In the very early years it was the hunting grounds for tribes of Indians called Dakota or Sioux. Before the 1700s they were living in the forests of Minnesota. At that time they moved to the headwaters of the Big Sioux, James and Red Rivers on the land that is called the Drift Prairies. Their life style changed from being expert canoe men, eating fish and wild rice, and living in bark-covered wigwams to riding horses, eating buffalo meat and tipsin roots, and living in skin covered teepees. Horses became an important aspect of their lives, making it possible to follow the herds of buffalo to their grazing areas.
The buffalo were used in many different ways. The meat was dried for later uses such as Jerky. Sixteen to twenty hides formed a large teepee. The hides were also used for blankets, beds, hats, robes, drumcovers, moccasins, saddlebags, along with being stretched over willow to make "bull" boats for river crossings.
The tough skin from the neck was used as a shield that could withstand an arrow or musketball. The sinews were used for thread for sewing. The stomach was used for a cooking pot and the bladder served as a water bag. The horns were carved into utensils or used as headdresses in their costumes. The skull was used in their religious ceremonies. The bones were made into scrappers, knives, awls, needles, hoes, and the children used the ribs for sleds. The brains were made into an acidic tanning paste, while the hooves were boiled into glue. Dried dung (buffalo chips) was the main source of fuel on these treeless prairies.
Meat, fat and marrow were made into a paste and mixed with berries. This was called pemmican. It was long lasting and highly nutritious. The tail was used as a fly swatter.
In 1875 the bison were so thick that a group traveling from Pembina to Devils Lake was stopped for two days behind hastily built barricades as a herd of two or three million rumbled by them. Records show that the last great hunt was held in 1882. The Sioux Indians from the Standing Rock Reservation were led by an Indian agent named James McLaughlin who was stationed at Fort Yates. Two thousand men, women and children took part in this hunt. A herd of buffalo covered a valley 15 miles long. The first day they slaughtered 2,000 head. The second day was spent skinning and cutting up the animals. The third day they killed 3,000 head. By the year 1900 only about 300 buffalo remained in North Dakota. The large-scale slaughter of these animals was a source of some ill feelings between the Indians and the white men.
The first white man to establish trade with the Indians was LaVerendrye in 1738. He was instrumental in furnishing horses and other supplies to the tribes in exchange for animal skins. While he was with the Indians, there was an out-break of small pox among his men. This affliction spread to the Indians, causing the loss of many lives. It affected them to such an extent that it weakened their fighting power, making it easier for wandering tribes to conquer them. The fur traders also provided them with powder and guns and established forts in which to live.
In 1862 an uprising occurred in Minnesota which was started when three Sioux warriors became involved with some white settlers, which were eventually killed. This triggered the gathering of the warriors to prepare for a full-scale war. The Indians were angry with the government because they said they did not receive the payments for the land that had been promised in the various treaties: The government claimed to have given the money to the Indian agent. Apparently it was not distributed to the tribes and many discussions were held about going on the warpath. This incident was the spark that lit the fuse. After several battles the Indians fled from Minnesota and many of them came to Dakota Territory. The government commissioned General Sibley and General Sully to follow the Indians into the Northwest and punish them. General Sibly traveled through Foster County and spent six nights in the area.
On June 14, 1863, 4,000 men with equipment left Fort Snelling, Minnesota. They arrived four days later at Lake Jessie in Griggs County where they set up their base camp. Leaving the heavy equipment and wounded at this camp, they traveled in a southwesterly direction stopping six miles south of Juanita. Here they met some Chippewa half-breeds on a hunting expedition. They were accompanied by a priest named Andre, and led by a man called Wilkie. One of the soldiers, George E. Brent, was accidentally shot as he was dismounting his horse. He started back to Camp Atchinson but died about eight miles from there. A marker may still be seen at the location of his grave.
In their journey across Foster County they made stops along the James River, Pipestem River and other small water holes. Because of the lack of wood, the men had to collect buffalo chips which they used for fuel to cook their meals. The chips burned well but left a distinct odor and taste to the food which the soldiers disliked.
Sibley found the Indians he sought near Big Mound. A battle ensued and the Indians were defeated. The soldiers followed the few Indians that escaped as far as the Missouri River and then returned back across Foster County to their base camp.
Many treaties were signed and broken with the Indians until the year 1881. Peace finally came to the area when Sitting Bull voluntarily surrendered to the United States troops. The tribes were tired of war and agreed to settle on the reservations.
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 21