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.
-
"Fort Berthold Indians of North Dakota," Pamphlet by Floyd Montclair, June 16, 1945
Floyd Montclair
This 28-page pamphlet, dated June 16, 1945, written by Three Affiliated Tribes Floyd Montclair, includes an introduction laying out four “fundamental facts” regarding the bad faith and lack of principle shown by the United States government in its dealings with Native peoples, especially in projects such as the Garrison Dam. Also includedf are several resolutions personal statements denouncing the Garrison Dam project, including statements from Montclair, Thomas S. Wolf, James Thornberg, and US Representative Usher Burdick. The pamphlet includes two poems, one authored by Langston Hughes and one authored by Myrtle K. Cherryman, and concludes with a 1941 petition signed by over 250 enrolled members of the Fort Berthold Americans Incorporated urging the United States Congress to pass the Tribes' $400,000 claim.
The pamphlet is marked on its cover with the handwritten annotation, “To U.S. Senator William A. Langer with compliments - Martin Cross.”
-
Letter from Floyd Montclair to John Hamilton Regarding the Endorsement of a Bill for Citizenship, August 30, 1945
Floyd Montclair
This letter dated August 30, 1945, from Floyd Montclair to John E. Hamilton, informs Hamilton that Montclair has received his correspondence and Hamilton should expect to receive the names of 101 tribal members who endorse Hamilton’s bill “for proposed citizenship for Indians which I am hoping will be harmonious.” The letter states that Montclair has mailed Hamilton a booklet that reveals “the full text of why we are opposed to the Garrison Dam.” The letter informs Hamilton that a delegation “from this place” will attend a session of the United States Congress in early September and Montclair would like Hamilton to attend the session with Montclair’s delegation. The letter concludes by stating Montclair is one of the four official delegates to oppose the Garrison Dam. This letter is marked with the typed annotation “A COPY OF THE ORIGINAL LETTER” and the handwritten annotation “Indians.”
See also:
Letter from John Hamilton to Senator Langer Regarding the Petition for the American Indian Emancipation Act, September 21, 1945
-
Letter from John Rasmussen "To Whom It May Concern" Regarding Richard Auras's Character, August 12, 1945
John Rasmussen
In this letter, dated August 12, 1945, from John Rasmussen, special investigator for Richmond, CA Shipyard Number Two, addressed "To Whom It May Concern," Rasmussen refers to German national Richard Auras, who is now interned as an alien enemy at Fort Lincoln, near Bismarck, ND. Rasmussen writes that he knows Richard Auras and has not known him to voice any opinion that would suggest he is an enemy alien. Rasmussen gives his opinion that in fact Auras "if given the opportunity, would make a loyal American citizen."
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 William Rehker to Assistant Attorney General Herbert Wechsler Regarding Richard Auras, August 10, 1945
W. Rehker
In this letter, dated August 10, 1945, from R. Rehker, secretary of San Francisco's Eureka Lodge, to U.S. Assistant Attorney General Herbert Wechsler, Rehker writes that Richard Auras joined Eureka Lodge No. 6 on October 14, 1937, after the lodge had investigated his character and found him to be "upright and honest," adding his belief that Auras would be a "loyal and faithful" citizen of the United States.
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
-
Resolution from Watford City Association of Commerce Regarding Garrison Dam Pool Level, Undated
Leland M. Stenehjem and Erven W. Day
This resolution that is undated, from the Board of Directors of the Watford City (North Dakota) Association of Commerce, argues that a pool level of 1850 feet behind the Garrison Dam will "imperil or destroy" the Lewis and Clark and Buford-Trenton irrigation projects, thus resulting in permanent loss of productions from effected agricultural units, as well as the displacement of many farm families, whereas a pool height of 1830 feet will result in less destruction without interfering with the primary purpose of power generation and water storage.
For these reasons, the Board of Directors, "respectfully urges the joint session of Governors, the representatives of the Bureau of Reclamation, and the officers of the U. S. Army Engineers Corps meeting at Omaha, August 16, 1945 to plan the construction of the Garrison Dam at a pool level which will cause the least possible property damage consistent with the purpose of the integrated plan for the development of the Missouri River Basin."
While this resolution is undated, it references a meeting that will take place on August 16, 1945. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that this resolution dates around 1945. In this resolution, there are handwritten signatures from the two authors, Leland M. Stenehjem and Erven W. Day.
-
Letter from Herbert O. Weber "To Whom It May Concern" Regarding Richard Auras's Character, August 8, 1945
Herbert O. Weber
In this letter, dated August 8, 1945, from Herbert O. Weber of Drugless Health Service in San Francisco, Weber describes interned German national Richard Auras as trustworthy, reliable, studious, painstaking in his work and of good character.
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 Anna Wilde to Senator Langer Regarding A Possible Alternative to the Garrison Dam, December 18, 1945
Anna Wilde
This letter dated December 18, 1945, from Anna D. Wilde, a member of the Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold to United States (US) Senator William Langer, refers to the "small pamphlet" setting forth the Tribes' reasons for protesting the construction of the Garrison Dam. She lists many virtues of the un-flooded Missouri Slope, naming, for example the role of the rich farmlands in "feeding the starving citizens of the recently liberated countries."
Wilde writes she is in contact with an engineer who says a diversion could be implemented by placing smaller dams on the Yellowstone and Little Missouri rivers and canals used to control the overflow, thus sparing residents the loss of their homes.
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to Anna Wilde regarding the Garrison Dam, December 31, 1945
Pamphlet from Floyd Montclair to Senator Langer Regarding the Fort Berthold Indians of North Dakota, June 16, 1945
-
Joint Resolution from the Williston Township Farmer's Union Regarding Garrison Reservoir Pool Level, October 14, 1945
Williston Township Farmer's Union
This joint resolution dated October 19, 1945, from the Williston (North Dakota) Township Farmer's Union, lists several reasons why the Union is "unalterably opposed" to the operation of the pool of the Garrison Dam at a maximum level that exceeds 1830 feet above sea level. Reasons include the flooding of bottomlands, the loss of local revenue from farming, and a lack of impartial hearings conducted within the affected areas.
This resolution contains handwritten signatures and dates.
-
Speech by Representative Usher Burdick, "What Can Be Done for the American Indian?" April 25, 1944
Usher L. Burdick
This speech, delivered April 25, 1944 in the United States House of Representatives by US Representative Usher L. Burdick, is titled "What Can Be Done for the American Indian." Burdick begins by noting that "the Indian tribes were in possession of this country when the white man landed," and catalogues many injustices against them, including dispossession through repeated violations of treaties and other examples of bad-faith dealings, eventually arriving at the current situation in which tribes have been placed under the guardianship of the US Government.
Burdick goes on to explain that tribes have been denied justice in US courts due to the need for an act of congress to allow them to go before the US Court of Claims, and that the scope of their claims is unreasonably limited by the language of the jurisdictional act. In rare cases where tribes are actually able to establish their claims, Burdick says, they are subjected to "set-offs" and "counterclaims" that cancel out or even exceed their established claims, so that despite winning their suit, they receive nothing or, worse yet, owe the government.
Burdick mentions the Wheeler-Howard act of 1934 and the fact that it is supported by some Indians and opposed by others, and that "the attempt to force this act on all Indians has created bad blood and ill-feeling and generally has disrupted the peace and quiet of more than one reservation."
In conclusion, Burdick calls for all the claims of Indians against the US government to be "rounded up and finally settled," and when this is accomplished for the "Indian Bureau" to be abolished and for Indians to "take their proper place among other citizens of their State with all the rights, privileges, responsibilities, and duties of any other citizen."
-
Resolution from the Fort Berthold Americans to the United States Congress Regarding Disagreement with Law Over Indian Property, April 3, 1944
Jackson Dancing Bull
This document contains a resolution passed by an organization called "Fort Berthold Americans, Incorporated," a record of proceedings of a meeting, presumably held by this same organization, dated April 3, 1944, and a United States Senate memorandum slip indicating that these items are to be inserted in the United States (US) Congressional Record.
The resolution from “Fort Berthold American Inc.” stipulates that "any matter that should arise among our tribe be approved by Congress and giving [sic] our tribe opportunity to discuss among our tribe.” The resolution furthermore opposes unnecessary and confusing laws and states that the organization “cannot agree of this law making [sic] in regard to Indian property.” The resolution asks that Fort Berthold property be put “into same status as that of ather [sic] American people, and condemns "the law making scheme which has been in style to cause confusion among our tribe and dissatisfaction.” Reference is made to an understanding that a Council won't retire at the end of its term, though what council is being referred to here is unclear. The resolution is signed by Joe B. Bear, Adlai Stevenson, Alfred S. Smith, Jackson Dancing Bull, and Francis Stevenson and bears a handwritten annotation, “Ft Berthold.”
The document titled “Proceedings from this Meeting” contains ten "principles," summarized as follows: 1) to be excluded from the Wheeler-Howard Act; 2) to allow individuals to continue to use their own land and interest; 3) to pay personal tax to the state, but not land tax; 4) to recover the bill known as "$400,000"; 5:) to have anything pertaining to the tribe be considered by the tribe; 6) to have "our tribe" tribe pay a "transpass" fee for livestock grazing on tribal land; 7) to oppose the Bureau of Indian Affairs control of Indian life, including its management of Indian funds; 8) (a number of things are mentioned in this "principle," though it is not clear what the focus is; opposition to the Wheeler-Howard Act is mentioned; 9) the organization is not insulting anyone who wants to continue under the Bureau's program; and 10) to fight for American Ideals and be free from regimentation and bureaucratic control.
These proceedings are signed by Jackson Dancing Bull and Rufus Stevenson. The document is marked at the heading with the handwritten annotation “Van Hook, No Dak.”
-
Letter from Senator Langer to B. J. Youngbird Regarding Youngbird's Letter to US Subcommittee on Indian Affairs, September 11, 1944
William Langer
This letter dated September 11, 1944, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Ben "B. J." Youngbird, member of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, expresses Langer's thanks to Youngbird for sending a copy of the letter Youngbird wrote to the US Senate Subcommittee on Indian Affairs.
A handwritten annotation on the letter reads "Indians" and "COPY" is also stamped on it.
See also:
Letter from B. J. Youngbird to US Senate Subcommittee on Indian Affairs, August 14, 1944
-
Letter from Senator Langer to Earl Bateman Regarding M.E. Pool’s Report, May 6, 1944
William Langer
This letter dated May 6, 1944, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Fort Berthold Tribal Business Council member Earl Bateman references an enclosed report from M.E. Pool, secretary for the US Senate Committee on Appropriations. The letter and report are in answer to a request made by Bateman on April 21, 1944. Langer notes that if additional information is received, he will send it to Bateman.
The report referenced as enclosed was not found with this letter in Langer's papers.
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to Earl Bateman Regarding Requests, April 29, 1944
-
Letter from Senator Langer to Earl Bateman Regarding Requests, April 29, 1944
William Langer
This letter dated April 29, 1944 from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Business Council member Earl W. Bateman acknowledges the receipt of Bateman’s letter from April 21, 1944. Langer assures Bateman that he will take immediate action.
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to M.E. Pool Regarding Indian Matters, April 29, 1944
-
Letter from Senator Langer to Fox et al. Regarding Floyd Montclair’s Role as Representative of Fort Berthold Americans, Incorporated, May 11, 1944
William Langer
These eight letters, identical except for addressee, dated May 11, 1944 (except for one dated May 10) from United States Senator William Langer to Martin Fox, Sam Badgun, Walter Young Bear, Robert Lincoln, Phillip Snow, Richard Burr, Phillip Atkins, and Oscar Burr, all members the the organization Fort Berthold Americans, Incorporated, acknowledges Langer's receipt of their letter informing Langer that Floyd Montclair is their representative. Langer writes that Montclair “is down here appearing in behalf of the Fort Berthold American, Inc.” Langer assures the recipients that he is doing his best to help Montclair.
See also:
Letter from Fort Berthold Americans Incorporated to Senator Langer Regarding the Authorization of Floyd Montclair to Represent Them, April 21, 1944
-
Letter from Senator Langer to Joe Bear et al Regarding Resolution Placed in Congressional Record, April 7, 1944
William Langer
This letter dated April 7, 1944, from United States Senator William Langer to Joe E. Bear, Adlai Stevenson, Alfred Smith, Jackson Dancing Bull, and Francis Stevenson, marks the receipt of the letter received from Bear, Stevenson, Dancing Bull, and Stevenson which forwards a resolution that these five people would like placed in the congressional record. The letter’s wording is verbatim with the only alteration being the name and address of the five recipients. The letter states Langer will have the resolution placed in the United States Congressional record when Congress reconvenes. The letter is marked with the handwritten annotation “Indians.”
-
Letter from Senator Langer to M.E. Pool Regarding Indian Matters, April 29, 1944
William Langer
This letter dated April 29, 1944 from United States (US) Senator William Langer to M.E. Pool, clerk for the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, refers to an enclosed letter from Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Business Councilman Earl W. Bateman “asking for certain information regarding Indian matters.” Langer writes that Pool’s help in securing the materials Bateman is requesting will be greatly appreciated.
The letter from Bateman mentioned as being enclosed was not found with this letter in Langer's papers.
-
Letter from M.E. Pool to Senator Langer Regarding Bateman Requests, May 5, 1944
M.E. Pool
This letter dated May 5, 1944, from M.E. Pool, secretary for the United States (US) Senate Committee on Appropriations, to US Senator William Langer acknowledges Langer’s letter of April 29 asking Pool to find information requested by Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Business Council member Earl Bateman. Pool says the information requested by Bateman “will be furnished insofar as it may be available."
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to M.E. Pool Regarding Indian Matters, April 29, 1944
-
"Agenda for the Fort Berthold Reservation" by Carl Sylvester, August 4, 1944
Carl Sylvester
This agenda dated August 4, 1944, signed by Carl Sylvester, Chairperson of the Tribal Business Council of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, lists twenty-six goals of the Tribal Business Council on topics including the restoration of alien land within the tribal boundary to tribal ownership, consolidation of fractional holdings to larger usable units, disavowal of forced fee patents by federal agents, establishing of Tribal authority over wildlife conservation, law enforcement, determination of blood quantum, and a variety of other issues.
The back side of the last page of the agenda contains several signatures and additional information or comments from those signing.
-
Letter from Fort Berthold Americans Incorporated to Senator Langer Regarding the Authorization of Floyd Montclair to Represent Them, April 21, 1944
Walter Young Bear
This letter dated April 21, 1944, from Walter Young Bear, Sam Badgun, Robert Lincoln, Phillip Snow, Martin Fox, Richard Burr, Phillip Atkins, and Oscar Burr to United States (US) Senator William Langer informs Langer that by vote of the Fort Berthold Americans, Incorporated, Floyd Montclair is authorized to speak to the Congress of the United States on their behalf.
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to Fox et al. Regarding Floyd Montclair’s Role as Representative of Fort Berthold Americans, Incorporated, May 11, 1944
-
Letter from B. J. Youngbird to US Senate Subcommittee on Indian Affairs, August 14, 1944
Ben J. Youngbird
This letter dated August 14, 1944, from Ben "B. J." Youngbird to United States (US) Senate Subcommittee on Indian Affairs, refers to the sub-committee's visit to the Fort Berthold Reservation, and explains that Youngbird was not able to give his views on what he thought was important during the visit.
Following this explanation is a list of seven points covering topics like self-government, the cattle program, liquor laws on the reservation, federal wardship, and inheritance laws. In some cases, Youngbird criticizes members seeking self-government as eager to "get their deeds, mortgage it and then spent it on their own selfish needs, such as cars, traveling and spending their money as they have spent it before."
In other cases, Youngbird defends the actions of Fort Berthold Agency Superintendent Beitzel against criticism made by tribal members, citing Beitzel's "stopping of Indian dances" as an example. Youngbird explains that when this happened, there was an ongoing measles epidemic, and children were dying, and Beitzel banned all public gatherings during the epidemic.
In conclusion, Youngbird identifies Floyd Montclair as the leader of the "No Party," and defends agency staff for denying Montclair's application to participate in the cattle program, adding that this denial is the reason for the condemnation of agency staff during the sub-committee's hearings at the reservation.
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to B. J. Youngbird Regarding Youngbird's Letter to US Subcommittee on Indian Affairs, September 11, 1944
-
Letter from William Zimmerman to Senator Langer Regarding US Senate Resolution 292 Authorizing Investigation of Oil-and-Gas Producing Tribal Lands in US and Alaska, July 14, 1944
William Zimmerman
This letter dated July 14, 1944, from William Zimmerman, Assistant Commissioner of the United States (US) Bureau of Indian Affairs, to US Senator William Langer, refers to a request the bureau received for a report on US Senate Resolution 292, which would authorize an investigation of "oil-and-gas bearing Indian lands in the U.S. and Alaska." Zimmerman writes that he sees no need for the proposed resolution and asks Langer "what lies behind the resolution." Zimmerman restates his position that such an investigation is unnecessary.
-
Letter from Senator Langer to J. B. Smith Regarding Resolution Opposing US Senate Bills 1218 and 1311, September 10, 1943
William Langer
This letter, dated September 10, 1943, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Restervation Tribal Business Council Secretary J. B. Smith, acknowledges receipt of the resolution passed by Tribal Business Council formalizing the Council's opposition to United States (US) Senate bills nos. 1218 and 1311.
Langer assures Smith that he will do all he possibly can to help.
See also:
Resolution by Tribal Business Council of Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold, North Dakota Opposing US Senate Bills 1218 and 1311, August 17, 1943
-
Resolution by Tribal Business Council of Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold, North Dakota Opposing US Senate Bills 1218 and 1311, August 17, 1943
Tribal Business Council, Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation and Carl Sylvester
This resolution, dated August 17 in the text of the document, and determined to be from 1943 based on the date of Langer's reply of September 10, 1943, formalizes the opposition of the Tribal Business Council of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation to United States (US) Senate bills nos. 1218 and 1311.
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to J. B. Smith Regarding Resolution Opposing US Senate Bills 1218 and 1311, September 10, 1943
-
Letter from Julia F. Begley "To Whom It May Concern" Regarding Richard Auras, January 19, 1942
Julia F. Begley
In this letter, dated January 19, 1942, from Julia F. Begley, teacher at the Hearst Day Adult Americanization Class, addressed "TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN," Begley describes the attendance of interned German national Richard Auras's attendance and keen interest in his work. She describes his attitude toward America and American principles as "of the finest."
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 C. Benedict "To Whom It May Concern" Regarding Richard Auras's Character and Loyalty to the US, January 24, 1942
C Benedict
In this letter, dated January 24, 1942, from C. Benedict and addressed "to whom it may concern," Benedict certifies that he has been employed by the City and County Hospital of San Francisco for the last fourteen years as a chef.
Benedict writes that his superior officers at the hospital have been "instrumental" in bringing his brother-in-law Richard Auras to the United States (US) through their efforts, including writing recommendations for Auras to the Immigration Department, and explains that Auras has been living in his home during this time, belongs to no subversive or anti-American organizations and that Auras's loyalty to the US is unquestionable. Benedict urges that Auras be released from Fort Lincoln and allowed to "finish his course of Chiropractic and there after become a useful Citizen of the U.S.A."
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