Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Sioux Indians

SIOUX, or DACOTAH, INDIANS, a once powerful family of North American Indians. Their number is estimated at 25,000; they are well advanced in civilization and are increasing in population. In 1862, the Sioux under the lead of Little Crow, a noted chief, in consequence of the annuity not having been paid to their satisfaction, waged a most cruel and exterminating war on the whites of Minnesota; and so well concerted were their schemes that no less than 640 men, women, and children, and 94 soldiers, were killed before the massacre was stayed. As an atonement for their great crime in thus murdering the whites the Federal Government allowed only 38 out of 303 Indians found guilty by a proper tribunal, to be executed. This clemency, though seemingly unjust, was the result of mature deliberation on the part of the authorities at Washington, who found that the Indians had been greatly wronged, and in consequence of which they sought revenge. They are now divided into small branches, and located on several reservations, chiefly in North and South Dakota and Minnesota.