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.
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Letter from H. Tobias to Senator Langer Regarding Road to Lost Bridge, May 23, 1951
H. Tobias
This letter dated May 23, 1951, from Acting Forth Berthold Agency Director H. Tobias to United States (US) Senator William Langer, refers to a brief meeting held between Langer and a delegation, including Fort Berthold Highway Engineer Ralph M. Shane, who are working on a proposed road between the Lost Bridge and Killdeer, North Dakota (ND). Tobias mentions that a copy of the Fort Berthold Reservation's Road Replacement Plan was used during the meeting, but he did not believe a copy was left with Langer and is therefore forwarding a copy to Langer for his information and reference.
Tobias goes on to relate that the delegation's meeting with ND Governor Norman Brunsdale and ND State Highway Commissioner S. W. Thompson seemed "quite impressed" with the value of the proposed connection to the State Highway System and with its potential humanitarian value for the families who live in this large and otherwise inaccessible area.
See also:
Telegram from D. B. Ditzlaugh to Senator Langer Regarding Road From Lost Bridge to Dickinson, May 9, 1951
Letter from Thomas MacDonald to Senator Langer Regarding Road from Lost Bridge to Dickinson, May 23, 1951
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Letter from Edwin and Beatrice Zimmerman to Senator Langer Regarding the Naming of the Garrison Dam Reservoir, August 11, 1951
Edwin Zimmerman and Beatrice Zimmerman
This handwritten letter dated August 11, 1951, from Edwin and Beatrice Zimmerman to United States (US) Senator Langer expresses the desire for the lake created by the Garrison Dam to be named for “those being displaced from Fort Berthold Reservation.” The Zimmermans explain they are among “the first white settlers” and consider the proposed name of Thompson Lake as “most inappropriate and is wasting a golden opportunity to preserve in a name some of the heritage of our state.”
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Letter from Senator Langer to Edwin and Beatrice Zimmerman Regarding the Naming of the Garrison Dam Reservoir, October 2, 1951
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Letter from Ralph Case to Senator Langer Enclosing List of Fort Berthold Tribal Business Council Members, July 12, 1950
Ralph H. Case
This letter dated July 12, 1950, from Ralph Hoyt Case to United States (US) Senator William Langer, encloses a list of the members of the Tribal Business Council of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation. Case states that a copy of the pending US Senate Bill 3303, currently before the US Department of the Interior, is enclosed. Case discusses the people of Standing Rock Reservation's interest in US House Resolution 7433, which addresses distribution of awards in Pony Claims cases and is also before the US Department of the Interior for a report. US Senate Bill 3303 is not attached to the document. A handwritten note on the document says, "Indians."
See Also:
Letter from Senator Langer to Ralph Case Regarding List of Fort Berthold Tribal Business Council Members, July 19, 1950
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Letter from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Informing Langer that Cross is a Candidate for Tribal Chairperson for the Three Affiliated Tribes, September 9, 1950
Martin Cross
This handwritten letter dated September 9, 1950, from Three Affiliated Tribes member Martin Cross to United States (US) Senator William Langer, informs Langer that Cross is a candidate for Chairperson of the Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Council. In the preliminary vote held on September 5, 1950, Cross received the highest number of votes for any person seeking the candidacy. Cross indicates that there may be a high turn over of Tribal Council members, and he feels hopeful that the new council will work against the "old ideas and philosophies" of the previous council. Cross indicates that he wants to address US Senate Bill 3387 (S. 3387) as soon as he takes office.
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Letter from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Informing Langer that Cross was Elected Tribal Chairperson of the Three Affiliated Tribes, September 26, 1950
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Letter from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Informing Langer that Cross was Elected Tribal Chairperson of the Three Affiliated Tribes, September 26, 1950
Martin Cross
This handwritten letter dated September 26, 1950, from Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross to United States (US) Senator William Langer, informs Langer that he has been elected as chairperson of the Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Council. Cross indicates that he was opposed by Carl Whitman Jr., and he includes the vote counts cast for each of them. Cross says that he thought Langer would want to share in his happiness of this news.
See also:
Letter from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Informing Langer that Cross is a Candidate for Tribal Chairperson for the Three Affiliated Tribes, September 9, 1950
Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Offering Good Wishes for Cross's Appointment to the Tribal Council for the Three Affiliated Tribes, September 27, 1950
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Letter from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Regarding Carl Whitman and Senate Bill 3587, June 28, 1950.
Martin Cross
This handwritten letter dated June 28, 1950, from Three Affiliated Tribes member Martin Cross to United States (US) Senator William Langer, informs Langer that tribal council members Carl Whitman and Mark Mahto and Superintendent Rex W. Z---- (last name illegible) are in Washington, D.C., but they do not speak for Cross's group. Cross asks Langer to not give this group an advantage over the others on the reservation. Cross expresses some concern regarding US Senate Bill 3587 (S. 3587) which he calls "his bill." Cross asks Langer to send him any updates.
See also:
Three Affiliated Tribes Resolution Dated April 14, 1950 Sent from Martin Cross to Senator Langer with Note Regarding Senate Bill 3305 Dated June 29, 1950
Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Regarding Senate Bill 3587 and House Resolution 8411, July 6, 1950
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Telegram from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Regarding House Resolution 8411 and a Request for a Hearing, May 19, 1950
Martin Cross
This telegram dated May 19, 1950, from Three Affiliated Tribes member Martin Cross to United States (US) Senator William Langer, references US House Resolution 8411 (H.R. 8411) and requests a hearing for May 25 or 26. Cross says that he will will arrive May 22 (presumably to Washington, D.C.).
There are some handwritten annotations on the telegram.
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Regarding Cross's Request for a Hearing, June 12, 1950
Letter from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Regarding Three Affiliated Tribes Resolution Dated April 14, 1950 and Senate Bill 3303, June 29, 1950
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Letter from H. F. Gierke, Jr. Regarding Lack of Progress in Moving and Logging in Area to be Inundated by Garrison Dam, June 18, 1950
H. F. Gierke Jr.
This letter, dated June 18, 1950, from H. F. Gierke of Watford City, North Dakota to United States (US) Senator William Langer takes issue with the fact that, in his words, "The Indians [...] are anxious to move but are forced to waste a yr [sic] because Govt want [sic] tell them where the new agency will be located, where the roads [...] schools, churches etc will be."
Gierke adds that the bottomlands on the Fort Berthold Reservation are rich in timber, but that none of it has been salvaged yet, and that such salvage is hampered by the absence of roads into the bottomlands, and asks, "Now, and I mean Now...Why don't they lay out the towns, roads, schools, wells and bulldoze roads into these bottoms so the Indians who have ambition can go ahead."
Gierke goes on to render his opinion that offering Farmer's Home Administration loans to tribal members for farm machinery is "financial suicide," as, he says, "I don't believe there is an Indian on the reservation who can even lubricate a tractor, not because of lack of intelligence, but because of lack of instruction."
In conclusion he replies to Langer's question on the telephone situation, writing "[W]e have none we would be glad to have one if we can get even 1/2 of a fair price for our produce so we can pay for it."
In the upper right-hand corner is a handwritten notation that appears to read "This guy is dangerou". Below the text are the notations "tele", "answer in abs" and "Make copy for Dell."
See also:
Letter from Irene Martin for Langer to H. E. Gierke Regarding Situation at Forth Berthold, June 27, 1950
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Governor's Interstate Indian Council Newletter Regarding John B. Hart's Efforts to Arrange Off-Reservation Employment of North Dakota Tribal Members, September 28, 1950
Governors' Interstate Indian Council
This newsletter, dated September 28, 1950, published by the Governors' Interstate Indian Council includes, among other items, a piece on pages 3 and 4 on the efforts of John B. Hart, executive director of the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission, to arrange for off-reservation of North Dakota tribal members. The article begins with a description of Hart as a "young, good-looking and single Native North Dakotan" and goes on to describe Hart's education and proximity to the Turtle Mountain Reservation, and his resulting interest in the welfare of the North Dakota's tribal members. The article includes a quote from the Riverdale, North Dakota (headquarters for the Garrison Dam construction project) dateline news dispatch consisting of testimonials from employers who are using Native labor in various activities (welding, excavation, tunnel mining, construction).
See also:
Letter from John Hart to Senator Langer Regarding the Number of Indians Working at the Garrison Dam, August 8, 1950
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Letter from John B. Hart to Senator Langer Regarding the Indian Bureau’s Plans to Buy Land Outside of the Fort Berthold Reservation Boundary, April 14, 1950
John Hart
This letter dated April 14, 1950, from Executive Director of North Dakota Indian Affairs John B. Hart to United States (US) Senator William Langer quotes a telegram Hart sent to John Nichols, Commissioner of the US Bureau of Indian Affairs on March 27, 1950 asking whether the Bureau plans to purchase land outside of the Fort Berthold Reservation boundaries, and if so what the tax status of the land would be. Hart writes that he has not received an answer or a notice of receipt from Nichols, and asks Langer to “kick the Indian Bureau in the bottom sufficiently” to get this information.
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to John Nichols Inquiring Whether the Bureau of Indian Affairs Plans to Buy Land Outside of the Fort Berthold Reservation Boundary, April 18, 1950
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Letter from John Hart to Senator Langer Regarding Land Purchases Outside the Fort Berthold Reservation, May 23, 1950
John Hart
This letter dated May 23, 1950, from Executive Director of North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission John B. Hart to United States (US) Senator William Langer thanks Langer for the assistance he provided to Hart with the US Bureau of Indian Affairs regarding the proposed purchase of land outside exterior boundaries of the Fort Berthold Reservation. Hart rites that land purchases outside reservation boundaries is “a pretty hot subject” due to the way such purchases will alter property taxes and the difficulties facing future purchasers of reservation land.
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to John Hart Regarding the Purchase of Land Outside of the Fort Berthold Reservation, May 27, 1950
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Letter from John Hart to Senator Langer Regarding the Number of Indians Working at the Garrison Dam, August 8, 1950
John Hart
This letter dated August 8, 1950, from John Hart to United States Senator William Langer, conveys to Langer that "150 Indians" are presently working at the Garrison Dam. The letter refers to an enclosed clipping, which is not included in the letter.
The letter is marked with the handwritten annotations, “thank” and “Indians.”
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Letter from John Hart to Senator Langer Regarding a Speech Regarding the Rehabilitation of Indians, May 11, 1950
John B. Hart
This letter dated May 11, 1950, from John Hart to United States Senator William Langer, requests Langer's thoughts on a speech that Hart gave in Rapid City, South Dakota at the Mountain States Regional Meeting on May 5, 1950. A copy of the speech is also included with the letter. The speech addresses a number of things including "prejudice against the Indians," use of tax revenue, relocation of tribal members, and welfare.
See Also:
Letter from Senator Langer to John Hart Regarding a Speech Regarding the Rehabilitation of Indians, May 18, 1950
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Letter from M.A. Kirkeide to Senator Langer Regarding Lack of Food and Clothing on the Fort Berthold Reservation, January 30, 1950
M.A. Kirkeide
This letter dated January 30, 1950, from Mountrail Country Extension agent M.A. Kirkeide to United States (US) Senator William Langer alerts Langer to “the food and clothing situation of the Indians on the Fort Berthold Reservation.” Kirkeide writes that the Reverend P.C. Petersen has visited homes in Fort Berthold and “feels that unless the Indians are given more food some of them will starve to death this winter.” Kirkeide asks whether more of North Dakota’s surplus of potatoes can be shipped to the reservation and distributed there to relieve the situation. Kirkeide elaborates that Peterson understands that potatoes have been shipped to “Elbow Woods (sic), but the Indians living at Sanish and Shell Village, which is some distance away, had not received any.” Kirkeide concludes by saying this matter needs prompt attention.
See also:
Telegram from Senator Langer to M.A. Kirkeide Regarding Lack of Food and Clothing on the Fort Berthold Reservation, February 2, 1950
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Newsletter from the American Indian Fund Regarding the State of American Indian Affairs, September 5, 1950
Oliver La Farge
This newsletter dated September 5, 1950, from the American Indian Fund and the Association on American Indian Affairs gives an account of the current legal status of national legislation faced by indigenous peoples in the United States. Included in this newsletter is the topic entitled, “THE INDIAN BUREAU EXPERIMENTS WITH POCKET-VETO,” which outlines how the United States Indian Bureau’s “inaction is dooming the current Congress S 3303, a bill to bring some measure of of justice to the Ft. Berthold Indians, whose land will be inundated following the construction of the Garrison Dam.” The newsletter states S. 3303 would assure the Fort. Berthold residents valuable rights which they are being “needlessly and arbitrarily deprived.”
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Letter from Irene Martin for Senator Langer to Marie Deane Regarding Claims of Mismanagement of Funds, April 29, 1950
William Langer
This letter, dated April 29, 1950, from Irene Martin on behalf of United States (US) Senator Langer to Marie Deane of Elbowoods, North Dakota, acknowledges Deane's recent letter claiming mismanagement of funds by the Tribal Council of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation.
Martin, on behalf of Langer, explains that Langer's staff has "taken this matter up with the Department here and as soon as further information is available here it will be forwarded to you."
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to C. Girard Davidson Regarding Marie Deane's Claims of Mismanagement of Funds, April 29, 1950
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Letter from Irene Martin on Behalf of Senator Langer to Carl Whitman Regarding His Opposition to US H.R. 5372, June 22, 1950
William Langer
This letter dated June 22, 1950, from Secretary to United States (US) Senator William Langer Irene Martin on behalf of Langer to Carl Whitman, acknowledges Whitman’s correspondence about his opposition to US H.R. 5372. Martin assures Whitman that his views will be relayed to Langer on his return to Washington D.C.
This letter is marked with the handwritten annotation “Indians.”
See also:
Letter Senator Langer to Carl Whitman Thanking Him for His Correspondence, May 9, 1950
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Letter from Irene Martin on Behalf of Senator Langer to George Dixon Regarding Requested Information on Indians, May 1, 1950
William Langer
This letter dated May 1, 1950, from Irene Martin on behalf of United States Senator William Langer to George Dixon, marks the receipt of Dixon’s letter inquiring about information “on Indians.” Martin informs Dixon that Langer has asked the US Department of the Interior and the US Congressional Library for “any data they have available and this will be forwarded to you as soon as possible.” Dixon is employed by the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of North Dakota.
The letter includes the handwritten annotation “Indians.”
See also
Memo from William Langer to Library of Congress Regarding George Dixon’s Request for Information on Indians, May 1, 1950
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Letter from Irene Martin on Behalf of Senator Langer to Mrs. John Wilkerson Regarding Need for Assistance, June 16, 1950
William Langer
This letter dated June 16, 1950, from Secretary to United States Senator William Langer Irene Martin on behalf of William Langer to Mrs. John Wilkerson, thanks Wilkerson for her recent letter and acknowledges that Langer is “checking into your situation.”
The letter includes the handwritten annotations “Indians,” “CR - Fort Berthold Indian Reservation,” and “CR - Quinn, Reginald W.”
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Letter from Irene Martin on Behalf of Senator Langer to Reginald Quinn Regarding Mrs. John Wilkerson Who Needs Assistance for Her Family, June 16, 1950
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Letter from Irene Martin on Behalf of Senator Langer to Reginald Quinn Regarding Mrs. John Wilkerson Who Needs Assistance for Her Family, June 16, 1950
William Langer
This letter dated June 16, 1950, from Secretary to United States Senator William Langer Irene Martin on behalf of Langer to Reginald Quinn, marks the receipt of Quinn’s correspondence about Mrs. John Wilkerson. Martin acknowledges Quinn’s concern that “Mr. and Mrs. have been unable to obtain any loans with which to carry on their farming operations or to receive any relief.” The Wilkersons now need food. Martin asks Quinn to check into the situation to see what can be done.
See also:
Letter from Irene Martin on Behalf of Senator Langer to Mrs. John Wilkerson Regarding Need for Assistance, June 16, 1950
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Letter from Senator Langer to Carl Whitman Regarding the Ending of US H.R. 5372, August 3, 1950
William Langer
This letter dated August 3, 1950, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Carl Whitman, alerts Whitman that Langer has stopped the legislation of US H.R. 5372. Langer says he appreciates Whitman’s viewpoint and he will keep what Whitman says in mind.
The letter is marked with the handwritten annotation “Indians.”
See also:
Letter from Irene Martin on Behalf of Senator Langer to Carl Whitman Regarding His Opposition to US H.R. 5372, June 22, 1950
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Letter from Senator Langer to Carl Whitman Regarding the US Senate Judiciary Committee Hearings, May 9, 1950
William Langer
This letter dated May 9, 1950, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Carl Whitman, Jr., acknowledges Whitman's letter of April 29th and that Langer appreciates the letter. Langer mentions that he was just in Salt Lake City, Utah and Denver, Colorado for hearings by the US Senate Judiciary Committee.
There are some handwritten annotations on the letter, including "Cross, Martin" at the top.
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Letter from Senator Langer to Carl Whitman Thanking Him for His Correspondence, May 9, 1950
William Langer
This letter dated May 9, 1950, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Carl Whitman Jr., marks receipt of Whitman's letter from April 29, 1950. Langer mentions Whitman's letter was brought to his attention as soon as Langer returned from Salt Lake City and Denver to attend hearings conducted by the US Senate Judiciary Committee. Langer thanks Whitman for his correspondence and calls him thoughtful.
The letter is marked with the handwritten annotations, “Indians” and “CR - Cross, Martin.”
See also:
Letter from Irene Martin on Behalf of Senator Langer to Carl Whitman Regarding His Opposition to US H.R, 5372, June 22, 1950
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Letter from Senator Langer to Carlyle Onsrud Regarding Lack of Food and Clothing on the Fort Berthold Reservation, February 18, 1950
William Langer
This letter dated February 18, 1950, from United States Senator (US) William Langer to Carlyle D. Onsrud, Executive Director of the Public Welfare Board of North Dakota, includes an attached letter from Mountrail County Extension agent M.A. Kirkeide’s dated January 30, 1950, alerting Langer of a food and clothing shortage on the Fort Berthold Reservation. Langer's letter to Onsrud asks Onsrud to check into the matter and advise Langer “what can be done to help these Indians.” Langer's letter is marked with the handwritten annotations “Fort Berthold Indian Reservation” and “CR - N.D. Public Welf. Building.”
See also:
Letter from M.A. Kirkeide to Senator Langer Regarding Lack of Food and Clothing on the Fort Berthold Reservation, January 30, 1950
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Letter from Senator Langer to C. Girard Davidson Regarding Marie Deane's Claims of Mismanagement of Funds, April 29, 1950
William Langer
This letter, dated April 29, 1950, from United States (US) Senator Langer to Assistant Secretary of the US Department of the Interior C. Girard Davidson, refers to a letter Langer has received, which he is enclosing, from Marie Deane of Elbowoods, North Dakota, concerning claims of mismanagement of funds by the Tribal Council of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation.
Langer asks that Davidson reply at his earliest convenience, and that he return the enclosed letter with his reply. The letter Langer refers to as enclosed was not found with this letter in Langer's papers.
See also:
Letter from Irene Martin for Senator Langer to Marie Deane Regarding Claims of Mismanagement of Funds, April 29, 1950