William Langer graduated from UND in 1906 and had a long career in politics. He was North Dakota Attorney General from 1917 until 1920 and served twice as Governor: from 1933 to 1934 and from 1937 until 1939. Elected to the United States Senate in 1941, he served until his death in 1959.
The digitization of these papers has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the human endeavor. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this website, do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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"Voice of the People" from Justin Spotted Bear et al., Demanding an Audit of Tribal Funds, January 28, 1952
Justin Spotted Bear
This document dated January 28, 1952, signed by Justin Spotted Bear on behalf of "a council held by sixty people of the Arikaree, Mandan, Gros Ventre at residence of James H. Eagle," demands "an audit of all monies collected and spent belonging to the three affiliated tribes on the Fort Berthold Reservation per special funds listed below..."
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to Oscar Chapman Regarding Resolution Demanding Audit of Tribal Funds, February 14, 1952
Letter from Senator Langer to J. Howard McGrath Regarding James Black Dog's Request for FBI Investigation of Tribal Funds, January 18, 1952
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Resolution Adopted by the Three Affiliated Tribes Pertaining to Endorsement of Candidate for Commissioner of Indian Affairs, December 27, 1952; Preceded by Cover Letter from Martin Cross, January 16, 1953
Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation and Martin Cross
This resolution passed on December 27, 1952, by the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, resolves to endorse Edward A. Milligan of Bottineau North Dakota to be appointed as United States (US) Commissioner of Indian Affairs. The resolution cites Milligan's qualifications for the position. The resolution passed with a vote of 50 for and 0 against. The resolution is signed by Ernest Wilkinson Jr. (Secretary) and David Painte (Chairman). A handwritten note on the resolution reads, "copy."
The resolution is preceded by a letter dated January 16, 1953 from Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross to US Senator William Langer. In this letter, Cross expresses dismay that the current US Commissioner Dillion S. Myer is campaigning to stay on the job. Cross indicates that he sent copies of the enclosed resolution to Ed Mulligan and Arthur E. Summerfield. Cross asks Langer to support Mulligan and to oppose Myer.
See also:
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
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Letter from Arne Tollefson to Senator Langer Regarding Federal Funding for Road Construction, December 2, 1952
Arne Tollefson
This letter, dated December 2, 1952, from McKenzie Country Auditor Arne Tollefson to United States (US) Senator William Langer, conveys to Langer the wishes of the McKenzie Country board of commissioners, as expressed in an attached resolution, that a proposed road from the Fort Berthold Reservation to North Dakota road no. 23 be constructed at federal expense, as its construction "is made necessary by the construction of the Garrison Dam and the relocation of the Indian population on the reservation," and because the proposed road "will not be of great use to the people of the county generally."
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to Arne Tollefson Regarding Federal Funding for Road Construction, December 10, 1952
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Letter from C.H. Chorpening to Senator Langer Regarding Reinterment of Ancestors on Fort Berthold Land due to the Construction of the Garrison Dam, June 7, 1951
C. H. Chorpening
This letter dated June 7, 1951 from Brigadier General C. H. Chorpening, Assistant Chief of Engineers for Civil Works, US Army Corps of Engineers, to United States (US) Senator William Langer acknowledges Langer's May 31 letter to General Lewis A. Pick regarding the re-interment of ancestors on the Fort Berthold Reservation due to inundation by the construction of the Garrison Dam. Chorpening says that he will look into it and write back to Langer. A handwritten note at the top of the letter reads, "Fort Berthold."
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to General Lewis Pick Regarding Reinterment of Ancestors on Fort Berthold Land due to the Construction of the Garrison Dam, May 31, 1951
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Letter from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Regarding US Public Law 81-437, January 16, 1951
Martin Cross
This letter dated January 16, 1951, from Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross to United States (US) Senator William Langer, appears to be a form letter used to address non-tribal members who owned land within the taking area following the taking of land for the construction of the Garrison Dam. The Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Council passed at least one resolution affirming that the money set aside by US Congress for their land not be used to pay non-tribal members for land within the taking area. The letter says that it encloses a resolution from the Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Business Council passed on November 9, 1950. The Resolution, according to the letter, pertains to the appropriation of funds under US Public Law 437 (also known as "An Act to Vest Title to Certain Lands of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota, in the United States, and to Provide Compensation Therefor" better known as "The Taking Act"). The letter indicates that the reader should look to the US Army and not to the US Indian Agency for payment. A copy of the November 9th resolution is not enclosed with this document.
See also:
An Act to Vest Title to Certain Lands of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota, in the United States, and to Provide Compensation Therefor (The Taking Act)
Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Thanking Cross for Sending a Copy of the Resolution Recently Passed by the Tribal Business Council, February 6, 1951
Resolution Adopted by the Three Affiliated Tribes Pertaining to Allocation of Funds Set Aside Per US Public Law 437 for the Taking of Lands for the Garrison Dam, December 14, 1950
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Letter from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Enclosing Resolution Adopted by Three Affiliated Tribes Regarding Allocation of Funds from the Taking of their Land, April 25, 1951
Martin Cross and Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Business Council
This letter, dated April 25, 1951, from Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross to United States (US) Senator William Langer encloses a resolution adopted by the Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Business Council on April 13, 1951. The resolution concerns the administration of funds allotted to the Three Affiliated Tribes for the taking of their land due to construction of the Garrison Dam. Cross is concerned that once the tribes receive the money the US Government will stop providing certain kinds of assistance to them and he expresses a wish to obtain this information before moving forward. A copy of the resolution is enclosed with this letter.
See also:
Three Affiliated Tribes Resolution Regarding Allocation of Funds to the Credit of the Tribe for the Taking of their Land, Adopted April 13, 1951
Letter from Martin Cross to Senator Burdick Forwarding a Resolution Passed by the Three Affiliated Tribes on April 13, 1951 and Expressing Concern over Government Assistance Withdrawal, April 25, 1951
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Telegram from D. B. Ditzlaugh to Senator Langer Regarding Road From Lost Bridge to Dickinson, May 9, 1951
D. B. Ditzlaugh
This telegram dated May 9, 1951, from Killdeer, ND road chairperson Dr. D. B. Ditzlaugh to United States (US) Senator William Langer, makes reference to a bridge called the "Lost Bridge" and to plans to build a road through the Fort Berthold Reservation to connect with the north end of the bridge. Ditzlaugh asks Langer's help in getting a road build from the south end of the bridge to Dickinson, ND.
See also:
Letter from Thomas MacDonald to Senator Langer Regarding Road from Lost Bridge to Dickenson, May 23, 1951
Letter from H. Tobias to Senator Langer Regarding Road to Lost Bridge, May 23, 1951
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Letter from Irene Martin Edwards for Langer to Joe P. Skalsky Regarding Settlement of Contract, October 25, 1951
Irene Edwards
This letter dated October 25, 1951, from Irene Martin Edwards, secretary to United States (US) Senator William Langer, to Joe P. Skalsky of the Skalsky Coal Mine, makes reference to the settlement of Skalsky's contract which she says Langer will be happy to know of it, "as he has been very interested in your case."
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Letter from Irene Martin Edwards on Behalf of Senator Langer to Martin Cross Acknowledging Receipt of Resolution Adopted by the Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Council, May 16, 1951
Irene Martin Edwards
This letter dated May 16, 1951, from Irene Martin Edwards on behalf of United States (US) Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross, thanks Cross for sending a resolution passed by the Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Business Council. The letter indicates that Langer brought the matter to the US Commissioner of the Indian Bureau and that Langer will update Cross once he hears back from the Commissioner. Based on other correspondences, the Commissioner mentioned here is likely Dillon Myer.
There are some handwritten annotations on this letter.
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to Dillon Myer Forwarding Copy of Resolution Adopted by Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Council, May 16, 1951
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Letter from John Hart to Senator Langer Regarding Fort Berthold Health Program, April 23, 1951
John B. Hart
This letter dated April 23, 1951 from John B. Hart, Executive Director of the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission, to United States (US) Senator William Langer encloses a news clipping regarding the health program for the tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation. Hart says that he thinks the program will result in better health care for the tribes in part because it will allow tribal members to choose their own doctors. The news clipping is enclosed with this document and does not contain a date or an indication of what paper it came from. There are some shorthand notes on the back of Hart's letter.
See also:
Letter from John Hart to Senator Enclosing an April 7 News Bulletin Regarding the Fort Berthold Health Program, April 23, 1951
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Letter from John Hart to Senator Langer Enclosing an April 7 News Bulletin Regarding the Fort Berthold Health Program, April 23, 1951
John Hart and Fort Berthold Agency
This letter dated April 23, 1951 from North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission Executive Director John B. Hart to United States (US) Senator William Langer encloses a Fort Berthold Agency News Bulletin regarding the new Health Program proposals. This new health plan is designed to ensure that members of the Three Affiliated Tribes continue to receive adequate healthcare following the closing of the hospital in Elbowoods due to inundation by the Garrison Dam project. The Bulletin is dated April 7, 1951. The Bulletin was written and signed by Fort Berthold Agency Superintendent R.W. Quinn. There are some shorthand notes on Hart's letter.
See also:
Letter from John Hart to Senator Langer Regarding Fort Berthold Health Program, April 23, 1951
Letter from Senator Langer to John Hart Thanking Him for Information Regarding the Fort Berthold Health Program, May 3, 1951
Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Forwarding the Congressional Record for February 7 which Contains the Resolution Adopted by the Fort Berthold Inter-Agency Committee, February 8, 1952
Congressional Record (Senate), February 7, 1952 Vol. 98, Part 1--Bound Edition
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Letter from Senator Langer to Dillon Myer Forwarding Copy of Resolution Adopted by Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Council, May 16, 1951
William Langer
This letter dated May 16, 1951 from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Commissioner of the US Bureau of Indian Affairs Dillion Myer refers to an enclosed copy of a resolution passed by the Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Business Council. Langer asks for Myer's comments on the resolution, which he says is "self-explanatory." The copy of the resolution mentioned as enclosed was not found with this letter in Langer's papers.
This letter contains some handwritten notes.
See also:
Letter from Irene Martin Edwards on Behalf of Senator Langer to Martin Cross Acknowledging Receipt of Resolution Adopted by the Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Council, May 16, 1951
Letter from Dillon Myer to Senator Langer Acknowledging Receipt of May 16 Letter Enclosing Three Affiliated Tribes Resolution with Copy of Letter to Martin Cross, May 24, 1951
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Letter from Senator Langer to Edwin and Beatrice Zimmerman Regarding the Naming of the Garrison Dam Reservoir, October 2, 1951
William Langer
This letter dated October, 1951, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Edwin and Beatrice Zimmerman marks the receipt of their letter from August 11, 1951. Langer thanks the Zimmermans and informs them that the name of Lake Thompson “has already been decided.” The letter is marked with the handwritten annotation “Garrison Dam.”
See also:
Letter from Edwin and Beatrice Zimmerman to Senator Langer Regarding the Naming of the Garrison Dam Reservoir, August 11, 1951
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Letter from Senator Langer to Eva Sandberger Regarding Martin Sandberger, February 16, 1951
William Langer
In this letter, dated February 16, 1951, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Eva A. Sandberger, Langer thanks her for her letter, which was forwarded to him by Michael Moore, resettlement officer for the Lutheran World Federation. Langer says that he is sure she must be happy that the life of her husband, convicted Nazi war criminal Martin Sandberger, has been spared.
See also:
Letter from Eva Sandberger to Senator Langer Regarding Martin Sandberger, November 18, 1949
Letter from Eva A. Sandberger to Senator Langer Thanking Him for His Efforts on Behalf of Her Husband, Martin Sandberger, December 2, 1950
Einsatzgruppen Case: Opening Statement for Defense - Dr. Mandry for Martin Sandberger, International Military Tribunal
Einsatzgruppen Case: Direct Examination of Martin Sandberger, International Military Tribunal
Einsatzgruppen Case: Redirect Examination (Defense) of Martin Sandberger, International Military Tribunal
Einsatzgruppen Case: Presentation of Evidence (Von Stein for Sandberger), International Military Tribunal
Einsatzgruppen Case: Closing Argument (Summation) (Von Stein for Sandberger), International Military Tribunal
Einsatzgruppen Case: Judgement (and official opinion), International Military Tribunal
Einsatzgruppen Case: Individual Judgements, International Military Tribunal
Einsatzgruppen Case: Sentencing, International Military Tribunal
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Letter from Senator Langer to General Lewis Pick Regarding Reinterment of Ancestors on Fort Berthold Land due to the Construction of the Garrison Dam, May 31, 1951
William Langer
This letter dated May 31, 1951 from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Major General Lewis A. Pick regarding the reinterment of 1,942 ancestors from the Fort Berthold Reservation prior to the area's inundation due to the construction of the Garrison Dam. Langer has found a funeral home willing to take the contract and asks Pick to contact him so they can coordinate the effort. There are some handwritten notes on the letter.
See also:
Letter from C.H. Chorpening to Senator Langer Regarding Reinterment of Ancestors on Fort Berthold Land due to the Construction of the Garrison Dam, June 7, 1951
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Letter from Senator Langer to John B. Hart Regarding Levings's Request to Receive Inundation Funds, May 15, 1951
William Langer
This letter, dated May 15, 1951, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to John B. Hart, Executive Director of the North Dakota Indian Commission, refers to a letter Langer has received from Barney Piesek concerning Martin Levings of the Fort Berthold Reservation of North Dakota.
Levings has purchased property from Piesek and would like to receive his share of inundation funds paid by the US government for land inundated by the waters of the Garrison Dam reservoir, so that he can pay for improvements to the property he has purchased from Piesek.
Langer asks Hart to check into the matter and advise Langer on whether it is possible for Levings to withdraw the desired funds to complete his improvements.
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Letter from Senator Langer to John Hart Thanking Him for Information Regarding the Fort Berthold Health Program, May 3, 1951
William Langer
This letter dated May 3, 1951 from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Executive Director of the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission John B. Hart thanks Hart for his April 23 letter in which he enclosed information regarding the Fort Berthold health program. Langer writes that the program sounds satisfactory. There are some handwritten notes on the letter.
See also:
Letter from John Hart to Senator Langer Enclosing an April 7 News Bulletin Regarding the Fort Berthold Health Program, April 23, 1951
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Letter from Senator Langer to Lillie Wolf Regarding the Inundation of Her Lands by the Garrison Dam, October 20, 1951
William Langer
In this letter, dated October 20, 1951 from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Lillie Wolf of Elbowoods, North Dakota, Langer makes reference to a reply he has received from the US Department of the Interior in response to an inquiry he has made on Wolf's behalf regarding the inundation of her property by the Garrison Dam.
Langer refers to the reply he received being enclosed with his letter to Wolf, but there was no enclosure attached to this letter when it was found in the Langer Papers.
Note: while Langer spells Wolf's first name "Lily," Wolf's own signature on other documents spell it "Lillie".
See also:
Statement of Lillie Wolf to United States Congress, May 21, 1950
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Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Regarding a Report from the Bureau of Indian Affairs Regarding a Resolution Passed by the Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Business Council, June 8, 1951
William Langer
This letter dated June 8, 1951 from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairman Martin Cross encloses a report from the Bureau of Indian Affairs regarding a resolution passed by the Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Business Council on April 13, 1951. The resolution outlines a plan for allocating the funds set aside for the tribe as payment for lands taken for the construction of the Garrison Dam. Langer writes that he is pleased that the US Bureau of Indian Affairs approved the plan outlined in the resolution.
The resolution is not included with this document, but the letters from Myer to Langer and from Chapman to Cross are enclosed.
This letter includes some annotations and a stamp that reads, "reelection."
See also:
Three Affiliated Tribes Resolution Regarding Allocation of Funds to the Credit of the Tribe for the Taking of their Land, Adopted April 13, 1951
Letter from Dillon Myer to Senator Langer Acknowledging Receipt of May 16 Letter Enclosing Three Affiliated Tribes Resolution with Copy of Letter to Martin Cross, May 24, 1951
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Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Thanking Cross for Sending a Copy of the Resolution Recently Passed by the Tribal Business Council, February 6, 1951
William Langer
This letter dated February 6, 1951, from United States Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross, thanks Cross for sending a copy of the resolution recently passed by the Tribal Business Council which passed on November 9, 1950.
The letter has a handwritten note that reads, "Cross, Martin" and a stamp that reads, "reelection."
See also:
Letter from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Regarding US Public Law 81-437, January 16, 1951
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Letter from Senator Langer to Mrs. H.T. Burns Regarding the Naming of the Garrison Dam Reservoir, October 1, 1951
William Langer
This letter dated October 1, 1951, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Mrs. H.T. Burns of Garrison, North Dakota, acknowledges receipt of Burns’s letter suggesting the Garrison Dam reservoir be named after one of the tribes of North Dakota, and thanks her for sharing her views, before informing her that the decision has already been made to name the reservoir Lake Thompson.
The letter is marked with the handwritten annotation “Garrison Dam.”
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Letter from Senator Langer to Ralph Shane Regarding the Naming of the Garrison Dam Reservoir, October 9, 1951
William Langer
This letter dated October 9, 1951, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Ralph Shane of Elbowoods, North Dakota thanks Shane for his letter suggesting that the reservoir formed by the Garrison Dam be called Lake Sakakawea, a name Langer calls "good and fitting." However, he informs Shane, the decision has already been made to call the reservoir "Lake Thompson."
The letter includes the handwritten annotation “Garrison Dam.”
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Letter from Thomas MacDonald to Senator Langer Regarding Road from Lost Bridge to Dickenson, May 23, 1951
Thomas MacDonald
This letter dated May 23, 1951, from Commissioner of United States (US) Department of Public Roads to US Senator William Langer, refers to a letter and clipping Langer received, and forwarded to MacDonald, from Dr. D. B. Ditzlaugh, Chairperson of Roads for the town of Killdeer, North Dakota (ND). In Ditzlaugh's letter, Ditzlaugh asks for assistance in getting a road built from the Lost Bridge to Dickenson, ND.
In MacDonald's reply, he explains that while one section of the proposed road is included in the federal system plan approved for ND, the state has not included any work in this road in its own plans. Another section of this road is not included in the federal plan.
MacDonald urges that Ditzlaugh and other interested parties contact the ND State Highway Department regarding the proposed highway.
See also:
Telegram from D. B. Ditzlaugh to Senator Langer Regarding Road From Lost Bridge to Dickinson, May 9, 1951
Letter from H. Tobias to Senator Langer Regarding Road to Lost Bridge, May 23, 1951
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Letter from Dillon Myer to Senator Langer Acknowledging Receipt of May 16 Letter Enclosing Three Affiliated Tribes Resolution with Copy of Letter from Martin Cross, May 24, 1951
Dillon Myer
This letter dated May 24, 1951 from Dillon Myer, Commissioner of the United States (US) Bureau of Indian Affairs, to US Senator William Langer thanks Langer for sending a copy of a resolution passed by the Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Business Council outlining a plan for sending the funds provided to the Tribes for land taken for the construction of the Garrison Dam.
Myer's letter encloses a letter from Oscar L. Chapman, Secretary of the US Department of the Interior, to Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairman Martin Cross in which Chapman approves the proposed use of funds per the tribal resolution. The enclosed letter from Chapman is included with this document.
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to Dillon Myer Forwarding Copy of Resolution Adopted by Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Council, May 16, 1951
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Three Affiliated Tribes Resolution Regarding Allocation of Funds to the Credit of the Tribe for the Taking of their Land, Adopted April 13, 1951
Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Business Council
This resolution adopted by the Three Affiliated Tribes on April 13, 1951 and sent to the United States (US) Bureau of Indian Affairs and to US Senator William Langer offers a plan for how the tribes wish to spend the settlement money allocated by US Public Law 437 for the taking of tribal lands due to the construction of the Garrison Dam. The resolution is signed by George Gillette, Secretary of the Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Council. The resolution has a stamp at the top that reads, "please return to Senator Langer" and another that reads, "Bureau of Indian Affairs, Received May 17, 1951."
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Regarding a Report from the Bureau of Indian Affairs Regarding a Resolution Passed by the Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Business Council, June 8, 1951
Letter from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Enclosing Resolution Adopted by Three Affiliated Tribes Regarding Allocation of Funds from the Taking of their Land, April 25, 1951