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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Letter from Senator Langer to Floyd Montclair Regarding Abusive Language, May 26, 1949
William Langer
This letter dated May 26, 1949, from United States Senator William Langer to Floyd Montclair, is in response to Montclair’s charge of abusive language from Superintendent Quin. Langer has received a statement from the Committee of Interior and Insular Affairs regarding Montclair’s charge and enclosed that statement, written by Chief Clerk Mills Astin, which expresses that, “it is a problem of administration and not under the legislative purview of this Committee.” The letter includes the handwritten note, “Indians.”
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Letter from Senator Langer to Floyd Montclair Regarding Per Capita Payments, August 23, 1946
William Langer
This letter dated August 23, 1946, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Floyd Montclair, marks Langer’s receipt of Montclair’s letter from August 19, 1946. Langer clarifies that the “$400,00 awarded to your tribe in full settlement of all claims of the Indians of the Fort Berthold Reservation” are now on deposit in the US Treasury. Langer points out that any further distribution of money requires an act of legislation, including a per capita distribution.
The letter includes the handwritten note, “Indians.”
See also:
Letter from Floyd Montclair to Senator Langer Regarding Per Capita Payments, August 19, 1946.
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Letter from Senator Langer to Floyd Montlcair Regarding Per Capita Payments to the Fort Berthold Indians, September 11, 1946
William Langer
This letter dated September 11, 1946, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Floyd Montclair of the National American Indian Association, marks the receipt of Montclair’s letter from August 27, 1946. Langer calls Montclair’s attention to the distribution of “the four hundred thousand dollars awarded to the Fort Berthold Indians” by citing the Interior Appropriation Bill (US Public Law 478) along with the provision of HR 1095 (US Public Law 467), along with how this money will be distributed through the US Treasury. Langer says there “is no provision by law” that would distribute this money per capita, although he will be “glad to introduce a bill” that distributes the sum per capita. Langer mentions three enclosures, US Public Laws 467, 478, and 143; only US Public Law 467 is included.
See also:
Letter from Floyd Montclair to Senator Langer and William Brophy Regarding Per Capita Payments to Fort Berthold Indians, August 27, 1946
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Letter from Senator Langer to Jim Thornburg Thanking him for Putting in a Good Word for Him, May 22, 1946
William Langer
This letter dated May 22, 1946 from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Jim Thornburg thanks Thornburg for putting in a good word for Langer to Martin Cross, Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairman.
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Updating on Various Business, May 22, 1946
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Letter from Senator Langer to John Hamilton Acknowledging Letter of January 26, January 30, 1946
William Langer
This letter dated January 30, 1946, from United States Senator William Langer to John E. Hamilton, the President of the National American Indian Defense Association, Inc., acknowledges Hamilton's letter and expresses regret that Hamilton is not in good health.
A handwritten note on the document says, "Indians."
See also:
Letter from John Hamilton to Senator Langer Regarding Contract Between the Three Affiliated Tribes and Attorney Ralph Case, January 26,1946
Letter from John Hamilton to Senator Langer Regarding Martin Cross and the Three Affiliated Tribes' Support for Langer in Next Election, February 2, 1946
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Letter from Senator Langer to John Hamilton Acknowledging Letter of May 29 and Will Reply Soon, June 7, 1946
William Langer
This letter dated May 29, 1946, from United States Senator William Langer to John Hamilton, President of the American Indian Defense Association Inc., acknowledges Hamilton's May 29th letter and states that Langer will reply around July 1st when he returns to Washington, D.C. from North Dakota.
See also:
Letter from John Hamilton to Senator Langer Regarding Navajo Tribe, Letters from Martin Cross, and US House Resolution 4386, May 29, 1946
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Letter from Senator Langer to John Hamilton Regarding Garrison Dam, August 3, 1946
William Langer
This letter dated August 3, 1946 from United States Senator William Langer to John Hamilton, President of the National American Indian Defense Association Inc., indicates that there is no news on the Garrison Dam project.
A handwritten note on the letter says, "Indians."
See also:
Letter from John Hamilton to Senator Langer Regarding Garrison Dam and Floyd Montclair Correspondences, July 29, 1946
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Letter from Senator Langer to John Hamilton Regarding the Conditions of the Navajo Tribe, April 29, 1946
William Langer
This letter dated April 29, 1946, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to John E. Hamilton, President of the National American Indian Defense Association Inc., acknowledges Hamilton's April 10th letter and indicates that Langer has been trying to connect with US Senator from Wyoming Joseph O'Mahoney regarding the Navajo Tribe.
A handwritten note on the letter says, "Indians."
See also:
Letter from John Hamilton to Senator Langer Regarding the Conditions of the Navajo Tribe and Letters from Floyd Montclair and Gaining Support for Upcoming Election, April 10, 1946
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Letter from Senator Langer to Marin Cross Regarding a Report from the Office of Indian Affairs, June 6, 1946
William Langer
This letter dated June 6, 1946, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross, encloses a report received from the US Office of Indian Affairs in response to a matter pertaining to Cross. The report concerns an affidavit from Cross regarding a nurse at the Agency Hospital at Elbowoods, North Dakota. In the report, Field Representative D'Arcy McNickle indicates that he referred the matter to Dr. Snavely and that he will write back when he has additional information.
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Updating on Various Business, May 22, 1946
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Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Acknowledging Recent Note from Cross, February 14, 1946
William Langer
This letter dated February 14, 1946, from United States Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross, thanks Cross for his recent letter and indicates that Langer is glad that the tribes appreciate the help Langer has offered in "their matter."
A handwritten note on the letter says, "See Garrison Dam" which is likely the matter Langer references in this letter.
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Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Updating on Various Business, May 22, 1946
William Langer
This letter dated May 22, 1946, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross, covers various topics. Langer says that he mailed some pictures to Cross in a separate letter. Langer apologizes about Mr. Beauchamp and Mr. Levings (likely referring to Peter Beauchamp and Martin Levings who both served on the Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Council). Langer says he is glad that Cross saw Jim Thornburg. Langer says that he is writing to Mr. D'Arcy McNickle of the US Bureau of Indian Affairs about an affidavit.
See Also:
Letter from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Regarding Political Support and Opponents and Agency Hospital Affidavit, April 4, 1946
Letter from Senator Langer to D'Arcy McNickle on Behalf of Martin Cross Regarding Agency Hospital Affidavit, May 22, 1946
Letter from Senator Langer to Jim Thornburg Thanking him for Putting in a Good Word for Him, May 22, 1946
Letter from Senator Langer to Marin Cross Regarding a Report from the Office of Indian Affairs, June 6, 1946
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Letter from Senator Langer to Ralph Hoyt Case Regarding Possibly Speaking to Tribal Members, May 2, 1946
William Langer
This letter dated May 2, 1946, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Ralph Hoyt Case, Attorney for the Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold, North Dakota (ND), acknowledges receipt of Case's letter "of the 30th" and says he will be ND on May 30th, and would be "glad to meet" with tribal members on the 31st.
See also:
Letter from Ralph Hoyt Case to Senator Langer Regarding the Tribal Business Council, April 30, 1946
Letter from Ralph Hoyt Case to Senator Langer Regarding the Tribal Business Council, May 10, 1946
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Letter from Senator Langer to Richard Auras Regarding Interment Status Decision, March 11, 1946
William Langer
In this letter, dated March 11, 1946, from United States Senator William Langer to interned German National Richard Auras, Langer writes that he has reviewed Auras's case with the U.S. Attorney General, and that because of Auras's involvement with the Deutsch-Amerikanische Berufsgemeinschaft (DAB) in San Francisco, and other activities, he must be repatriated to Germany according to standards set by the Attorney General. Langer vows to "persist" in his efforts to have the Attorney General reverse the decision, but does not feel he will do so.
Auras was arrested on December 8, 1941 by the US government under the Alien Enemy Act of 1798 and interned at Fort Lincoln, south of Bismarck, ND.
See also:
Petition and Affidavit By Curt Benedict for Release of Richard Auras from Internment, August 1946
Letter from Richard Auras to William Langer Regarding Internment Status Decision, January 27, 1946
Letter from Richard Auras to Senator Langer Thanking Langer for His Help and Correcting Factual Errors, April 2, 1946
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Letter from Senator Langer to Unspecified Recipient Regarding Garrison Dam, May 21, 1946
William Langer
This letter dated May 21, 1946, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to an unspecified recipient, makes reference to his long friendship with the tribes of North Dakota as the reason for him making a speech on the floor of the US Senate--the text of which he mentions is enclosed with this letter. (However, no enclosure was present with this letter when it was found in the Langer Papers).
Langer describes the message of the speech "as long as I was in the Senate they would never get this land unless they either paid for it or changed it for land that was satisfactory to the Indians."
Langer pledges his protection should the recipient "have any trouble about this land in connection to the Garrison Dam" and urges the recipient to write him about it.
This letter contains several handwritten notes, including "Indians," "Indian Speech," and others.
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Letter from Senator Langer to Ward F. Boyd Regarding Garrison Dam, December 5, 1946
William Langer
This letter dated December 5, 1946, from United States Senator William Langer to Pastor Ward F. Boyd of the First Presbyterian Church of Fargo, North Dakota (ND), Langer replies to Boyd's letter from November 26, 1946 where Boyd laments the proposed eviction of members of the Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berhold, ND and asks whether it is too late to move the site of the dam nearer to Sanish, ND.
In his reply, Langer thanks Boyd for his letter. Langer suggests that Boyd would be interested to know that Langer has taken this matter up himself and gave a speech on the floor of the Senate in June of 1945 on the very same matter, and he has secured hearings for the tribes, met with them, and will do everything he can to assist in the matter.
See also:
Letter from Ward F. Boyd to Senator Langer Regarding Garrison Dam, November 26, 1946
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Telegram from Senator Langer to Carl Sylvester Regarding Garrison Dam, December 9, 1946
William Langer
This telegram dated December 9, 1946, from United States Senator William Langer to Carl Sylvester of Elbowoods, North Dakota, replies to a November 30, 1946 letter in which Sylvester had urged Langer to oppose the Garrison Dam project. In this telegram, Langer assures Sylvester that "nothing will be left undone that I can do to protect their [i.e. the tribe's'] interests."
See also:
Letter from Carl Sylvester to Senator Langer Regarding Garrison Dam, November 30, 1946
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Telegram from Senator Langer to Colonel WW Wannamaker Regarding Relocation, December 6, 1946
William Langer
This telegram dated December 6, 1946, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to US Colonel of the Army Corps of Engineers WW Wannamaker, asks Wannamaker to wire him regarding a statement on the relocation of members of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation to Oliver County as a result of the Garrison Dam.
This telegram contains the handwritten words "Indians" and "Oliver."
See also:
Letter from Colonel WW Wannamaker to Senator Langer Regarding Lieu Lands Related to the Garrison Dam, December 4, 1946
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Telegram from Senator Langer to Elbowoods "Indian Agent" Regarding Land Trade, December 6, 1946
William Langer
This telegram dated December 6, 1946, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Elbowoods "Indian Agent," Langer states that he has heard the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation have agreed to trade land on the reservation with the US Government for land in Oliver County. Langer asks for any details, including the satisfaction of both sides and any future hearings.
The telegram has a handwritten note at the top that reads "Indians."
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Telegram from Senator Langer to Floyd Montclair or Charles Berger Regarding Land Trade, December 6, 1946
William Langer
This telegram dated December 6, 1946, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Floyd Montclair or Charles Berger, states that either recipient should wire Langer regarding the status of the land trade between the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation and the US Government.
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Telegram from Senator Langer to Hensler Helpful Club Regarding Garrison Dam, December 12, 1946
William Langer
This telegram dated December 12, 1946, from United States (US) Senator Langer to Hensler Helpful Club, responds to their telegram from that same day. In the telegram, Langer states that as member of the Public Lands Committee he is giving the matter of relocation of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fert Berthold Reservation as a result of the Garrison Dam his careful consideration.
See also:
Telegram from Hensler Helpful Club to Senator Langer Regarding Garrison Dam, December 12, 1946
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Telegram from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Indicating Meeting with Senator O'Mahoney, February 18, 1946
William Langer
This telegram dated February 18, 1946, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross, states that Langer will be in North Dakoka on February 24th meeting with US Senator [Joseph] O'Mahoney in order to give Cross the opportunity to protest. Langer is likely referencing Cross's desire to speak about the Garrison Dam.
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Letter from Floyd Montclair to Senator Langer and William Brophy Regarding Per Capita Payments to Fort Berthold Indians, August 27, 1946
Floyd Montclair
This letter dated August 27, 1946, from Floyd Montclair of the National American Indian Association to United States (US) Senator William Langer and US Commissioner of Indian Affairs William Brophy, draws attention to Langer and Brophy to the “per capita payment to each individual Indian entitled thereto,” as called forth by the US Congress and introduced by US Congressperson Usher Burdick. The payment is a $400,000 award. Montclair proposes this money could be drawn from the US Treasury or the First National Bank for remittance to the Fort Berthold Indians along with how a Tribal Council represents the will of the registered districts for payment.
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to Floyd Montclair Regarding Per Capita Payments to the Fort Berthold Indians, September 11, 1946
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Letter from Floyd Montclair to Senator Langer Regarding Per Capita Payments, August 19, 1946
Floyd Montclair
This handwritten letter dated August 19, 1946, from Floyd Montclair to United States (US) Senator William Langer, is written on the letterhead of the National American Indian Defense Association, Inc., which lists Montclair as "second vice president." Montclair writes that “the majority of Fort Berthold Indians want immediate per capita payment of the $400,000 claim now placed to their credit."
A note stapled to Montclair's letter, dated August 23, 1946, on US Senate letterhead, addressed to "Mr. Grorud, Clerk Committee on Indian Affairs" and signed by Langer, asks Grorud to prepare a reply for Langer’s signature.
The letter includes a handwritten note of “Indians.”
See also:
Letter from Floyd Montclair to Senator Langer and William Brophy Regarding Per Capita Payments to Fort Berthold Indians, August 27, 1946
An Act for the Relief of the Indians of the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota
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Letter from Myrtle E. Russell to Senator Langer Regarding Garrison Dam, December 12 1946
Russell E. Myrtle
This letter dated December 12, 1946 from Myrtle E. Russell to United States Senator William Langer protests the taking of lands where she and her family live to be offered as lieu lands for the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation whose lands were to be flooded by the construction of the Garrison Dam. Russell appeals to Langer, describing her family's history on the land from 1903 to the present. Russell does not find the compensation offered by the government for their land to be adequate. The letter has a handwritten note at the top.
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Letter from Senator Langer's Office to Martin Cross Acknowledging June 12 Letter, June 19, 1946
Office of Senator William Langer
This letter dated June 12, 1946, from the office of United States Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross, acknowledges Cross's June 12th letter and says that when Langer returns, Cross's letter will be brought to Langer's attention.
A handwritten note on the letter says, "Indian."
See also:
Letter from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Regarding a Resolution Passed by Three Affiliated Tribes Business Council, June 12, 1946