Post by fwaukazoo on Jan 26, 2007 18:22:28 GMT -5
So, I guses I'm being told, get a lawer, who would make a motion to intervene. I would like to hear from any of the other "seventeen individuals have written letters or provided submissions to the court." I like find out if you now have a lawer, who is filing a motion to intervene, so if I can sign on. The Judge seem to have given us room to move, in noted that the court date the RECEIVED our submissions.
I'm base a claim as being Lineal Descendent of "Betsey Mary St. Clair." She is not on the 1886 (McLeod), 1889 (Henton) or 1899 (McLaughlin) Census. She shown, her "loyalty," and was a live in 1886, one can point to the lack of recornds, but is that what this case is about, it's the government record keeping that is at fault.
I when to the Santee Sioux Tribe of Nebraska, Tribal Enrollment Office, and received a Tribal Census Certificate, for Gilbert Blacksmith, my grandfather, and it shows him as 1/2 Santee Sioux Blood Degree. The Santee Sioux Tribe doen't reconize his mother's Santee blood.
I don't keep the records, and I didn't pick the 1934 enrollment date, but I'm held to their rulings. It sounds like genocide to me, get rid of the indians. America would go to war to stop it Iraq, but keep the process going on at home, but thats what the third branch of government is here to correct it, I hope.
fwaukazoo
fwaukazoo@yahoo.com
\\
Letter to Judge Lettow:
Francis Waukazoo
Albuquerque, NM 87120
October 1, 2006
RECEIVED
OCT 11 2006
CHAMBERS OF
JUDGE LETTOW
Honorable Charles F. Lettow
United States Court of Federal Claims
717 Madison Place N.W., Room 103
Washington, D.C. 20005
Re: Wolfchild Lawsuit.
Dear Honorable Charles F. Lettow:
I’m a Lineal Descendent of "Betsey Mary St. Clair." She is also well known by the name "Old Bets." Her son was known as "Taopi." They are not on the 1886 (McLeod), 1889 (Henton) or 1899 (McLaughlin) Census. Pierce Law Firm, P.A. said "You must provide to this firm the exact name of the individual and the page where the individual is listed on either the 1886, 1889 or 1899 Census from whom you descend;" and Littlejohn Law Firm, LLC, said that I need to "verify the connections to the Wolfchild censuses." From what I have read, Betsey died in 1886. She was mix blood Mdewakantons/Chippewa born and lived all of her life in the Mendota area. I feel that Betsey should be part of Wolfchild Lawsuit.
Taopi died in 1869, but Betsey was a live in 1885, for "She is listed among 180 Mdewakantons who were eligible in April 1885 to receive a portion of the Birch Coulee Indian Seftlement. Old Bets was unable to attend the payment session at Shakopee. John Wakerman, submitted an affidavit, which stated that Old Bets was an "old, feeble woman" residing with her sister, Ellen in St. Paul and that Ellen should be regarded as Bets’ legal guardian. Old Bets was number 106 on the list and her sister was number 105," certify by Walter S. McLeod. (Dakota County Historical Society, 1995)
According to William H.C. Folsom (1817-1900), Minnesota legislator, businessman, and historian, reported that "‘Old Betz,’ who died at an advanced age only two years ago," before his book "Fifty years in the Northwest," was created and published in 1888. (Folsom, 1888) Folson also reports that a Mr. Auguste Larpenteur said "Old Betz told him one day, a short time before her death, in a confidential way, that when soldiers first came to Fort Snelling she was still in her teens. That was in 1819, and, therefore, Old Betz could not have been over eighty-eight when she died." (Folsom, 1888)
Betsey being half Chippewa and Dakota, was thread by other full blood Dakota members as documented in Mary Eastman book, "Dahcotah," and maybe she felt safer living on land provided by Alexander Faribault, then to Henry Sibley’s land, and then with her sister out necessity. (Dakota County Historical Society, 1995) Maybe that why Betsey is not on the 1886 and 1889 census, but Taopi’s sons Samuel and Solon, Betsey’s son Job St. Clair, and grandson Henry Whipple St. Clair are.
The deeds of Taopi and Betsey Mary St. Clair has been written in many book, and quoted on web sites (Exhibit 1). To show "Loyalty," there is; Wabasha and Taopi letter for help to Gen. Sibley, Taopi was granted reward of 500 dollars for helping the white captives, Henry Sibley issued him a certificate of commendation (Exhibit 2), Taopi also testified at the trails, and Taopi was a Scout for General Sibley. "[Sibley] learned that friendly Indians and half-breeds, including Wabasha and Taopi, had taken charge of the captive whites and were ready to release them. On September 26 Sibley entered the Indian camp where they were held. Captives to the number of 269 - 107 white people and 162 half-breeds-were put in his care amid scenes of rejoicing; and the place is known in Sioux War history as ‘Camp Release.’" (Blegen, 1963)
To show Betsey Mary St. Clair "loyalty," Books and Postcards described her as, "Old Bets, a Santee Dakota Sioux that helped Whites during the Sioux uprising of 1862." (Exhibit 3) Betsey had been known to nurse the sick children of army officers stationed at Fort Snelling. And also, "Taopi’s testimony and that of his mother may have resulted in some convictions, but it brought no tangible rewards from the government. He died in extreme poverty in 1869. See the Central Republican, March 3,1869, and the Faribault Republican, October 18, 1871, and also William Welsh, comp., Taopi and His Friends, or the Indians’ Wrongs and Rights (Philadelphia: Claxton, Remsen and Heffelfinger, 1869), pp. 53-54." (Meyer, page 131, 1993). "Some, like Taopi, who testified in trials, were so hated that they dared not go to live among their people after the uprising." (Meyer, 1993)
Before the outbreak. Taopi, had to leave their village of Kaposia after the Treaty of Mendota in 1851. They were removed to a reservation near the Lower Sioux Agency on the Minnesota River. Taopi became the chief of the "farmer Indians," a band made up of men from several of the traditional villages. Bishop Whipple said of him, "When I knew him before the outbreak, he had a house and furniture, and stock, and implements of husbandry, and was a well to do farmer. These later years have seen him a poor homeless wanderer...." (The Lives and Times, 2003)
According to Mary Eastman, Betsey Mary St. Clair husband’s Chief "Good Road" disinherited them, and she went to live with her son Taopi. After the outbreak, Betsey was listed under the Taopi Band at Fort Snelling, in December 2, 1862 (Exhibit 4). (Minnesota Historical Society, page 313-316, 2006)
"Bishop Whipple knew Taopi should not be sent away with other Dakota. Many were angry at him. They would kill him." (The Lives and Times, 2003) Many of them understood that the lives of the Faribault Dakota would be in danger on the reservation. They would be with Dakota who were still angry because they had helped white settlers during the war.
"[Do not reward] our loyalty by delivering us up to...our enemies. ..." Taopi. "So Whipple asked General Sibley to permit Taopi and a few others to stay in Minnesota. He also asked Alexander Faribault to let them to live on his land. Everyone agreed." (The Lives and Times, 2003) "Taopi pleaded with officials to allow his mother to remain behind with him," and was granted. They both when to live on Faribault’s land. (Diedrich, page 70, 1995)
Betsey when on to live on land own by Sibley. "In July, 1867, Reverend Hinman came to escort the Faribault Dakota to a reservation in Nebraska. He knew Taopi and other Dakota from their time at the Lower Sioux Agency. But Taopi and his family refused to leave. They were told that no one would help them anymore, but Hinman and others were not willing to force them out. Finally, about half of the Dakota left Faribault. About 40 remained." Bishop Henry Whipple and Henry Sibley, both ask the government to help Taopi to have a piece of land. The government authorities changed their minds." (The Lives and Times, 2003)
"Even if some land had been found, it would have been too late for Taopi. He became ill on a hunting trip. He returned to Faribault, where he died on February 19, 1869." (The Lives and Times, 2003) Betsey’s death and burial site are a mystery or no records.
The best I understand it, my connection is:
Francis L. Waukazoo, son of
Muriel F. Blacksmith Waukazoo, daughter of
Gilbert C. Blacksmith, who is the son of;
Stephen Blacksmith (Wabasha), son of Thomas Wabasha, son of Wabasha II.
and
Elizabeth (Isabella) St. Clair Blacksmith, daughter of
Nancy St. Clair (Anpahdiwin), daughter of
Betsey Mary St. Clair.(Old Bets).
My father is Ojibwa and Ottawa in which I’m 1/2 Degree of Indian Blood, I’m 1/4 DOIB on my mother’s mother Rosebud Sioux side, but only 1/8 DOIB on my mother’s father Santee side. The Santee Reservation doesn’t recognize my St. Clair side, although Nancy St. Clair and her daughter Isabella are on the 1885, 1890, 1902, and 1917 census rolls for the Santee tribe. Nancy died in 1917, and Isabella passed away in 1955, well living at a nursing home in Pierre, SD. Over hundred years have pass and hate for the St. Clair’s must live on. How does this harm me, I have a niece who’s has a child in needs consent medical attention, Michelle applied for membership with the Huron band of Pottawatomie, in which she was accepted, than rejected for not been 1/2 DOIB. If the Santee tribe or the Mdewakanton tribe of Minnesota would recognize the St. Clair side, my niece’s son could qualify for medical help from the Indian Health Service.
My father told me, either Traditional or Christian, we pray to the same God, the Creater. The way and the truth and the life, through the proper relationship. I believe Betsey and Taopi did the right thing in helping people, but government didn’t help them. I feel bad in knowing they had to suffer, to be Christians.
Sincerely,
Francis L. Waukazoo
Source.
Blegen, Theodore Christian, Minnesota: A History of the State, page 275, 1963.
Diedrich, Mark, Old Betsey; The life and times of a famous Dakota woman and her family. Rochester, Minnesota. Coyote Books: 1995
Eastman, Mary H., (1818-1887) Dahcotah: or, Life and legends of the Sioux around Fort Snelling, 1995.
Fifty Years in the Northwest; With an Introduction and Appendix Containing Reminiscences, By William H. C. (William Henry Carman) Folsom, E. E. (Elijah Evan) Edwards, 1888. Google Book Search,
hftp://books.google.com/books?vidOCLCO 1 984450&id=JTjJzaBOYPEC&pgPRl &lpg=PR1 &dq=William+H.C.±Folsom.
Meyer, Roy W., History of the Santee Sioux: United States Indian Policy on Trial, page 131, 1993.
Minnesota Historical Society, Census of Dakota Indians Interned at Fort Snelling After the Dakota War in 1862, www.mnhs.org/genealogy/dakotafamily/census.htm, pages 3 13-316, 2006.
Over the Years, A publication of the Dakota County Historical Society, Volume 35, Number 2, page 3, December 1995.
Internet Source.
The Lives and Times, Fascinating People of Early Faribault, Taopi, After the Story: 1865-1869, http;//www.ci.faribault.mn.us/history2/Taopi/Taopi after.html, Faribault Heritage Preservation Commission, sgustafson~ci.faribault.mn.us, 2003.
Major resources for the Lives and Times site are listed below:
o Anderson, Gary C. and Alan Woolworth, eds. Through Dakota Eyes. Narrative Acconts of the Minnesota Indian War of 1862. Minnesota Historical Society; 1988.
o Brown, Jennifer S. H. Strangers in blood: fur trade company families in Indian country. Vancouver : University of British Columbia Press, 1980.
o Buck, Herbert L. Early Fur Trading on the Cannon River, Rice County. Read at a meeting of the Rice County Historical Society, October 22, 1934.
o Bjork, Kenneth 0. The Alexander Faribault house. Minnesota Historical Society Collections. p. 320-324 ; ill. ; 26 cm.
o Collections of the Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour, Faribault, Minnesota.
o Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn , compiler. History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota. Chicago : H.C. Cooper, Jr., 1910.
Diedrich, Mark
o Taopi: Farmer Chief of the Mdewakanton Dakota in Minnesota Archeologist; June, 1981.
o Old Betsey; The life and times of a famous Dakota woman and her family. Rochester, Minnesota. Coyote Books: 1995
o Meyer, Roy Willard. History of the Santee Sioux : United States Indian policy on trial. Rev. ed. Lincoln; University of Nebraska Press, c1993.
Minnesota Historical Society collections:
o Bishop Henry B. Whipple records, 1859-1899
o Henry B. Whipple papers, 1833-1934
o Henry B. Whipple scrapbooks, 1850-1932 [microform].
o Mary J. Whipple letters, 1854-1911.
o Whipple-Scandrett family papers, 1829-1959.
o Munson, Raymond. Rice County : the story of its discovery and settlement. Minnesota. Federal Writers Project: 1938.
o Nute, Grace Lee. Alexander Faribault In: Minnesota Historical Society Collections. p. 177-180.
o Osgood, Phillips Endecott. Straight Tongue. A Story of Henry Benjamin Whipple. First Episcopal Bishop of Minnesota. T.S. Denison & Company, Minneapolis; 1958.
o Portraits and memories of Rice County, Minnesota. Rice County Historical Society: 1987.
o Steimann, Richard J. The Wapacootas and the white man; the story of the early devekpmcnt of Faribault. M.A. Thesis, University of Minnesota: 1971.
o Swanberg, L.E. Then & now: a history of Rice County, Faribault & communities. 1857-1907. Publication Committee: 1909.
o Tanner George Clinton. Fifty Years of Church Work in the Diocese of Minnesota 1857-1907. Publication Committee; 1909.
Tschofen, Carmen.
o Hometown History: Looking at Faribault, Minnesota. Faribault Heritage Preservation Commission: 1996.
o Guide Handbook: Faribault Heritage Preservation Tours. Faribault Heritage Preservation Commission: 1999.
o Whipple, Henry Benjamin. Lights and Shadows of a Long Episcopate. MacMillan Company, London: 1899.
o Zalin, Thomas R. Historic Contexts, City of Faribault. St. Paul, n.d.
Exhibit(s)
Exhibits 1.
Postcard of "Taopi," described as," Taopee-Wounded Man, "Friendly Sioux Indian..."
Minnesota Historical Society, mnhs.org, Visual Resources Database, Search; "Taopi".
collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/Results.cfm?page= 1 &Keywords=taopi&SearchType
=Basic&CFID=1 273 986&CFTOKEN=67 118012
and
Book form description of Taopi, "Taopi-Wounded man-a friendly Sioux Indian, chirfly instrumental in bringing the white settlers in safety to camp during the Indian War of 1862. He was a son of Old Bets."
Aborigines of Minnesota, A report, Based on the collections of Jacob V. Brower, and on the field surveys and notes of Alfred J. Hill and Theodore H. Lewis, Published by, The Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul Minn., The Pioneer Company, 1911.
Exhibit 2.
Henry Sibley issued a certificate of commendation to Taopi.
The Lives and Times, Fascinating People of Early Faribault, Taopi, After the Story: 1865-1869, www.ci.faribault.mn.us/history2/Taopi/Taopiafter.html, Faribault Heritage Preservation Commission, s gustafson~ci.faribault.mn.us, 2003.
Exhibit 3.
Postcard of "Old Bets," described her as, "Old Bets, a Sioux Squaw who will long remembered
with gratitude by many of the Minnesota Captives, for her kindness to them while among the Sioux in 1862."
Minnesota Historical Society, mnhs.org, Visual Resources Database, Search; "Old Bets".
collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/Results.cfm?Page=z 1 &Keywords~old%20bets&Searc
hType=Basic&CFID~ 1273 986&CFTOKEN=67 118012
Exhibit 4.
1863 List of Indians at Ft. Snelling, page 315, list Taopi’s Band, in which Taopi, Betsey are listed.
Minnesota Historical Society, mnhs.org, Dakota War of 1862 (Dakota Conflict)
www.mnhs.org/library/tips/historytopics/94dakota.html
Census of Dakota Indians Interned at Fort Snelling After the Dakota War in 1862
www.mnhs.org/genealogy/dakotafamily/census 1863/indian_index313.htm
Page 315.
www.mnhs.org/genea1ogy/dakotafamily/census1863/indiancampcensus315 .pdf
Francis L. Waukazoo lineal descendent of Betsey Mary St. Clair (Old Bets).
Child Relateship Parent Exhibit(s)
Francis L. Waukazoo, son of Muriel F. Blacksmith Waukazoo (A)
Muriel F. Blacksmith, daughter of Gilbert C. Blacksmith (B, C)
Gilbert C. Blacksmith, son of Isabella St. Clair Blacksmith (D, E, F)
Isabella St. Clair, daughter of Nancy Anpahdiwin St. Clair (F)
Nancy Anpahdiwin St. Clair, daughter of Betsey Mary St. Clair (Old Bets) (G)
A. Certificate of Birth, Francis L. Waukazoo, mother Muriel Florence Blacksmith.
B. The Holy Sacrament of Baptism, Muriel Florence Blacksmith, father Gilbert Blacksmith.
C. Index and Heirship Card, Muriel Blacksmith, father Gilbert Blacksmith.
D. Holy Baptism, Gilbert Blacksmith, mother Isabella St. Clair.
E. Tribal Census Certificate, Gilbert Blacksmith, mother Isabella St. Clair.
F. Santee Agency Baptismal Ledger 1843-1904, Records of the Episcopal Diocese of South
Dakota, pages 268-269, The Center for Western Studies, Box 727, Augustana College, Sioux
Falls, SD 57197. augie.edu/CWS
www.wambdimoni.com/dakota_church_records/church%20files2/Santee%20Agency%2O
Baptismal%20Ledger%20 1843-1904/jpeg/Picture%20137.jpg
Gilbert Blacksmith, son of Isabella (Blacksmith),
Isabella (Blacksmith), daughter of Nancy Anpahdiwin,
Nancy Anpahdiwin, no parents given.
G. Old Betsey; The life and times of a famous Dakota woman and her family. Rochester,
Minnesota. Coyote Books:1995, Old Betsey Genealogy, pages 133-134.
Nancy St. Clair (Anpahdiwin), daughter of Betsey Mary St. Clair, "Old Bets."
end
Front Page
To: CLERK’S OFFICE
THE ATTACHED ITEM IS TO BE:
...
_X_ Returned to party __(per attached letter.)___
... . . . Signature C.F. Lettow
Date 1/10/07
Back page
Docket No._03-2984_
UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
RECEIVED
OCT 11 2006
CHAMBERS OF
JUDGE LETTOW
MEMORANDUM
TO: JUDGE _Lettow_
FROM: CLERK’S OFFICE
The attached was received on _10\11\06_
and the following defect(s) is/are noted:
... . . .
6._X_ No provision in the Rules (or court order) for the filing of this item
...
Derek
Deputy Clerk
end
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
No. 03-2684L and No. 01-568L (consolidated)
(Filed: January 10, 2007)
______________________________
SHELDON PETERS WOLFCHILD, et al., )
Plaintiffs, )
UNITED STATES, )
Defendant. )
_____________________________)
ORDER
During the months since the court rendered the decision in Wolfchild v. United States, 72 Fed. Cl. 511(2006) ("Wolfchild III"), seventeen individuals have written letters or provided submissions to the court, indicating an interest in participating in this action. Many of those communications included recitations of alleged fact or documentation tending to show a link to an ancestor who may have been a "loyal Mdewakanton," see Wolfchild III, 72 Fed. Cl. at 514, and thus a potential beneficiary of the Indian trust at issue in this proceeding. None of the seventeen corresponding individuals submitted a motion for leave to intervene accompanied by a proposed complaint as intervening plaintiff, required by this court’s rules for joinder as a party to the action, see Rule 24(c) of the Rules of the Court of Federal Claims ("RCFC"), and thus, none of the submissions was filed by the Clerk of the court. All were referred to the court for disposition.
By this order the court directs the Clerk to return the submissions to each pertinent individual, and the seventeen submissions shall remain unfiled. The Clerk shall provide each of the communicating individuals with a copy of this order. Should any of the individuals who made such a submission wish to pursue their interest in participating in this case, they must file a motion to intervene, with an accompanying proposed complaint in compliance with this court’s rules, and they shall include in and with such a motion a showing of good cause why they were unable to request intervention prior to the deadline of July 12, 2006, for such action.1
________________
1 Potential claimants who desired to participate in this action as plaintiffs were originally required by the court to join in an amended complaint or to file a motion to intervene and accompanying proposed complaint no later than April 28, 2006. The court thereafter granted two
1 page
Some of the communicating individuals refer to counsel for one or more of the groups of intervening plaintiffs in this case, particularly Mr. Montana, and thus it is possible that some of the individuals are already intervenors and have representation by counsel. Nonetheless, the court has caused copies of each of the seventeen unfiled submissions to be appended to this order. By this action, copies of the submissions will be served upon counsel for plaintiffs, defendant, and intervenors, and also became part of the record in this action. Among other things, the date each submission was received may later be used to provide a reference point for evaluating good cause should any subsequent motion for leave to intervene be filed.
Finally, participation in this case on apro se basis, without counsel, is strongly discouraged. Management of this proceeding is a challenging task, particularly in light of the fact that roughly 20,000 persons are participating as plaintiffs or intervening plaintiffs, with the intervening plaintiffs broken up into 36 separate groups. Three Indian communities are also involved. To aid in management of the action, the case is about to be converted to electronic filing, and, under the court’s procedures, electronic filing arrangements are not ordinarily available for pro se claimants. Accordingly, any of the corresponding individuals who desire to participate should contact counsel, either counsel for one of the existing groups of intervening plaintiffs, or counsel of their own choosing. Alternatively, if representation by this means has been pursued diligently, but proves to be infeasible, affected individuals should contact the clerk’s office which will explore whether assistance might be available from a clinical program of a law school in the Northern Plains area or from another legal services program.
It is so ORDERED.
Charle F. Lettow
Judge
________________
extensions of this deadline, first to June 23, 2006, see Order of April 19, 2006, and then to July 12, 2006. See Order of June 16, 2006. By way of its decision rendered August 22, 2006, the court subsequently acted on each of the then-pending motions to intervene. See Wolfchild III, 72 Fed. Cl. at 518-21.
Months in advance of the original deadline, extensive efforts had been taken by plaintiffs, at the direction of the court, to provide notice to other potential plaintiffs, either by individual notice or by numerous publications in newspapers and magazines. See Wolfchild v. United States, 68 Fed. Cl. 779, 795-798, 801-05 (2005) ("Wolfchild II").
2 page
end
I'm base a claim as being Lineal Descendent of "Betsey Mary St. Clair." She is not on the 1886 (McLeod), 1889 (Henton) or 1899 (McLaughlin) Census. She shown, her "loyalty," and was a live in 1886, one can point to the lack of recornds, but is that what this case is about, it's the government record keeping that is at fault.
I when to the Santee Sioux Tribe of Nebraska, Tribal Enrollment Office, and received a Tribal Census Certificate, for Gilbert Blacksmith, my grandfather, and it shows him as 1/2 Santee Sioux Blood Degree. The Santee Sioux Tribe doen't reconize his mother's Santee blood.
I don't keep the records, and I didn't pick the 1934 enrollment date, but I'm held to their rulings. It sounds like genocide to me, get rid of the indians. America would go to war to stop it Iraq, but keep the process going on at home, but thats what the third branch of government is here to correct it, I hope.
fwaukazoo
fwaukazoo@yahoo.com
\\
Letter to Judge Lettow:
Francis Waukazoo
Albuquerque, NM 87120
October 1, 2006
RECEIVED
OCT 11 2006
CHAMBERS OF
JUDGE LETTOW
Honorable Charles F. Lettow
United States Court of Federal Claims
717 Madison Place N.W., Room 103
Washington, D.C. 20005
Re: Wolfchild Lawsuit.
Dear Honorable Charles F. Lettow:
I’m a Lineal Descendent of "Betsey Mary St. Clair." She is also well known by the name "Old Bets." Her son was known as "Taopi." They are not on the 1886 (McLeod), 1889 (Henton) or 1899 (McLaughlin) Census. Pierce Law Firm, P.A. said "You must provide to this firm the exact name of the individual and the page where the individual is listed on either the 1886, 1889 or 1899 Census from whom you descend;" and Littlejohn Law Firm, LLC, said that I need to "verify the connections to the Wolfchild censuses." From what I have read, Betsey died in 1886. She was mix blood Mdewakantons/Chippewa born and lived all of her life in the Mendota area. I feel that Betsey should be part of Wolfchild Lawsuit.
Taopi died in 1869, but Betsey was a live in 1885, for "She is listed among 180 Mdewakantons who were eligible in April 1885 to receive a portion of the Birch Coulee Indian Seftlement. Old Bets was unable to attend the payment session at Shakopee. John Wakerman, submitted an affidavit, which stated that Old Bets was an "old, feeble woman" residing with her sister, Ellen in St. Paul and that Ellen should be regarded as Bets’ legal guardian. Old Bets was number 106 on the list and her sister was number 105," certify by Walter S. McLeod. (Dakota County Historical Society, 1995)
According to William H.C. Folsom (1817-1900), Minnesota legislator, businessman, and historian, reported that "‘Old Betz,’ who died at an advanced age only two years ago," before his book "Fifty years in the Northwest," was created and published in 1888. (Folsom, 1888) Folson also reports that a Mr. Auguste Larpenteur said "Old Betz told him one day, a short time before her death, in a confidential way, that when soldiers first came to Fort Snelling she was still in her teens. That was in 1819, and, therefore, Old Betz could not have been over eighty-eight when she died." (Folsom, 1888)
Betsey being half Chippewa and Dakota, was thread by other full blood Dakota members as documented in Mary Eastman book, "Dahcotah," and maybe she felt safer living on land provided by Alexander Faribault, then to Henry Sibley’s land, and then with her sister out necessity. (Dakota County Historical Society, 1995) Maybe that why Betsey is not on the 1886 and 1889 census, but Taopi’s sons Samuel and Solon, Betsey’s son Job St. Clair, and grandson Henry Whipple St. Clair are.
The deeds of Taopi and Betsey Mary St. Clair has been written in many book, and quoted on web sites (Exhibit 1). To show "Loyalty," there is; Wabasha and Taopi letter for help to Gen. Sibley, Taopi was granted reward of 500 dollars for helping the white captives, Henry Sibley issued him a certificate of commendation (Exhibit 2), Taopi also testified at the trails, and Taopi was a Scout for General Sibley. "[Sibley] learned that friendly Indians and half-breeds, including Wabasha and Taopi, had taken charge of the captive whites and were ready to release them. On September 26 Sibley entered the Indian camp where they were held. Captives to the number of 269 - 107 white people and 162 half-breeds-were put in his care amid scenes of rejoicing; and the place is known in Sioux War history as ‘Camp Release.’" (Blegen, 1963)
To show Betsey Mary St. Clair "loyalty," Books and Postcards described her as, "Old Bets, a Santee Dakota Sioux that helped Whites during the Sioux uprising of 1862." (Exhibit 3) Betsey had been known to nurse the sick children of army officers stationed at Fort Snelling. And also, "Taopi’s testimony and that of his mother may have resulted in some convictions, but it brought no tangible rewards from the government. He died in extreme poverty in 1869. See the Central Republican, March 3,1869, and the Faribault Republican, October 18, 1871, and also William Welsh, comp., Taopi and His Friends, or the Indians’ Wrongs and Rights (Philadelphia: Claxton, Remsen and Heffelfinger, 1869), pp. 53-54." (Meyer, page 131, 1993). "Some, like Taopi, who testified in trials, were so hated that they dared not go to live among their people after the uprising." (Meyer, 1993)
Before the outbreak. Taopi, had to leave their village of Kaposia after the Treaty of Mendota in 1851. They were removed to a reservation near the Lower Sioux Agency on the Minnesota River. Taopi became the chief of the "farmer Indians," a band made up of men from several of the traditional villages. Bishop Whipple said of him, "When I knew him before the outbreak, he had a house and furniture, and stock, and implements of husbandry, and was a well to do farmer. These later years have seen him a poor homeless wanderer...." (The Lives and Times, 2003)
According to Mary Eastman, Betsey Mary St. Clair husband’s Chief "Good Road" disinherited them, and she went to live with her son Taopi. After the outbreak, Betsey was listed under the Taopi Band at Fort Snelling, in December 2, 1862 (Exhibit 4). (Minnesota Historical Society, page 313-316, 2006)
"Bishop Whipple knew Taopi should not be sent away with other Dakota. Many were angry at him. They would kill him." (The Lives and Times, 2003) Many of them understood that the lives of the Faribault Dakota would be in danger on the reservation. They would be with Dakota who were still angry because they had helped white settlers during the war.
"[Do not reward] our loyalty by delivering us up to...our enemies. ..." Taopi. "So Whipple asked General Sibley to permit Taopi and a few others to stay in Minnesota. He also asked Alexander Faribault to let them to live on his land. Everyone agreed." (The Lives and Times, 2003) "Taopi pleaded with officials to allow his mother to remain behind with him," and was granted. They both when to live on Faribault’s land. (Diedrich, page 70, 1995)
Betsey when on to live on land own by Sibley. "In July, 1867, Reverend Hinman came to escort the Faribault Dakota to a reservation in Nebraska. He knew Taopi and other Dakota from their time at the Lower Sioux Agency. But Taopi and his family refused to leave. They were told that no one would help them anymore, but Hinman and others were not willing to force them out. Finally, about half of the Dakota left Faribault. About 40 remained." Bishop Henry Whipple and Henry Sibley, both ask the government to help Taopi to have a piece of land. The government authorities changed their minds." (The Lives and Times, 2003)
"Even if some land had been found, it would have been too late for Taopi. He became ill on a hunting trip. He returned to Faribault, where he died on February 19, 1869." (The Lives and Times, 2003) Betsey’s death and burial site are a mystery or no records.
The best I understand it, my connection is:
Francis L. Waukazoo, son of
Muriel F. Blacksmith Waukazoo, daughter of
Gilbert C. Blacksmith, who is the son of;
Stephen Blacksmith (Wabasha), son of Thomas Wabasha, son of Wabasha II.
and
Elizabeth (Isabella) St. Clair Blacksmith, daughter of
Nancy St. Clair (Anpahdiwin), daughter of
Betsey Mary St. Clair.(Old Bets).
My father is Ojibwa and Ottawa in which I’m 1/2 Degree of Indian Blood, I’m 1/4 DOIB on my mother’s mother Rosebud Sioux side, but only 1/8 DOIB on my mother’s father Santee side. The Santee Reservation doesn’t recognize my St. Clair side, although Nancy St. Clair and her daughter Isabella are on the 1885, 1890, 1902, and 1917 census rolls for the Santee tribe. Nancy died in 1917, and Isabella passed away in 1955, well living at a nursing home in Pierre, SD. Over hundred years have pass and hate for the St. Clair’s must live on. How does this harm me, I have a niece who’s has a child in needs consent medical attention, Michelle applied for membership with the Huron band of Pottawatomie, in which she was accepted, than rejected for not been 1/2 DOIB. If the Santee tribe or the Mdewakanton tribe of Minnesota would recognize the St. Clair side, my niece’s son could qualify for medical help from the Indian Health Service.
My father told me, either Traditional or Christian, we pray to the same God, the Creater. The way and the truth and the life, through the proper relationship. I believe Betsey and Taopi did the right thing in helping people, but government didn’t help them. I feel bad in knowing they had to suffer, to be Christians.
Sincerely,
Francis L. Waukazoo
Source.
Blegen, Theodore Christian, Minnesota: A History of the State, page 275, 1963.
Diedrich, Mark, Old Betsey; The life and times of a famous Dakota woman and her family. Rochester, Minnesota. Coyote Books: 1995
Eastman, Mary H., (1818-1887) Dahcotah: or, Life and legends of the Sioux around Fort Snelling, 1995.
Fifty Years in the Northwest; With an Introduction and Appendix Containing Reminiscences, By William H. C. (William Henry Carman) Folsom, E. E. (Elijah Evan) Edwards, 1888. Google Book Search,
hftp://books.google.com/books?vidOCLCO 1 984450&id=JTjJzaBOYPEC&pgPRl &lpg=PR1 &dq=William+H.C.±Folsom.
Meyer, Roy W., History of the Santee Sioux: United States Indian Policy on Trial, page 131, 1993.
Minnesota Historical Society, Census of Dakota Indians Interned at Fort Snelling After the Dakota War in 1862, www.mnhs.org/genealogy/dakotafamily/census.htm, pages 3 13-316, 2006.
Over the Years, A publication of the Dakota County Historical Society, Volume 35, Number 2, page 3, December 1995.
Internet Source.
The Lives and Times, Fascinating People of Early Faribault, Taopi, After the Story: 1865-1869, http;//www.ci.faribault.mn.us/history2/Taopi/Taopi after.html, Faribault Heritage Preservation Commission, sgustafson~ci.faribault.mn.us, 2003.
Major resources for the Lives and Times site are listed below:
o Anderson, Gary C. and Alan Woolworth, eds. Through Dakota Eyes. Narrative Acconts of the Minnesota Indian War of 1862. Minnesota Historical Society; 1988.
o Brown, Jennifer S. H. Strangers in blood: fur trade company families in Indian country. Vancouver : University of British Columbia Press, 1980.
o Buck, Herbert L. Early Fur Trading on the Cannon River, Rice County. Read at a meeting of the Rice County Historical Society, October 22, 1934.
o Bjork, Kenneth 0. The Alexander Faribault house. Minnesota Historical Society Collections. p. 320-324 ; ill. ; 26 cm.
o Collections of the Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour, Faribault, Minnesota.
o Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn , compiler. History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota. Chicago : H.C. Cooper, Jr., 1910.
Diedrich, Mark
o Taopi: Farmer Chief of the Mdewakanton Dakota in Minnesota Archeologist; June, 1981.
o Old Betsey; The life and times of a famous Dakota woman and her family. Rochester, Minnesota. Coyote Books: 1995
o Meyer, Roy Willard. History of the Santee Sioux : United States Indian policy on trial. Rev. ed. Lincoln; University of Nebraska Press, c1993.
Minnesota Historical Society collections:
o Bishop Henry B. Whipple records, 1859-1899
o Henry B. Whipple papers, 1833-1934
o Henry B. Whipple scrapbooks, 1850-1932 [microform].
o Mary J. Whipple letters, 1854-1911.
o Whipple-Scandrett family papers, 1829-1959.
o Munson, Raymond. Rice County : the story of its discovery and settlement. Minnesota. Federal Writers Project: 1938.
o Nute, Grace Lee. Alexander Faribault In: Minnesota Historical Society Collections. p. 177-180.
o Osgood, Phillips Endecott. Straight Tongue. A Story of Henry Benjamin Whipple. First Episcopal Bishop of Minnesota. T.S. Denison & Company, Minneapolis; 1958.
o Portraits and memories of Rice County, Minnesota. Rice County Historical Society: 1987.
o Steimann, Richard J. The Wapacootas and the white man; the story of the early devekpmcnt of Faribault. M.A. Thesis, University of Minnesota: 1971.
o Swanberg, L.E. Then & now: a history of Rice County, Faribault & communities. 1857-1907. Publication Committee: 1909.
o Tanner George Clinton. Fifty Years of Church Work in the Diocese of Minnesota 1857-1907. Publication Committee; 1909.
Tschofen, Carmen.
o Hometown History: Looking at Faribault, Minnesota. Faribault Heritage Preservation Commission: 1996.
o Guide Handbook: Faribault Heritage Preservation Tours. Faribault Heritage Preservation Commission: 1999.
o Whipple, Henry Benjamin. Lights and Shadows of a Long Episcopate. MacMillan Company, London: 1899.
o Zalin, Thomas R. Historic Contexts, City of Faribault. St. Paul, n.d.
Exhibit(s)
Exhibits 1.
Postcard of "Taopi," described as," Taopee-Wounded Man, "Friendly Sioux Indian..."
Minnesota Historical Society, mnhs.org, Visual Resources Database, Search; "Taopi".
collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/Results.cfm?page= 1 &Keywords=taopi&SearchType
=Basic&CFID=1 273 986&CFTOKEN=67 118012
and
Book form description of Taopi, "Taopi-Wounded man-a friendly Sioux Indian, chirfly instrumental in bringing the white settlers in safety to camp during the Indian War of 1862. He was a son of Old Bets."
Aborigines of Minnesota, A report, Based on the collections of Jacob V. Brower, and on the field surveys and notes of Alfred J. Hill and Theodore H. Lewis, Published by, The Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul Minn., The Pioneer Company, 1911.
Exhibit 2.
Henry Sibley issued a certificate of commendation to Taopi.
The Lives and Times, Fascinating People of Early Faribault, Taopi, After the Story: 1865-1869, www.ci.faribault.mn.us/history2/Taopi/Taopiafter.html, Faribault Heritage Preservation Commission, s gustafson~ci.faribault.mn.us, 2003.
Exhibit 3.
Postcard of "Old Bets," described her as, "Old Bets, a Sioux Squaw who will long remembered
with gratitude by many of the Minnesota Captives, for her kindness to them while among the Sioux in 1862."
Minnesota Historical Society, mnhs.org, Visual Resources Database, Search; "Old Bets".
collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/Results.cfm?Page=z 1 &Keywords~old%20bets&Searc
hType=Basic&CFID~ 1273 986&CFTOKEN=67 118012
Exhibit 4.
1863 List of Indians at Ft. Snelling, page 315, list Taopi’s Band, in which Taopi, Betsey are listed.
Minnesota Historical Society, mnhs.org, Dakota War of 1862 (Dakota Conflict)
www.mnhs.org/library/tips/historytopics/94dakota.html
Census of Dakota Indians Interned at Fort Snelling After the Dakota War in 1862
www.mnhs.org/genealogy/dakotafamily/census 1863/indian_index313.htm
Page 315.
www.mnhs.org/genea1ogy/dakotafamily/census1863/indiancampcensus315 .pdf
Francis L. Waukazoo lineal descendent of Betsey Mary St. Clair (Old Bets).
Child Relateship Parent Exhibit(s)
Francis L. Waukazoo, son of Muriel F. Blacksmith Waukazoo (A)
Muriel F. Blacksmith, daughter of Gilbert C. Blacksmith (B, C)
Gilbert C. Blacksmith, son of Isabella St. Clair Blacksmith (D, E, F)
Isabella St. Clair, daughter of Nancy Anpahdiwin St. Clair (F)
Nancy Anpahdiwin St. Clair, daughter of Betsey Mary St. Clair (Old Bets) (G)
A. Certificate of Birth, Francis L. Waukazoo, mother Muriel Florence Blacksmith.
B. The Holy Sacrament of Baptism, Muriel Florence Blacksmith, father Gilbert Blacksmith.
C. Index and Heirship Card, Muriel Blacksmith, father Gilbert Blacksmith.
D. Holy Baptism, Gilbert Blacksmith, mother Isabella St. Clair.
E. Tribal Census Certificate, Gilbert Blacksmith, mother Isabella St. Clair.
F. Santee Agency Baptismal Ledger 1843-1904, Records of the Episcopal Diocese of South
Dakota, pages 268-269, The Center for Western Studies, Box 727, Augustana College, Sioux
Falls, SD 57197. augie.edu/CWS
www.wambdimoni.com/dakota_church_records/church%20files2/Santee%20Agency%2O
Baptismal%20Ledger%20 1843-1904/jpeg/Picture%20137.jpg
Gilbert Blacksmith, son of Isabella (Blacksmith),
Isabella (Blacksmith), daughter of Nancy Anpahdiwin,
Nancy Anpahdiwin, no parents given.
G. Old Betsey; The life and times of a famous Dakota woman and her family. Rochester,
Minnesota. Coyote Books:1995, Old Betsey Genealogy, pages 133-134.
Nancy St. Clair (Anpahdiwin), daughter of Betsey Mary St. Clair, "Old Bets."
end
Front Page
To: CLERK’S OFFICE
THE ATTACHED ITEM IS TO BE:
...
_X_ Returned to party __(per attached letter.)___
... . . . Signature C.F. Lettow
Date 1/10/07
Back page
Docket No._03-2984_
UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
RECEIVED
OCT 11 2006
CHAMBERS OF
JUDGE LETTOW
MEMORANDUM
TO: JUDGE _Lettow_
FROM: CLERK’S OFFICE
The attached was received on _10\11\06_
and the following defect(s) is/are noted:
... . . .
6._X_ No provision in the Rules (or court order) for the filing of this item
...
Derek
Deputy Clerk
end
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
No. 03-2684L and No. 01-568L (consolidated)
(Filed: January 10, 2007)
______________________________
SHELDON PETERS WOLFCHILD, et al., )
Plaintiffs, )
UNITED STATES, )
Defendant. )
_____________________________)
ORDER
During the months since the court rendered the decision in Wolfchild v. United States, 72 Fed. Cl. 511(2006) ("Wolfchild III"), seventeen individuals have written letters or provided submissions to the court, indicating an interest in participating in this action. Many of those communications included recitations of alleged fact or documentation tending to show a link to an ancestor who may have been a "loyal Mdewakanton," see Wolfchild III, 72 Fed. Cl. at 514, and thus a potential beneficiary of the Indian trust at issue in this proceeding. None of the seventeen corresponding individuals submitted a motion for leave to intervene accompanied by a proposed complaint as intervening plaintiff, required by this court’s rules for joinder as a party to the action, see Rule 24(c) of the Rules of the Court of Federal Claims ("RCFC"), and thus, none of the submissions was filed by the Clerk of the court. All were referred to the court for disposition.
By this order the court directs the Clerk to return the submissions to each pertinent individual, and the seventeen submissions shall remain unfiled. The Clerk shall provide each of the communicating individuals with a copy of this order. Should any of the individuals who made such a submission wish to pursue their interest in participating in this case, they must file a motion to intervene, with an accompanying proposed complaint in compliance with this court’s rules, and they shall include in and with such a motion a showing of good cause why they were unable to request intervention prior to the deadline of July 12, 2006, for such action.1
________________
1 Potential claimants who desired to participate in this action as plaintiffs were originally required by the court to join in an amended complaint or to file a motion to intervene and accompanying proposed complaint no later than April 28, 2006. The court thereafter granted two
1 page
Some of the communicating individuals refer to counsel for one or more of the groups of intervening plaintiffs in this case, particularly Mr. Montana, and thus it is possible that some of the individuals are already intervenors and have representation by counsel. Nonetheless, the court has caused copies of each of the seventeen unfiled submissions to be appended to this order. By this action, copies of the submissions will be served upon counsel for plaintiffs, defendant, and intervenors, and also became part of the record in this action. Among other things, the date each submission was received may later be used to provide a reference point for evaluating good cause should any subsequent motion for leave to intervene be filed.
Finally, participation in this case on apro se basis, without counsel, is strongly discouraged. Management of this proceeding is a challenging task, particularly in light of the fact that roughly 20,000 persons are participating as plaintiffs or intervening plaintiffs, with the intervening plaintiffs broken up into 36 separate groups. Three Indian communities are also involved. To aid in management of the action, the case is about to be converted to electronic filing, and, under the court’s procedures, electronic filing arrangements are not ordinarily available for pro se claimants. Accordingly, any of the corresponding individuals who desire to participate should contact counsel, either counsel for one of the existing groups of intervening plaintiffs, or counsel of their own choosing. Alternatively, if representation by this means has been pursued diligently, but proves to be infeasible, affected individuals should contact the clerk’s office which will explore whether assistance might be available from a clinical program of a law school in the Northern Plains area or from another legal services program.
It is so ORDERED.
Charle F. Lettow
Judge
________________
extensions of this deadline, first to June 23, 2006, see Order of April 19, 2006, and then to July 12, 2006. See Order of June 16, 2006. By way of its decision rendered August 22, 2006, the court subsequently acted on each of the then-pending motions to intervene. See Wolfchild III, 72 Fed. Cl. at 518-21.
Months in advance of the original deadline, extensive efforts had been taken by plaintiffs, at the direction of the court, to provide notice to other potential plaintiffs, either by individual notice or by numerous publications in newspapers and magazines. See Wolfchild v. United States, 68 Fed. Cl. 779, 795-798, 801-05 (2005) ("Wolfchild II").
2 page
end