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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Telegram from Senator Langer to Fred Lone Bear Stating Langer Will Help as Much as Possible, May 7, 1948
William Langer
This telegram dated May 7, 1948, from United States Senator William Langer to Chairperson Fred Lone Bear, responds to Lone Bear's telegram and says that Langer will do everything possible for Three Affiliated Tribes delegates Martin Cross and Floyd Montclair while they are in Washington, D.C.
A handwritten note on the letter says, "Indians."
See also:
Telegram from Fred Lone Bear to Senator Langer Requesting that Langer Help Delegates Martin Cross and Floyd Montclair, May 4, 1948
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Telegram from Senator Langer to George Gillette Regarding Unauthorized Tribal Representatives, January 17, 1948
William Langer
This telegram dated January 17, 1948, from United States Senator William Langer to George Gillette, responds to Gillette's letter from January 9, 1948 about unauthorized representatives from the Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold Reservation. In the telegram, Langer states that he will only support official delegates.
This telegram contains the handwritten note, "Indians."
See also:
Letter from George Gillette to Senator Langer Regarding Unauthorized Tribal Representatives, January 9, 1948
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Telegram from Senator Langer to Lillian Endom Regarding Settlement and Reclaimed Lands, May 24, 1948
William Langer
This telegram dated May 24, 1948, from United States Senator William Langer to Lillian Endom, confirms that Langer received her telegram. Langer is attending to the matters expressed in Endom's telegram regarding payment and land. This telegram contains handwriting that says "Garrison Indians."
See also:
Telegram from Lillian Endom to Senator Langer Regarding Settlement and Reclaimed Lands, May 23, 1948
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Telegram from Senator Langer to PW Lanier Regarding Fort Berthold Reservation Conditions, January 9, 1948
William Langer
This telegram dated January 9, 1948, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to attorney PW Lanier, responds to Lanier's previous telegram. Langer states that the US Senate and Indian Department have been disgraceful and that he has presented the matter.
There is a handwritten note at the top of the document that reads "Indians."
See also:
Telegram from PW Lanier to Senator Langer Regarding Fort Berthold Reservation Conditions, January 8, 1948
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Telegram from PW Lanier to Senator Langer Regarding Fort Berthold Reservation Conditions, January 8, 1948
PW Lanier
This telegram dated January 8, 1948, from attorney PW Lanier to United States (US) Senator William Langer, notes that due to a harsh winter, the natives on the Fort Berthold and Fort Totten Reservations are in need of US governmental aid.
See also:
Telegram from Senator Langer to PW Lanier Regarding Fort Berthold Reservation Conditions, January 9, 1948
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Telegram from Fred Lone Bear to Senator Langer Requesting that Langer Help Delegates Martin Cross and Floyd Montclair, May 4, 1948
Fred Lone Bear
This telegram dated May 4, 1948, from Chairperson Fred Lone Bear to United States Senator William Langer, speaks for the "allottees" in requesting that Langer help their delegates Martin Cross and Floyd Montclair in Washington, D.C.
See also:
Telegram from Senator Langer to Fred Lone Bear Stating Langer Will Help as Much as Possible, May 7, 1948
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Affidavits Regarding Martin Sandberger, 1948-1949
Carl Mothander, John Olsson, James I.A. Dickson, Kurt Mintzel, Eva Sandberger, Karl Sandberger, Hedwig Sandberger, and Gustav Adolph Scheel
These affidavits, dated variously from 1948 to 1949, attest to the innocence of convicted Nazi War Criminal and SS member Dr. Martin Sandberger, who was sentenced to death by hanging by the International Military Tribunal at the Nuremberg war crimes trial.
Based on related corresondence, most or all of these affidavits were likely sent to United States Senator William Langer by the Reverend T. W. Strieter of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Chicago. Also in the Langer Collection are several letters from Strieter to Langer in which Strieter refers to enclosed "affidavits" or "documents" that he says indicate either Sandberger's innocence or that Sandberger did not receive a fair trial. In most of those cases the referenced enclosed documents were not found with the letter that referenced them. The number of affidavits in this group does not match the number of documents referenced in any one letter, nor the total of all referenced documents, so it is not immediately clear which of these affidavits, if any, go with which letters in the Langer Collection.
See also:
Letter from Pastor T. W. Strieter to Senator Langer Regarding Martin Sandberger, March 19, 1949
Letter from Pastor T. W. Strieter to Senator Langer Regarding Martin Sandberger, April, 5, 1949
Letter from Pastor T. W. Strieter to Senator Langer Forwarding 11 Affidavits Regarding Martin Sandberger and Requesting Langer's reply, April 21, 1949
Letter from Pastor T. W. Strieter to Senator Langer Forwarding a 3rd Set of Documents Regarding Martin Sandberger, May 17, 1949
Letter from Pastor T. W. Strieter to Senator Langer Forwarding Affidavit from Martin Sandberger's Father, May 20, 1949
Letter from Pastor T. W. Strieter to Senator Langer Forwarding Additional Affidavits Regarding Martin Sandberger, May 24, 1949
Letter from Senator Langer to Lt. Gen. Clarence Huebner Conveying Affidavits Attesting to the Innocence of Martin Sandberger, May 25, 1949
US Senate Memorandum from Senator Langer to Pastor T. W. Strieter Regarding Martin Sandberger, June 1, 1949
Letter from Senator Langer to Lt. Gen. Clarence Huebner Conveying Additional Materials Attesting to the Innocence of Martin Sandberger, June 1, 1949
Letter from Senator Langer to T. W. Strieter Acknowledging Strieter's Recent Mailings and Thanking Him, June 1, 1949
Letter from Senator Langer to Lt. Gen. Clarence Huebner Conveying Additional Materials Attesting to the Innocence of Martin Sandberger, June 24, 1949
Letter from Pastor T. W. Strieter to Senator Langer Regarding Martin Sandberger, July 2, 1949
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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Memo to Senator Langer Indicating that Marin Cross Requests Langer's Presence at Meeting with the US Interior and Insular Affairs Subcommittee, May 10, 1948
Senator William Langer's Office
This memo dated May 10, likely from 1948, does not have an author and is addressed to United States (US) Senator William Langer. The memo informs Langer that Three Affiliated Tribes member Martin Cross was in that morning and would like Langer to attend a meeting with the US Interior and Insular Affairs Subcommittee later that day. There are some shorthand notes on the memo.
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Letter from Mary Sussex to Senator Langer Regarding the Effects of the Garrison Dam on Fort Berthold Residents, July 15, 1948
Mary Sussex
This letter, dated July 15, 1948, from Mary Sussex of Hope, North Dakota to United States (US) Senator William Langer expresses concern for the effect the construction of the Garrison Dam will have on the Fort Berthold Reservation. Sussex notes that that the dam construction will force members off their own land and urges Langer to use his role as a member of the US Congress to see that legislation is passed to give Fort Berthold members more adequate compensation.
The letter is marked with the handwritten notation, "S. J. Res. 209"
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to Mary Sussex Regarding the Effects of the Garrison Dam on Fort Berthold Residents, July 22, 1948
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Letter from Senator Langer to Theodore Baker Relaying Copy of Letter from Ben Reifel, March 10, 1948
Langer William
This letter dated March 10, 1948, from United States (US) Senator Langer to Theodore Baker refers to an enclosed copy of a letter Langer received from Fort Berthold Indian Agency Superintendent Ben Reifel regarding a matter that involves Baker.
The referenced enclosed letter was not found with this letter in the Langer papers.
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to Ben Reifel Regarding Theodore Baker, March 10, 1948
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Form Letter, Membership Application and Bylaws of the Legislative Council of The Indian Tribes and Bands of the United States of America, by US Representative Usher L. Burdick, May 28, 1947
Usher Burdick
This packet of documents, dated May 28, 1947, by United States (US) Representative Usher L. Burdick, consist of a form letter explaining the genesis of the Legislative Council of The Indian Tribes and Bands of the United States of America, an application for membership on the council, and a copy of the bylaws of the council.
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Questionnaire Regarding Creation of Contract to Receive Compensation in Return for Land Taken for the Garrison Dam Project, October 1947
Ralph Case
This questionnaire, which is estimated to have been written in early October, 1947, by the tribes' general counsel Ralph Case on behalf of a committee authorized by a resolution of the Tribal Council of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, "to ask and secure answers from all adults of the Forth Berthold Reservation to a set of questions which are stated below."
The questions cover things like the reader's awareness that the Garrison Dam will be built, what its effects will be, what the US Government is proposing as compensation, what the Tribes' response should be, and whether the Tribal Council and the tribes' attorney should be authorized to write a counteroffer in the form of a contract to be approved or disapproved by members by vote.
Other questions deal with whether the reader owns land in the taking area, the reader's preference for a monetary settlement or land to replace the tribal lands to be inundated, what accommodations should be made for landless tribal members, and how income from timber and lignite should be treated.
The questionnaire also gives information on provisions likely to be included in the proposed contract, including the construction of new homes, supplying of electricity and water for irrigation, oil and gas rights, the construction of new roads and operation of ferries to cross the reservoir, and a variety of other matters.
See also:
Outline of Contract, The United States of America with the Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold Reservation, September, 1947
Letter from Ralph H. Case to Senator Langer Regarding Questionnaire Regarding Creation of Contract to Receive Compensation in Return for Land Taken for the Garrison Dam Project, October 3, 1947
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Letter from Ralph Case to Senator Langer Regarding Appropriations for Tribal Council Expenses, October 7, 1947
Ralph H. Case
This letter dated October 7, 1947, from attorney Ralph H. Case to United States (US) Senator William Langer, answers Langer's inquiry on behalf of Three Affiliated Tribes member Martin Cross as to the source of the Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Council funds. Case informs Langer that the the funds did come out of the $400,000 held in the US Treasury for the Three Affiliated Tribes. Case further writes that US Senate Bill 1133 (S. 1133) was introduced at the request of Cross to authorize per capita distribution of the $400,000 which would have left the Tribal Council without any operating funds.
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to Ralph Case Regarding Inquiry Made by Martin Cross in September 11 Letter, October 1, 1947
Letter from C.E. Van Horne on Behalf of Senator Langer to Martin Cross Regarding the Source of Tribal Council Expense Funds, October 9, 1947
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Fort Berthold Dam Site v. The Garrison Dam Site Statement of Fact and Law, 1947
Ralph H. Case
Statement of Fact concerning the Fort Berthold Dam site v. the Garrison Dam site presented by The Indian People of Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota. The statement concerns Congress's authorization for the construction of five dams on the Missouri river across North Dakota and South Dakota. The statement headlines involve: impending losses, alternate offers of plans and dam locations, prohibition of money for the Garrison Dam construction according to section 6 of the act of May 2, 1946, War Department offer of lieu lands, losses sustained to North Dakota and to the United States, and a remedy. The War Departments decline of offer letter sent by J.A. Kava, Secretary of the Interior, is included. The statement is a gathering of facts and argument presented by Fort Berthold Reservation to the opposition of the Garrison Dam construction.
See also:
Fort Berthold Dam Site v. The Garrison Dam Site Statement of Fact and Law. Amended and Extended
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Fort Berthold Dam Site v. The Garrison Dam Site Statement of Fact and Law. Amended and Extended, 1947
Ralph H. Case
Statement of Fact concerning the Fort Berthold site v. The Garrison Dam site presented by the Indian People of Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota that has been extended and amended. Headers include: Impending losses of Indian lands, Impending Danger Garrison Dam Site of Opinions of Army and Other Engineers for the inadequacy of the site foundation, Discussion, The unnecessity of Garrison Dam, The Alternate Offer of the Fort Berthold Dam site, The prohibition from Congrees for use of money to construct the dam, The War Department offer of Lieu Lands, Interior Department Declination of War Department Offer, Losses Sustained by Construction of Garrison Dam, Losses to North Dakota, Losses to the United States, Losses to the Indians of Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota, and The Remedy.
See also:
Fort Berthold Dam Site v. The Garrison Dam Site Statement of Fact and Law.
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Letter from Ralph H. Case to Ben Reifel Regarding Questionnaire Regarding Creation of Contract to Receive Compensation in Return for Land Taken for the Garrison Dam Project, October 3, 1947
Ralph H. Case
This letter, dated October 3, 1947, from Ralph H. Case, general counsel for the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota, to Ben Reifel, Superintendent of the Fort Berthold Indian Agency, makes reference to a letter Case sent the previous day to Reifel. Case explains that since that letter was sent, he has met with United States (US) Senator William Langer for an hour about the questionnaire Case has been working on regarding tribal members' willingness to formulate a contract dictating the terms of their compensation for lands taken from them by the US government for the Garrison Dam and accompanying reservoir, and about the outline of the proposed contract. Case writes that Langer agrees to give the matter his full support.
Case goes on to explain that, in going over the questionnaire, Langer pointed out a section where the wording was potentially misleading, so Case therefore amended the questionnaire to address Langer's concern, and has enclosed with this letter the new paragraph to be amended to the questionnaire.
Case also references a voucher for reimbursement he has enclosed regarding payment to an engineer employed by the Three Affiliated Tribes, which he asks Reifel to present to the Tribal Council, along with a resolution of approval, at their next meeting on October 9, and then to mail the resolution and voucher to Case, so that he can present it to the Indian Office for payment.
The voucher for reimbursement Case mentions was not found with this letter in the Langer papers.
See also:
Questionnaire Regarding Creation of Contract to Receive Compensation in Return for Land Taken for the Garrison Dam Project, October 1947
Outline of Contract, The United States of America with the Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold Reservation, September, 1947
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Letter from Ralph H. Case to Senator Langer Regarding Questionnaire Regarding Creation of Contract to Receive Compensation in Return for Land Taken for the Garrison Dam Project, October 3, 1947
Ralph H. Case
This letter dated October 3, 1947, from Ralph H. Case, general counsel for the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation to United States (US) Senator William Langer, Case makes reference to a new draft he is enclosing of a questionnaire he has revised by adding an amendment suggested by Langer and thanks Langer for his careful study of the questionnaire, his "very valuable suggestion, and his "words of commendation," adding that "it is indeed a difficult task to explain all things to all men."
The enclosed questionnaire covers cover such things as the reader's awareness that the Garrison Dam will be built, what its effects will be, what the US Government is proposing as compensation, what the Tribes' response should be, and whether the Tribal Council and the tribes' attorney should be authorized to write a counteroffer in the form of a contract to be approved or disapproved by members by vote.
Other questions deal with whether the reader owns land in the taking area, the reader's preference for a monetary settlement or land to replace the tribal lands to be inundated, what accommodations should be made for landless tribal members, and how income from timber and lignite should be treated.
The questionnaire also gives information on provisions likely to be included in the proposed contract, including the construction of new homes, supplying of electricity and water for irrigation, oil and gas rights, the construction of new roads and operation of ferries to cross the reservoir, and a variety of other matters.
See also:
Questionnaire Regarding Creation of Contract to Receive Compensation in Return for Land Taken for the Garrison Dam Project, October 1947
Outline of Contract, The United States of America with the Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold Reservation, September, 1947
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Outline of Contract, The United States of America with the Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold Reservation, September, 1947
Ralph H. Case
This document, undated but determined to have been prepared in September, 1947, by Ralph H. Case, General Counsel for the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota, outlines the provisions of a contract between the United States of America and the Three Affiliated Tribes by which the Tribes would exchange title for a section of the Fort Berthold Reservation in exchange for $5,105,625 in order to make way for a dam and reservoir on the Missouri River.
The provisions include definitions of terms and physical boundaries of the taking area, mechanisms for reappraisal, details regarding where funds will reside and rate of interest, settlement of estates, disbursement of shares, period of occupation before inundation, rights to salvage, relocation and housing of residents, rights to timber, lignite, sand, gravel, and future subsurface discoveries, disinterment and re-interment of ancestors, use of shorelands, hunting and fishing rights, operation of harbors, supplying of electrical light and power, irrigation, agency structures including schools hospitals, roads, bridges and ferries, operation of the dam and reservoir, and rules regarding ratification, post-ratification acceptance and re-ratification, if necessary, of the contract, and the transferring of title.
While this document is not dated, based on references in related documents it has been determined to have been prepared in September of 1947.
See also:
Letter from Ralph H. Case to Senator Langer Regarding Questionnaire Regarding Creation of Contract to Receive Compensation in Return for Land Taken for the Garrison Dam Project, October 3, 1947
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
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Letter from M. Ferne Chilson to Senator Langer Urging Restudy of Garrison Dam Location, May 1, 1947
M. Ferne Chilson
In this letter dated May 1, 1947, M. Ferne (Mrs. C. J.) Chilson, of Deering, North Dakota, urges United States Senator William Langer to use his influence to have the Garrison Dam Project "opened for restudy" and to then try to get the site of the dam "located where the Indians wish instead of instead of forcing them out of their homes once more and breaking a treaty with them."
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to M. Ferne Chilson Regarding Garrison Dam Project, May 13, 1947
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Letter from Anna Corbin to Senator Langer Opposing the Garrison Dam Project, May 9, 1947
Anna Corbin
This handwritten letter, dated May 9, 1947, from Anna (Mrs. George) Corbin to United States Senator William Langer, expresses Corbin's opposition to the Garrison Dam for several reasons, including the waste of the cottonwood timber in the bottomlands, and her belief that the dam will not benefit anyone in North Dakota.
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to Anna Corbin Regarding Garrison Dam Project, May 29, 1947
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Letter from Martin Cross to James Archdale Regarding Conflicts Within The Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Council, February 25, 1947
Martin Cross
This handwritten letter dated February 25, 1947, from Three Affiliated Tribes member Martin Cross sent confidential care of United States (US) Senator William Langer to James Archdale, expresses confidence in Archdale who has been selected as a Fort Berthold delegate to address the Garrison Dam problem. Cross discusses some conflicts that he's had with the current tribal council.
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Letter from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Asking for the Source of Tribal Council Expense Funds, September 11, 1947
Martin Cross
This handwritten letter dated September 11, 1947, from Three Affiliated Tribes member Martin Cross to United States (US) Senator William Langer, inquires as to the source of funds for the Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Council expenditures. Cross indicates that attorney Ralph H. Case secured $38,000 for for Tribal Council expenses, and Cross wants to know if that money came out of the $400,000 held in the US Treasury for the Three Affiliated Tribes.
See Also:
Letter from C. E. Van Horne on Behalf of Senator Langer to Martin Cross Regarding Cross' September 11 Letter, September 16, 1947
Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Regarding Appropriations for Tribal Council Expenses, October 1, 1947
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Letter from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Commenting on Per Capita Payments, March 20, 1947
Martin Cross
This handwritten letter dated March 20, 1947, from Three Affiliated Tribes member Martin Cross to United States (US) Senator William Langer, comments on the per capita payments proposed in conjunction with the Garrison Dam. Cross further comments on additional appropriations for attorney fees and Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Council expenses. Cross indicates that there's a disconnect between wants of tribal members and the Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Council. Letters from G. J. Mahowald and Fred Wheeler are enclosed with this document.
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Regarding Per Capita Payments, April 8, 1947
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Letter from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Regarding American Legion Resolution, April 3, 1947
Martin Cross
This handwritten letter dated April 3, 1947, from Three Affiliated Tribes member Martin Cross to United States Senator William Langer, encloses a resolution adopted by Cross's American Legion Post in response to the Garrison Post who support the Garrison Dam's construction.
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Regarding American Legion Resolution, April 8, 1947
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Letter from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Regarding Garrison Dam Amendment, August 25, 1947
Martin Cross
This handwritten letter dated August 25, 1947, from Three Affiliated Tribes member Martin Cross to United States (US) Senator William Langer, asks Langer to confirm that the Fort Berthold delegation along with the Three Affiliated Tribes attorney Ralph H. Case agreed to the Garrison Dam amendment. He also asks to confirm the amount of money that was attached to the agreement.
A handwritten note on the letter says, "clear."