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Letter From Irene Martin Edwards On Behalf Of Senator Langer To Martin Cross Thanking Him For Forwarding The Resolution Passed By The National Congress Of American Indians, December 28, 1953, Irene Martin Edwards

William Langer Papers

This letter dated December 28, 1953, from Irene Martin Edwards on behalf of United States Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross, thanks Cross for his letter of December 26th which enclosed a resolution passed by the National Congress of American Indians. Edwards notes that Langer is out of town but will be glad to receive the letter and resolution.

A handwritten note at the top of the letter reads, "Cross, Martin."

See also:

Letter from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Forwarding a Resolution Passed on December 9 by the National Congress of American Indians Regarding …

Resolution Passed By The National Congress Of American Indians Regarding Mineral Rights, December 26, 1953, National Congress Of American Indians

William Langer Papers

This resolution passed on December 9, 1953 by the National Congress of American Indians at the Tenth Annual Convention in Phoenix Arizona requests that the United States (US) Congress enact legislation to restore mineral rights on lands taken for the construction of the Garrison Dam to the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation. The resolution notes that since The Taking Act (US Public Law 81-437) did not specify the use of minerals or oil, then those rights should be returned to the tribes. The resolution notes that copies of the resolution will be sent to the appropriate Committees …

Letter From Senator Langer To Martin Cross Apologizing That Langer Could Not Attend The Tribal Conference With Commissioner Emmons Of The Us Bureau Of Indian Affairs, November 2, 1953, William Langer

William Langer Papers

This letter dated November 2, 1953, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross, thanks Cross for the invitation to attend the tribal conference with Commission Emmons of the US Bureau of Indian Affairs (Likely a reference to Glenn L. Emmons who served as the US Commissioner of Indian Affairs under US President Dwight Eisenhower from 1953-1961). Langer regrets that he was unable to attend.

There are some handwritten annotations on the letter.

Letter From J. Edward Williams To Senator Langer Regarding Civil Case No. 2386, July 29, 1953, J. Edward Williams

William Langer Papers

This letter dated July 29, 1953, from Acting Assistant United States (US) Attorney General J. Edward Williams to US Senator William Langer, refers to the recent conference in Langer's office concerning the condemnation proceeding entitled "United States v. Certain lands and improvements in McLean, Dunn, Mercer and McKenzie Counties, North Dakota, Rufus B. Stevenson et al., and unknown owners, Civil No. 2386."

Williams refers to the judgment entered in this case on July 17, 1953, which "adjudicated the just compensation to be paid for the taking of all the allotments included in the proceeding with the exception of the Allotments …

Omnibus Judgeship Bill, United States Congress, Us House Of Representatives

US Government Documents related to Indigenous Nations

This excerpt from a report dated July 28, 1953, from the United States (US) House Committee on the Judiciary was written to accompany US Senate Bill 15 which provides for the appointment of additional circuit and district judges. The bill approves the addition of one temporary district judge in North Dakota's northern district to assist with an increased caseload. The report indicates that the increase case load is due in part to an increase in land condemnation cases due to the Garrison Dam project. US Senate Bill 15 also provides for the appointment of one additional fifth circuit judge and …

Letter From Congressman Usher Burdick To Senator Langer Regarding Petition From Elbowoods, July 27, 1953, Usher Burdick

William Langer Papers

In this letter, dated July 27, 1953, from United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick to US Senator William Langer, Burdick replies to Langer's letter of July 13, regarding a petition Langer had received from residents of Elbowoods, North Dakota who had agreed to sell their homes to the US Corps of Engineers to make way for the creation of the Garrison Dam reservoir, and after waiting more than two years, were requesting to be paid immediately for their lost homes.

Burdick thanks Langer for his letter and enclosed copy of the petition, and says that he had already taken the …

Letter From J. Edward Williams To Representative Usher Burdick Regarding Petition From Elbowoods Residents Requesting Payment For Taken Properties, July 23, 1953, J. Edward Williams

William Langer Papers

In this letter, dated July 23, 1953, from Acting Assistant United States (US) Attorney General J. Edward Williams to US Representative Usher Burdick, Williams refers to communication Burdick has sent to the Office of the Chief of Engineers, US Department of Defense regarding a petition submitted by former Elbowoods, North Dakota residents who "agreed and affixed [their] signatures" for the sale of their homes to the US Corps of Engineers, and who, having waited more than two years without payment, are requesting to be paid immediately for those homes.

Williams explains that the matter has been referred to his Department, …

Letter From J. Edward Williams To Senator Langer Regarding Civil Case No. 2386, July 22, 1953, J. Edward Williams

William Langer Papers

This letter dated July 22, 1953, from Acting Assistant United States (US) Attorney General J. Edward Williams to US Senator William Langer, refers to a meeting in Langer's office wherein Edward N. Bodholdt represented the US Department of Justice in the condemnation proceeding entitled "United States v. Certain lands and improvements in McLean, Dunn, McKenzie and Mercer Counties, North Dakota, Rufus B. Stevenson, et al., and unknown owners, Civil No. 2386." This case involves property of the Three Affiliated Tribes of Forth Berthold, North Dakota acquired for use in the Garrison Dam and Reservoir Project.

Included with this document is …

Letter From J. Edward Williams To P. W. Lanier Urging Prompt Distribution Of Payments Resulting From Judgment Of Civil Case No. 2386, July 22, 1953, J. Edward Williams

William Langer Papers

This letter dated July 22, 1953, from Acting Assistant United States (US) Attorney General J. Edward Williams to US Attorney Powless W. Lanier, refers to the July 17 judgment rendered on the condemnation proceeding entitled "United States v. Certain lands and improvements in McLean, Dunn, Mercer and McKenzie Counties, North Dakota, Rufus B. Stevenson et al., and unknown owners, Civil No. 2386."

In this judgment, "just compensation" was fixed for lands taken for use in the construction of the Garrison Dam and reservoir, according to Public Law 437, also known as the Taking Act.

Williams asks Lanier "exert every possible …

United States Of America Vs. Certain Lands And Improvements In Mclean, Dunn, Mckenzie And Mercer Counties, North Dakota; Rufus B. Stevenson Et Al., And Unknown Owners, Civil 2386, July 17, 1953, Us District Courts, Charles J. Vogel

William Langer Papers

This judgment, rendered July 17, 1953, by United States (US) District Court Judge Charles Vogel in the case of United States of America vs. Certain Lands and Improvements in McLean, Dunn, McKenzie and Mercer Counties, North Dakota; Rufus B. Stevenson et al., and Unknown Owners, Civil 2386, details amounts to be paid by the US government to a group of owners for their properties and improvements taken by the US government under the terms of Public Law 81-437, also known as the Taking Act, in order to make way for the construction of the Garrison Dam and reservoir.

The judgement …

Letter From Senator Langer To Congressman Usher Burdick Regarding Petition From Elbowoods, July 13, 1953, William Langer

William Langer Papers

This letter, dated July 13, 1953, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to US Representative Usher Burdick, refers to a petition Langer has received from former Elbowoods residents who agreed to sell their homes to the US Corps of Engineers to make way for the creation of the Garrison Dam reservoir, and who, after waiting more than two years, are now requesting to be paid immediately for their lost homes.

While this letter mentions a photostatic copy of the petition being attached, no copy of the petition was found with this letter in Langer's papers.

See also:

Petition from …

Providing That No Further Funds Shall Be Appropriated For The Further Construction Of The Garrison Dam Until An Investigation Be Made By A Special Committe Of The House Of Representatives, Us Congress

US Government Documents related to Indigenous Nations

This resolution, dated April 20, 1953, begins by outlining the complaint that the US Corp of Army Engineers, acting on its own and in violation of several stipulations of the original act authorizing the construction of the Garrison Dam, has decided to increase the water pool area by 6,000,000 acre-feet and the raise the surface height of the pool by twenty feet. This has required the construction of dikes that were not part of the authorized project, and led to the acquisition of more land around the reservoir, which the Corp has been acquiring using tactics that deprive the owners …

Letter From Senator Langer To Martin Cross Thanking Cross For The Sending A Copy Of The Resolution Adopted By The Three Affiliated Tribes Regarding The Us Commissioner Of Indian Affairs, February 3, 1953, William Langer

William Langer Papers

This letter dated February 3, 1953, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross, thanks Cross for his letter enclosing a copy of the resolution adopted by the Three Affiliated Tribes endorsing Ed Milligan for US Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Langer informs Cross that he doesn't have "much say" in appointments of that type.

A handwritten note on the letter reads, "Cross, Martin."

See also:

Resolution Adopted by the Three Affiliated Tribes Pertaining to Endorsement of Candidate for Commissioner of Indian Affairs, December 27, 1953; Preceded by Cover Letter from Martin Cross, January …

Attorney Contracts With Indian Tribes, United States Congress, Us Senate

US Government Documents related to Indigenous Nations

This report, dated January 16, 1953, from the United States (US) Senate Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs provides the findings from an investigation of attorney contracts and other contracts with Indigenous nations in the US. One section of the report addresses the actions of James E. Curry who had dealings with the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation when they were seeking representation over the construction of the Garrison Dam.

Letter From Senator Langer To Richard Rammel Regarding The Relocation Of Roads In Mountrail County, January 7, 1953, Langer William

William Langer Papers

This letter dated January 7, 1953, from United States (US) Senator Langer to Richard Rammel, Clerk of Howie Township, Van Hook, North Dakota, encloses a letter Langer has “received in reference to the inquiry made concerning the relocation of roads in Mountrail County'' in regard to the construction of the Garrison Dam. Langer expresses his regret that “this report is not as favorable as anticipated” and writes that he was glad to bring the matter to the agency's attention.

This mentioned enclosure was not found with this letter in Langer's papers.

This letter is marked with the handwritten annotation “Garrison …

Anthropological Papers, No 45: Archeological Materials From The Vicinity Of Mobridge, South Dakota, Smithsonian Institution, Bureau Of American Ethnology, Waldo R. Wedel

US Government Documents related to Indigenous Nations

Published as a bundle of anthropological works sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution Bureau of American Ethnology, paper number 45 is a description of findings from an excavation of four burial sites which are presumed to be associated with village sites from Grand River and Elk Creek (located north of Morbridge, South Dakota). Excavation was completed by Matthew W. Sterling in 1923, described here by Waldo R. Wedel. These sites are documented as Arikara territory. The paper begins with an overview of Arikara history from 1717 forward as documented by European explorers, followed by a description of the graves excavated and …