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 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."
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Letter from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Regarding Garrison Dam, January 31, 1947
Martin Cross
This handwritten letter dated January 31, 1947, from Three Affiliated Tribes member Martin Cross to United States Senator William Langer, informs Langer that the Gros Ventre (Hidatsa) people plan to send delegates to Washington D.C. regarding the Garrison Dam. Cross indicates that the Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Council will not send him to Washington as a delegate although he has support from the tribes and that Floyd Montclair was refused by the tribes' attorney Ralph Case. Cross reports on a riff with the tribal council and asks Langer for information regarding the Garrison Dam.
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Regarding Garrison Dam, February 7, 1947
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Letter from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Regarding the Establishment of the Claims Legislative Council, July 10, 1947
Martin Cross
This handwritten letter dated July 10, 1947, from Three Affiliated Tribes member Martin Cross to United States Senator William Langer, informs Langer of the establishment of a Claims Legislative Council for the Fort Berthold Reservation. Memorial and establishing articles of the Claims Legislative Council are enclosed with this letter.
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Regarding the Proposed Establishment of a Claim Legislative Council, August 5, 1947
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Letter from F. L. Etherington to Senator Langer Regarding Garrison Dam, March 15, 1947
F. L. Etheringson
In this letter dated March 15, 1947, from F. L Etherington to United States (US) Senator William Langer, Etherington poses a number of questions about the Garrison Dam project and makes his own recommendation that the tribes not be displaced, and that rather than purchasing the land from them, the US Government should rent the land from them.
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Memorandum from Fort Berthold Indian Corporation Tribal Business Council to Senator Langer Regarding $400,000 Appropriation, Undated
Fort Berthold Indian Corporation Tribal Business Council
This memorandum, undated and unsigned, on the Fort Berthold Indian Corporation Tribal Business Council letterhead and addressed to United States (US) Senator William Langer, makes reference to an appropriation of $400,000 included in the Interior Department Appropriation Act of 1947 for the Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold, North Dakota, and requests that an amendment be made to the pending bill to authorize the expenditure of $300,000 of the appropriation by the Tribes.
Attached to the resolution (visible in the first page of the PDF scan of the document) is a note saying, "This is the amendment Mr. Case was interested in" (likely referring to Ralph Hoyt Case, legal council for the Three Affiliated Tribes).
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Letter from WF Gierke to Senator Langer Regarding Fort Berthold Reservation, December 22, 1947
WF Gierke
This letter dated December 22, 1947, from WF Gierke to United Stated Senator William Langer, Gierke states that he is a rancher who has been around the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation for thirty years. He goes on to say that the Reservation is in poorer condition than when he first encountered them. He explains his belief that the tribal members are capable but must be taught the ways of market economies and the Reservation should be run like a giant ranch.
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to WF Gierke Regarding Fort Berthold Reservation, January 6, 1948
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Letter from George Gillette to Senator Langer Requesting Langer to Ignore Eli Perkins Concerning Tribal Affairs, March 20, 1947
George Gillettte
This letter dated March 20, 1947, from the Tribal Business Council Chairperson George Gillette to United States Senator William Langer, requests that Langer ignore Eli Perkins's concerns regarding tribal matters. Gillette writes to Langer, “it has come to my attention that you have been corresponding with Mr. Eli Perkins concerning the abolishment of the Indian Bureau.” Gillette affirms that he is in a better position to convey anything “concerning the general sentiment of the Indians of this Reservation.”
This letter contains some handwriting and Gillette's signature.
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Letter from James Hall to Senator Langer Regarding FHA Interest, January 24, 1947
James Hall
This letter dated January 24, 1947, from James Hall to United States Senator William Langer, is a response to a January 4, 1947 letter from Langer. The letter includes a request for the cancellation of interest owed to the Farm Security Administration by members of the Three Affiliated Tribes affected by the Garrison Dam project.
See Also:
Letter from Senator Langer to James Hall Regarding FHA Interest, January 27, 1947
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Letter from Frank O. Homme to Senator Langer Regarding Lieu Lands, January 9, 1947
Frank O. Homme
This letter dated January 9 1947, from Frank O. Homme of Minot, North Dakota (ND) to United States (US) Senator William Langer, expresses Homme's opinion that the proposed lieu lands below Garrison do not represent a good deal for the members of the Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold, ND. Homme offers his opinions regarding possible ways to compensate the tribes for the land they are losing due to the Garrison Dam project, and his observations and speculations on what is important to different generations of tribal members. Homme explains that he has been involved in large scale farming on reservation land and living there since 1915, and does not want any publicity regarding his letter and suggestions. Homme closes his letter urging Langer to "Do the best you can for them....."
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to Frank O. Homme Regarding Lieu Lands, January 16, 1947
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Address from Senator Langer to a Town Meeting Regarding Giving American Indians A Square Deal, August 21, 1947
William Langer
This written address dated August 21, 1947, from United States Senator William Langer to the town meeting of the Air Program in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on the subject of “Are We Giving Our American Indians a Square Deal” is a twelve point, two page address where Langer expresses the American Indian has “been pushed around for many years” and is “getting no square deal from his Government in granting him rights as a citizen and not as a ward of the nation.” The address is marked with the handwritten annotation “Indians.”
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Letter from Harris Grotte to Senator Langer Regarding Fence Cutting, August 26, 1947
William Langer
This letter dated August 26, 1947, from United States Senator William Langer to Harris Grotte, reports that he has received a reply from the superintendent of the Fort Berthold Agency in Elbowoods, North Dakota to his inquiry on Grotte's behalf regarding fence cutting. Langer quotes a section of the reply. The gist of which is that apparently "both Indians and white operators" have occasionally been involved in fence cutting, and those experiencing property damage must identify the "wire cutters" and file charges against them in court. The superintendent goes on to offer further help if desired.
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Letter from Irene Martin on Behalf of Senator Langer to R.D. Kollman Regarding Discrimination in Employmenton at the Garrison Dam Project, May 25, 1950
William Langer
This letter dated May 25, 1947, from Irene Martin, Secretary to United States (US) Senator William Langer, to R.D. Kollman, acknowledges Kollman’s correspondence about “what you call discrimination” in employment at the Garrison Dam project. Martin writes that Langer has taken the matter to General Pick of the US Army Engineers. Martin says she has enclosed a copy of a speech that Langer gave on Brannan Plan, which “will help explain this program." However, the enclosure was not found with the letter.
The handwritten annotation of “Garrison Dam” marks the top of the letter.
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to General Lewis Pick Regarding Discrimination at the Garrison Dam Project, May 25, 1950
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Letter from Senator Langer to A.F. McMaster Regarding Lieu Lands Questions, April 9, 1947
William Langer
This letter dated April 9, 1947, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to A.F. McMaster, addresses the requested information regarding lieu lands. Langer follows up by informing McMaster that their request will be forwarded to the US Department of Agriculture and sent once received. This letter contains handwritten initials.
See also:
Letter from A.F. McMaster to Senator Langer Regarding Lieu Lands Questions, April 3, 1947
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Letter from Senator Langer to Anna Corbin Regarding Garrison Dam Project, May 29, 1947
William Langer
This letter dated May 29, 1947, from United States Senator William Langer to Anna (Mrs. George) Corbin, Langer replies to Corbin's letter of May 9, 1947, in which Corbin expresses her opposition to the Garrison Dam Project and argues that no one in North Dakota (ND) will benefit from the project.
In his reply, Langer argues that ND will indeed enjoy benefits from the dam, including cheap power, irrigation and flood control. He cites as examples the Boulder and Grand Coulee dams, which he argues no one would now say shouldn't have been build, even though there were dislocations and inconveniences related to their construction.
See also:
Letter from Anna Corbin to Senator Langer Opposing the Garrison Dam Project, May 9, 1947
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Letter from Senator Langer to Ben Reifel Regarding Trouble with Stray Horses, August 6, 1947
William Langer
This letter dated August 6, 1947, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Acting Superintendent of the Fort Berthold Agency Ben Reifel brings to Reifel’s attention Harris Grotte’s letter of August 5, 1947, regarding stray horses grazing on Grotte’s land. Grotte believes that someone is deliberately cutting his fences allowing stray tribal horses to get into his fields.
Langer asks Reifel for further information in regard to this matter, and for any steps that can be taken to protect Grotte’s fields. Grotte's letter, which Langer refers to as being enclosed, was not found with this letter in Langer's papers.
See also: Letter from Senator Langer to Harris Grotte Regarding Trouble with Stray Horses, August 5, 1947
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Letter from Senator Langer to Earl W. Bateman Regarding Status of Garrison Dam Project, May 13, 1947
William Langer
This letter, dated May 13, 1947, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Earl W. Bateman of Elbowoods on the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota, acknowledges and thanks Bateman for his recent letter requesting information on the current status of the Garrison Dam project. Langer explains that he is doing everything he can to get additional appropriations for the construction of the dam, and that the bill providing the funds is expected to report out of the US House Committee on Appropriation shortly. Langer expresses his hope that the project can proceed without interruption, warning that there is a move afoot in the US Congress to reduce funding for public works projects.
Langer adds that he has caused an investigation to be made of the US Bureau of Indian Affairs, and that he wants to see the Bureau abolished and will in fact introduce legislation to do so in the next few days, in hopes of safeguarding Native rights and removing Indians from "under the yoke of the Indian Bureau."