Secretary of the Interior Douglas McKay today announced that the Crow Creek Indian Agency now located at Fort Thompson, South Dakota, will be moved about December 1, to Pierre, S. Dak.
The move to Pierre was recommended by Indian Commissioner Glenn L., Emmons as a change from previous plans which called for transferring the agency from Fort Thompson to Chamberlain. Shortly after the proposed move to Chamberlain was announced last spring, the mayor of Chamberlain, Herschel V. Melcher, wrote a letter indicating his strong opposition" This was followed by a resolution adopted by the Chamberlain City Commissioners on April 7 and signed by Mayor Melcher which also opposed the move.
The decision to transfer the Crow Creek Agency, which serves both the Crow Creek and Lower Brule Reservations, from Fort Thompson was made necessary by the backing up of waters behind the Fort Randall Dam which will create serious problems at the present site. Location of the agency at Pierre, on the grounds of the Indian school has been approved by a majority of the Indians affected and by the responsible officials of that community.
