American Board, and which were so hopeful, were one after another
abandoned. These constant removals were as disastrous to missions as
they were unjust to the Indians. It was remarkable that there should
be the degree of spiritual fruitage through all this period of Indian
removals and Indian wrongs, which characterizes the labors of those
who often, at peril of life, labored on for the red man's salvation.

The American Board began its work among the Dakotas in 1835. It was
one of the most powerful tribes on the continent, numbering over
40,000. Their hunting-grounds extended from the 43 degrees to the 49
degrees of latitude, and from the Mississippi River to the Black
Hills west of the Missouri. This was a territory equal in extent to
that of Scotland. The name Dakota means the "allied one," and
indicates the bands that united to form the tribe. The missionary
work, which was initiated under Rev. T.S. Williamson, Rev. J.D.
Stevens and Rev. S. Riggs, with their wives, and lady teachers, began
prosperously, and in six years forty-nine persons were formed into a
church. For some years the accessions were mostly women. The
acceptance of Christianity was more difficult to the men. The change
in the manner of life involved in it was greater. It meant entire
reconstruction of their ideas of life, and in the manner of it, the
abandonment of polygamy, the adoption of civilized dress, the spirit
of obedience and industry. These were the contradictions to centuries
of tradition and custom, and meant to an Indian brave the becoming
like a woman. At length, however, the gospel did take hold of the
warriors. The work and the faith of the missionaries were thoroughly
tested by the opposition this aroused, but the gospel won its way. At
last, when the rumors of the Civil War between the Northern and the
Southern States came to the Indians, it set their hearts aflame for
battle with their white neighbors, whose encroachment they resented.

Then broke out the dreadful Minnesota massacre, when the missionaries
were compelled to flee for their lives, and the missions were
abandoned. Twelve hundred United States troops at last scattered the
savages and took about five hundred prisoners. They were incarcerated
at the Mankato prison in Minnesota, where thirty-eight were hung in
one day. The remainder in prison were visited by the missionaries,
and the prison house became a chapel. Soon it was a Bethel, a great
revival began, which lasted