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 Glenn Emmons Regarding the Location of Medical Centers for the Fort Berthold Reservation, June 28, 1954
William Langer
This letter dated June 28, 1954, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Glenn Emmons, Commissioner of the US Bureau of Indian Affairs, encloses a letter from H. W. Case regarding the lack of first aid stations at the Fort Berthold Reservation. Langer asks Emmons to look into the situation to see what can be done.
The referred-to enclosure was not found with this letter in Langer's papers.
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to H. W. Case Regarding the Location of Medical Centers for the Fort Berthold Reservation, June 28, 1954
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Letter from Senator Langer to H. W. Case Regarding the Location of Medical Centers for the Fort Berthold Reservation, July 20, 1954
William Langer
This letter dated July 20, 1954, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to H. W. Case makes reference to a report Langer has received from the US Bureau of Indian Affairs rregarding “first aid stations on the Fort Berthold Reservation.” Langer writes that he has enclosed the report.
The enclosure, dated July 19, 1954, from Glenn Emmons, Commissioner of the US Bureau of Indian Affairs acknowledges the receipt from Langer of Case’s correspondence to Langer and informs Langer that the director of the United States Indian Bureau Aberdeen Office will investigate the conditions as described by Case and “take such corrective action as is possible with the means at his disposal.” Emmons writes that he will contact Langer further upon receipt of the Area Director’s report.
The letter is marked with the handwritten annotations “N.D. Indians.”
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to Glenn Emmons Regarding the Location of Medical Centers for the Fort Berthold Reservation, June 28, 1954
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Letter from Senator Langer to H. W. Case Regarding the Location of Medical Centers for the Fort Berthold Reservation, June 28, 1954
William Langer
This letter dated June 28, 1954, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to H. W. case marks the receipt of Case’s letter from June 2, 1954, “concerning the lack of aid stations on the Fort Berthold Reservation.” Langer writes that he is contacting authorities on this matter to see what can be done immediately and will contact Case when information is received. The letter is marked with the handwritten annotations “Nodak Indians” and “Indian Bureau.”
See also:
Letter from Irene Martin for Senator Langer to H. W. Case Regarding the Location of Medical Centers for the Fort Berthold Reservation, June 14, 1954
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Letter from Senator Langer to John B. Hart Regarding Illegitimacy Cases on the Fort Berthold Reservation, November 19, 1954
William Langer
This letter, dated November 19, 1954, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission Executive Director John B. Hart, makes reference to an enclosed letter from Forth Berthold Social Worker Pansy Pawson regarding a requested report on illegitimate births on the Fort Berthold Reservation. Langer asks for Hart's advice in the matter, and requests that Hart return Pawson's letter with his reply.
See also:
Letter from Pansy Pawson to Senator Langer Regarding Illegitimacy Cases on the Fort Berthold Reservation, November 17, 1954
Letter from John B. Hart to Senator Langer Regarding Illegitimacy Cases on the Fort Berthold Reservation, December 17,1954
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Letter from Senator Langer to Joseph Packineau Regarding Packineau's Request that Ralph Shane be Appointed Superintendent of the Fort Berthold Indian Agency, February 17, 1954
William Langer
This letter, dated February 17, 1954, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Joseph Packineau of Elbowoods, North Dakota on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, makes reference to Packineau's recent letter requesting that Langer do what he can to see that Ralph Shane is appointed Superintendent of the Fort Berthold Indian Agency. Langer writes that he has "taken this up with the officials" and that Packineau will be hearing from him again shortly.
See also:
Letter from Joseph Packineau to Senator Langer Asking That Ralph Shane be Appointed Superintendent of the Fort Berthold Indian Agency, February 2, 1954
Letter from Senator Langer to Joseph Packineau Regarding Packineau's Request That Ralph W. Shane Be Appointed Superintendent of Fort Berthold Indian Agency, March 15, 1954
Letter from Senator Langer to Glenn L. Emmons Conveying Joseph Packineau's Request That Ralph W. Shane Be Appointed Superintendent of Fort Berthold Indian Agency, February 17, 1954
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Letter from Senator Langer to Joseph Packineau Regarding Packineau's Request That Ralph W. Shane Be Appointed Superintendent of Fort Berhold Indian Agency, March 15, 1954
William Langer
This letter, dated March 15, 1954, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Joseph Packineau of Elbowoods, North Dakota on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, makes reference to an attached report from Acting Commissioner of the US Bureau of Indian Affairs W. Barton Greenwood, in which Greenwood informs Langer that Shane has indeed been appointed Superintendent of the Fort Berthold Indian Agency, and will assume this position effective March 14
See also:
Letter from Joseph Packineau to Senator Langer Asking That Ralph Shane be Appointed Superintendent of the Fort Berthold Indian Agency, February 2, 1954
Letter from Senator Langer to Glenn L. Emmons Conveying Joseph Packineau's Request That Ralph W. Shane Be Appointed Superintendent of Fort Berthold Indian Agency, February 17, 1954
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Letter from Senator Langer to Marie D. Wells Regarding Fort Berthold Hearing in US Court of Claims, March 6, 1954
William Langer
This letter dated March 6, 1954, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Marie D. Wells of Elbowoods, North Dakota, acknowledges Wells's recent letter regarding her desire for the Fort Berthold hearing in the US Court of Claims to take place as soon as possible.
Langer says he has just finished conferences with her people and is taking early action on the claims involved with the US Attorney General and the Commissioner of the US Bureau of Indian Affairs, adding his assurance he is doing everything he can.
See also:
Letter from Marie D. Wells to Senator Langer Regarding Fort Berthold Hearing in US Court of Claims, March 1, 1954
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Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Declining Invitation to a Meeting Regarding Release of Tribal Funds, July 14, 1954
William Langer
This telegram dated July 14, 1954, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross, declines Cross's invitation to attend a meeting in New Town, North Dakota July 15-17 regarding the release of tribal funds. Langer indicates that his work prevents him from leaving. A handwritten note on the telegram reads, "Cross, Martin."
See also:
Telegram from Martin Cross to William Langer Inviting Langer to a Meeting Regarding Release of Tribal Funds in US Treasury, July 13, 1954
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Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Regarding House Resolution 4985, June 21, 1954
William Langer
This letter dated June 21, 1954, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross, acknowledges Cross's telegram regarding US House Resolution 4985 (H.R. 4985). Langer informs Cross that the bill is still before the US House Committee, but if and when it comes to the Senate, Langer will do what he can. A handwritten note on the letter reads, "Cross, Martin."
See also:
Telegram from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Requesting that Langer Oppose House Resolution 4985, June 10, 1954
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Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Regarding Proposed Amendment to Public Law 280, July 20, 1954
William Langer
This letter dated July 20, 1954, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross, thanks Cross for contacting Langer about the July 8th hearings regarding a proposed amendment to US Public Law 280. Langer informs Cross that the bill is still under consideration.
There are some handwritten notes on the letter.
See also:
An Act to Confer Jurisdiction on the States of California, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, and Wisconsin, with Respect to Criminal Offenses and Civil Causes of Action Committed or Arising on Indian Reservations Within Such States, and for Other Purposes (US Public Law 280)
Telegram from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Regarding Proposed Amendment to US Public Law 280, July 6, 1954
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Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Regarding Ramona Bearquiver's Inquiry about her Son's Enrollment in the Three Affiliated Tribes, July 27 1954
William Langer
This letter dated July 27, 1954, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross, encloses a letter from Ramona Bearquiver who has written to inquire about her son's eligibility for enrollment in the Three Affiliated Tribes. Langer asks Cross for his comments and suggestions on the matter. The letter to Bearquiver is not enclosed with this document, but the reply that Langer sent to her is enclosed.
There are some handwritten annotations on the letter.
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Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Thanking Cross for Sending the Quarterly Delinquency Report of the Fort Berthold Loan Clients, October 18, 1954
William Langer
This letter dated October 18, 1954, from United States Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross, thanks Cross his letter of October 15th which enclosed the "Quarterly Delinquency Report of the Fort Berthold Loan clients of the Corporation Credit Fund" and "Trial Balance of Fort Berthold Tribal Enterprises."
The letter contains some handwritten annotations.
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Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross With a Reply from the Department of the Interior Regarding the Extraction of Oil and Gas from the Fort Berthold Reservation Lands, July 29, 1954
William Langer
This letter dated July 29, 1954, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross, encloses a report from Assistant Secretary Orme Lewis of the US Department of the Interior regarding oil and gas leases on land taken from the Three Affiliated Tribes for the construction of the Garrison Dam. In the enclosed report, dated July 16, 1954, Lewis says that per the US Bureau of Land Management, all oil and gas leases are suspended pending current legislation that aims to return oil and gas rights and land interests to the Three Affiliated Tribes.
The letter has a handwritten note that reads, "Cross, Martin."
See also:
Telegram from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Asking Langer to Prevent Leasing of Oil and Gas from the Fort Berthold Reservation Lands June 5, 1954
Letter from Orme Lewis to Senator Langer Regarding the Inquiry about the Leasing of Oil and Gas on Fort Berthold Reservation Lands, June 15, 1954
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Letter from Senator Langer to Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Price Regarding Mineral Rights on Area Flooded by Garrison Dam, February 3, 1954
William Langer
This letter, dated February 3, 1954, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Price of New Town, North Dakota (spelled "Newtown" in this letter) makes reference to a letter Langer has received from the Prices regarding mineral rights on the land flooded by the Garrison Dam.
In this reply, Langer informs the Prices that there is currently a bill before the Public Works Committee of the US Senate, though, he writes, "there is no way of knowing what they will do in Committee." He adds that members of the Tribal Council of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation visited him several times when they were in Washington, and he did what he could to arrange meetings for them before the US House of Representatives and Senate Interior and Insular Affairs Committees.
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Letter from Senator Langer to Mrs. Fred Wheeler Regarding Delays of Fort Berthold Hearings Before the US Court of Claims, March 11, 1954
William Langer
This letter, dated March 11, 1954, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Mrs. Fred Wheeler of Parshal, North Dakota, makes reference to Wheeler's letter of March 4th expressing concern over the delay in the Fort Berhold Hearings before the US Court of Claims. Langer writes that he has had meetings with tribal representatives and has contacted the US Attorney General and the Commissioner of the US Bureau of Indian Affairs requesting that action be expedited in the matter, and pledges to continue to help in every way he can.
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Letter from Senator Langer to Olger and Mrs. Lunden Regarding Possibility of Interracial School on Forth Berthold Restervation, February 28, 1954
William Langer
This letter, dated February 28, 1954, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Mr. and Mrs. Olger Lunden of Roseglen, North Dakota, makes reference to a letter Langer has received from the Lundens that day in which they expressed their interest in seeing an interracial school established on the Fort Berthold Reservation.
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Letter to Senator Langer to Ralph Shane Regarding Beatrice Grant's Son's Enrollment, January 12, 1954
William Langer
This letter, dated January 12, 1954 from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Fort Berthold Indian Agency Acting Superintendent Ralph Shane refers to correspondence Langer has received from Beatrice R. Grant regarding difficulties she is having enrolling her son in the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Forth Berthold Reservation. Langer asks that Shane advise him as to the status of Grant's son.
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Telegram from Senator Langer to Cornog Regarding Pool Level, February 16, 1954
William Langer
This telegram, dated February 16, 1954 is from United States (US) Senator Langer to George Cornog, manager of KEM Electric COOP Inc. In it, Langer states that he has already committed to the 1840 Garrison Reservoir pool level. There is a handwritten note at the top of the document which reads "Garrison Reservoir."
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Telegram from Senator Langer to Ernest Smith Assuring Smith that Langer Will do Everything Possible to Assist Martin Cross, May 20, 1954
William Langer
This telegram dated May 20, 1954, from United States Senator William Langer to Chairperson Ernest H. Smith of the Devil's Lake Sioux Tribe Council, is a reply wherein Langer tells Smith that he will do whatever he can for Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross.
There are some handwritten notes on the telegram.
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Telegram from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Stating that Langer Will do Everything He Can Regarding the Leasing of Oil and Gas on Fort Berthold Reservation Lands, June 9, 1954
William Langer
This telegram dated June 9, 1954, from United States Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross, tells Cross that Langer will do all that he can. This is likely in reply to Cross's June 5th telegram which asked Langer if he could help stop the oil and gas leases on land taken from the Three Affiliated Tribes for the Garrison Dam. A handwritten not on the telegram reads, "Cross, Martin."
See also:
Telegram from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Asking Langer to Prevent Leasing of Oil and Gas from the Fort Berthold Reservation Lands June 5, 1954
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Telegram from Senator Langer to Patrick Gourneau Letting him Know that Martin Cross Arrived in Washington and Langer will Help Him Every Way Possible, May 21, 1954
William Langer
This telegram dated May 21, 1954, from United States Senator William Langer to Turtle Mountain Advisory Committee Chairperson Patrick Gourneau, lets Gourneau know that Martin Cross has arrived (presumably in Washington, D.C.) and that Langer will help in every way possible.
There are some handwritten notes on the telegram.
See also:
Telegram from Patrick Gourneau to Senator Langer Requesting Langer Assist Martin Cross on his Mission in Washington, D.C., May 19, 1954
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Letter from Orme Lewis to Senator Langer Regarding the Inquiry about the Leasing of Oil and Gas on Fort Berthold Reservation Lands, June 15, 1954
Orme Lewis
This letter dated June 15, 1954, from Assistant Secretary of the United States (US) Department of the Interior Orme Lewis to US Senator William Langer, replies to Langer's June 9th letter regarding oil and gas leases on land taken from the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation for construction of the Garrison Dam. Lewis indicates that US Assistant Secretary Aanandahl's office asked Lewis to reply. Lewis says that he has requested a report and will write back with more detail.
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to Fred Aandahl Regarding the Telegram from Martin Cross Requesting the Leasing of Oil and Gas on Fort Berthold Reservation Lands, June 9, 1954
Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross With a Reply from the Department of the Interior Regarding the Extraction of Oil and Gas from the Fort Berthold Reservation Lands, July 29, 1954
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Letter from Joseph Packineau to Senator Langer Asking That Ralph Shane be Appointed Superintendent of the Fort Berthold Indian Agency, February 2, 1954
Joseph Packineau
This letter, dated February 2, 1954, from Joseph Packineau of Elbowoods, ND, of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Forth Berthold Reservation, to United States (US) Senator William Langer begins with Packineau explaining that there is a problem on the reservation: Fort Berthold Indian Agency superintendent Ben Reifel has been transferred to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Packineau writes that acting superintendent Ralph W. Shane has served as acting superintendent whenever Reifel has been away, and that Shane has done a good job, is well-liked by the people and "really understands" the needs and wants of the people on the reservation.
Packineau then asks Langer to "use the Old Langer fighting power" to get Shane appointed as superintendent of the Fort Berhold Indian Agency, adding, "Bill, you have to act fast if you please."
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to Glenn L. Emmons Conveying Joseph Packineau's Request That Ralph W. Shane Be Appointed Superintendent of Fort Berthold Indian Agency, February 17, 1954
Letter from Senator Langer to Joseph Packineau Regarding Packineau's Request That Ralph W. Shane Be Appointed Superintendent of Fort Berthold Indian Agency, March 15, 1954
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Letter from Pansy Pawson to Senator Langer Regarding Illegitimacy Cases on the Fort Berthold Reservation, November 17, 1954
Pansy Pawson
This letter, dated November 17, 1954, from Fort Berthold Social Worker Pansy Pawson to United States (US) Senator William Langer, makes reference to a request from Fort Berthold Agency Superintendent Ralph Shane that Pawson prepare a report on 20 cases of illegitimate birth on the Fort Berthold Reservation. Pawson writes that she has asked repeatedly and unsuccessfully for a list of the 20 cases from John B. Hart, executive director of the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission, as there is no such list at the Fort Berthold Agency, and she has no idea where Hart got that figure.
Pawson goes on to explain that "no mass effort is made to prove paternity on each and every case of illegitimacy reported on the birth certificate at the Fort Berthold Agency," and describes difficulties involved in establishing paternity in such cases, including a lack of emotional support for mothers who try to get fathers to accept the illegitimate children. Clients at the agency, she writes, are not given assistance until some effort is made, usually through court action, to prove paternity. In many cases, she adds, the father is married, which precludes any effort to force a marriage.
Pawson, in closing, writes that she is sorry she was "unable to remain at the Hearing until I was called upon, as I would like to have discussed the welfare problem here at Fort Berthold more fully than it was discussed during the day while I was at the Hearing."
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to John B. Hart Regarding Illegitimacy Cases on the Fort Berthold Reservation, November 19, 1954
Letter from John B. Hart to Senator Langer Regarding Illegitimacy Cases on the Fort Berthold Reservation, December 17,1954
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Daily News Sheet from the Fort Berthold Agency Written by Ralph M. Shane, May 14, 1954
Ralph M. Shane
This daily news sheet from the Fort Berthold Agency, dated Maybe 14, 1954, written by Superintendent Ralph M. Shane informs readers that the Secretary of the Interior did not approve $200 per capita payments. The tribal council plans to appeal. The news sheet provides additional updates related to the tribal council and to the reservation.