companions on the ground, the men ran for their mounts. With skill and daring, the Ogalallas and Brulés recognized the opportunity, and sprang to their horses, and gave chase. "Make for the heights!" must have been Custer's order, for the first dash was eastward, and then more to the left as their progress was blocked.

Map of Custer's Last Stand

Then, as Custer and the remainder of his regiments of 7th cavalry reached higher ground, they must have fully realized the gravity of their situation.  For from this vantage point, all they would have been able to see would be throngs of skilled Sioux warrior on horseback, circling and laying down a furious fire. Custer and his command was fully hemmed in, cut off, and losing men quickly.  Custer must have realized that at this point retreat was impossible.  Some of the Indian victors later reported that at this point Custer ordered that the horses be turned loose, after losing about half of his men.

A skirmish line was then formed down the slope, and there the men fell at 25 feet intervals (It was here that their fellow soldiers found them two days later).  At last, on a mound that stands at the northern end of a little ridge, Custer, Cook, Yates, Tom Custer, and some dozen other soldiers, (the only white men left alive at this point), gathered for the last stand. They undoubtedly fought fiercely, but lost their lives to the superior numbers, and superior leadership and strategy of the Indian Nation. 

Keogh, Calhoun, Crittenden, had all been killed along the skirmish line. Smith, Porter, and Reily were found dead with the rest of their men. So were the surgeons, Lord and De Wolf; and, also, were Custer's other brother, "Boston" Custer and the Herald correspondent.

Two men were not found among the dead. Lieutenants Harrington and Jack Sturgis. About 30 men had made a run for their lives down a little gully. The banks of the gully were teamed with Indians, who managed to shoot down the escaping soldiers as they ran.  One officer was reported by the Sioux to have managed to break through the deadly circle of Indians, the only white man to do so that day. Five warriors gave chase.  It is reported that as the pursuing band was worn down, and giving up the chase, the officer concluded that all was lost, and took his pistol, and shot himself in the head.  This soldiers skeleton was pointed out to the officers of the Fifth Cavalry the following year by one of the pursuers. It had not been found before then. Was it Harrington or could it have been Sturgis? Some years later yet another skeleton was found even further from the battle scene. Remnants found at the scene indicated that it was a cavalry officer.  If so, all the missing would be accounted for.