In 1859 the question of securing a political organization for the Territory of Dakota was uppermost in the minds of the settlers. It was readily admitted that there would be little incentive to industry and improvement of the area until the settlers were secure in some form of authorized government.
The Yankton settlers were cordially supported by those other settlements along the Missouri slope. United States Senator Fitch introduced a bill to organize the Territory of Dakota in December of 1858. It was referred to the territorial committee, but nothing came of it. Another bill introduced on February 4, 1859 was also not acted upon.
The earliest settlers to the area between Sioux City and Fort Randall were confident that government officials in Washington, D. C. would support the establishment of a new territory west of Sioux City. In the U. S. House of Representatives on January 20, 1859, Alexander H. Stephens, who was about two years later elected vice president of the “Confederate States of America,” introduced a bill for the establishment of a territorial government in Dakota.
This measure got no further than to be referred to a committee. Like today, Congress in the middle 1800s had a hard time deciding what to with contentious issues. These often found their way to a committee where they were forgotten and expired.
A settlers’ mass convention was held in the Bramble Store on Third Street in Yankton on the 8th day of November, 1859, where resolutions were adopted. A memorial to Congress setting forth the needs of the people was authorized to be drawn up and circulated throughout the territory for signatures.
This meeting and a similar gathering at Vermillion were the first formal steps taken on the Missouri slope to secure the organization of the territory. The object of this loud and sometimes raucous meeting was to take into consideration the necessity of a territorial organization and to draw up and sign a memorial to Congress begging for a legal form of government. At the conclusion of this meeting at Bramble’s Store, a motion was made that a copy of the proceedings be sent to the Sioux City Register and the St. Louis Republican.
Although the record of the proceedings had been prepared with considerable care and sent to government officials, it failed to secure the affirmative action of Congress. It did however make a very favorable impression on the members of Congress. It called attention to the necessity and justice of furnishing the citizens of the United States who were living along the Missouri River below Fort Randall with some form of government.
It set forth the situation as it existed regarding the absence of any legal authority in the form of a local government, the exposed condition of the settlers to hostile Indians and white desperadoes. The absence of all forms of protection to property except that extended by the settlers themselves was emphasized and the need for a method by which tile to property could be acquired.
The memorial was signed by every settler on the Missouri Slope between Sioux City and above Fort Randall whose numbers reached the surprising total of 418. It was taken to Washington in December of 1859 by Captain John B Todd. No action was taken by Congress in response to this memorial.
The winter of 1859 – 60 passed away very quietly. It was a dull winter and the spirit of enterprise and improvement among the settlers was more false than real. The question of territorial organization was all-absorbing.
Captain Todd spent the winter in Washington working with members of Congress to facilitate the passage of an organic act, and while the feeling was friendly, the active friends of organization found it impossible to push the measure through. Congress finally adjourned, leaving the territory helpless so far as government was concerned.
On the 15th of January, 1861, a second territorial mass convention was held at Bramble’s Store in Yankton for the purpose of promoting the long deferred organization of the territory. It was not, however, a time when conditions seemed to favor the affirmative action of Congress. Settlers were by no means confident and optimistic of success. However, they felt it was their duty to support Captain Todd and his efforts.
The nation was on the verge of a long and savage civil war. Congress was torn with dissensions and absorbed in efforts to avert the impending national calamity. Many of the southern states had passed ordinances of secession, and their senators and representatives had abandoned their seats and returned to their homes to join in the hostilities that rapidly followed.
An earnest and carefully prepared memorial was the result of the convention. This document was neatly enrolled and signed by 478 pioneers, which probably included the entire population of the territory and possibly some of Charles F. Picotte’s family.
Picotte was a half blood fur trader who had considerable influence with his Sioux relatives. He was the chief factor in negotiating the treaty of 1858. He was very useful to the whites both in negotiations with the Sioux and as a guide and interpreter.
Picotte Street is located in the eastern section of Yankton and runs from 3rd Street near the river to 19th Street east of Fantile Park.
Author Author Clarence Shoemaker, originally published in the Gregory Times-Advocate on February 12, 2025