Alfred H Kennedy

Alfred was a Sioux man, Kul Wicasa Oyate, Sicangu band of Lakota (Lower Brule Sioux tribe)

The Kul Wicasa Oyate is a band of related families of the Lakota Nation called the Sicangu or Burnt Thighs. Brule comes from the French word brulé (burnt), the name French fur traders used for the Sicangu in the late 1600s. The Sicangu was divided into the Kul Wicasa, the Lower Brule, and the Heyata Wicasa, or Upper Brule, in the late 1700s. After the US Government became involved and began "issuing' treaties, things worsened. The following list of "treaties" was either broken by the United States or unratified by the Brule Sioux.

• 1825 - Fort Lookout Treaty
• 1851 - Fort Laramie Treaty
• 1865 - Fort Sully Treaty
• 1868 - Fort Laramie Treaty
• 1877 - Manypenny Agreement, the Act of February 2
• 1880 - Railroad Right-of-Way Agreement
• 1882 - Act of August 7 (unratified)
• 1883 - Agreement of January 27 (rejected)
• 1887 - Indian General Allotment Act, Dawes Act
• 1889 - Act of March 2
• 1899 - Act of March 3
• 1906 - Act of April 21
• 1906 - Act of May 8, Burke Act
• ​1934 - Indian Reorganization Act (Wheeler-Howard Act), June 18
• 1934 - 44th Parallel Controversy
• ​1944 - Pick-Sloan Act
• 1954 - Fort Randall Taking Act
• 1962 - Big Bend Taking Act

​After almost 200 years since Lakota tribal leaders signed a treaty with the United States at Fort Lookout (1825), the Lower Brule Reservation is a confusing checkerboard of lands with several different kinds of ownership: land belonging to the Tribe or tribal members, held in trust by the US government (trust lands, tribal lands, and allotted lands); and land removed from trust and owned outright by tribal and non-tribal individuals (fee lands). Because the inheritance of allotted lands was to descendants, a single plot of land today might be divided among many relatives, making it extremely difficult to deal with land management issues.

The most urgent priority in this complex cultural landscape has been the return of lost lands. Almost half the property in the Reservation was non-Indian-owned as late as the 1950s...
Source:“Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Traditional Territory.” Lowerbrulesiouxtribe, www.lowerbrulesiouxtribe.com/lower-brule-territory.

Location of Sioux tribes before 1770 (dark green) and their current reservations (orange) in the US

Sioux Tribal Lands in South Dakota

Photo of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Reservation courtesy of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe

Buffalo and elk have also been successfully reintroduced

Lower Brule Reservation

Historic Map furnished by Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Department of Wildlife, Fish and Recreation

Biography:
Alfred was born May 17, 1902, to father Van Meter Kennedy and mother Martha Kennedy (NN). His mother Martha reportedly had 10 children but only 4 sons survived, although census reports do not confirm this. He was born (probably) in the Lower Brule Unorganized Territory, Lyman County, South Dakota

According to the book Vanished in Hiawatha, author Carla Joinson suggests that Alfred was committed to the Canton Asylum on January or November 1, 1923, diagnosed as a psychopathic, and discharged on February 15, 1926. Correspondence between the asylum's superintendent Dr. Harry Hummer states, however, that Alfred was committed on November 1, 1923, suffering from anxious depression presumably due to an active pulmonary and intestinal tuberculosis. Dr. (Emil) Kraepelin reportedly examined him in April 1925 and found him polite and animated with "no signs of intelligence deficiencies, no fits of craziness or hallucinations". He recovered, according to Dr. Hummer, and was recommended for release after multiple requests by his father, on January 16, 1926. He was placed on a train home on February 15, 1926. Said correspondence file has been uploaded here: https://www.geni.com/documents/view?doc_id=6000000213974367846

Alfred seems to have married twice and had at least one child with a third partner. His tuberculosis did not return and Albert died, probably in Fort Thompson, Buffalo County, South Dakota, on October 22, 1943, of unknown causes and was buried at St. Joseph Cemetery, Fort Thompson, Buffalo County, South Dakota

His profile is part of the https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:Canton_Asylum.

Research Notes:
-the Jun 30, 1921 census has birth dates for siblings.
-His mother Martha reportedly had 10 children but only 4 sons survived
__________
Sources:

1904 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QG54-GDSY : Tue Jan 14 11:18:13 UTC 2025), Entry for Alfred Kennedy, 1904, pg. 185/604, line 204 (age 2), census of the Lower Brule Sioux Indians, Lower Brule Agency, South Dakota

1906 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP3K-HFPZ : Thu Jan 16 14:24:21 UTC 2025), Entry for Alfred Kennedy, 1906, pg. 219/604, line 205 (age 4), census of the Lower Brule Sioux Indians, Lower Brule Agency, South Dakota

1910 May 7 - "United States, Census, 1910", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MPX5-T9J : Wed Mar 06 16:42:27 UTC 2024), Entry for Scott Kennedy and Alfred H Kennedy, 1910, pg. 857/1082, line 11 (age 8), census of part of the Loser Brule Reservation, Lyman County, South Dakota

1911 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QG55-JTFH : Mon Jul 08 22:56:43 UTC 2024), Entry for Alfred Kennedy, 1911, pg. 314/604, line 234 (age 9), census of teh Sioux Indians, Lower Brule Agency, S.D.

1914 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QY72-NRMM: Sat Mar 09 07:10:10 UTC 2024), Entry for Alfred Kennedy, 1914, pg. 391/604, line 244 (age 12), census of the Lower Brule Sioux Indians, Lower Brule Agency, S.D.

1915 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP7Q-ZDS4 : Thu Jul 11 12:26:01 UTC 2024), Entry for Alfred Kennedy, 1915, pg. 418/604, line 250 (age 13), census of the Lower Brule Indians, Lower Brule Agency, S.D.

1917 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QY4Y-YCZM : Fri Jan 10 22:25:32 UTC 2025), Entry for Alfred Kennedy, 1917, pg. 468/604, line 265 (b=1902), census of the Lower Brule Indians, Lower Brule Agency, S.D.

1918 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QYWB-QY3Z : Tue Jan 14 14:59:30 UTC 2025), Entry for Alfred Kennedy, 1918, pg. 487/604, line 262 (b=1902), census of the Lower Brule Indians, Lower Brule Agency, S.D.

1920 Mar 10 - "United States, Census, 1920", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6JW-H82 : Fri Jan 10 21:33:30 UTC 2025), Entry for Vameter H Kennedy and Grace Wilma Kennedy, 1920, pg. 1043/1130, line 28 (age 17), census of the Lower Brule Reservation, Lyman County, South Dakota

(Curator Note: data on line 28 has been crossed out, with no explanation, the assumption is that Alfred was born to a different mother.

1921 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QYYT-K96Z : Sat Jul 13 23:25:07 UTC 2024), Entry for Alfred Kennedy, 1921, pg. 525/604, line 286 (b=1902), census of the Lower Brule Indians, Lower Brule Agency, So. Dak.

1922 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:79Y1-J12M : Sun Mar 10 04:31:41 UTC 2024), Entry for Alfred Kennedy, 1922, pg. 545/604, line 289 (b=1902), census of the Lower Brule Indians, Lower Brule Agency, So. Dak.

1923 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QYQX-4D3Z : Thu Jan 16 01:41:32 UTC 2025), Entry for Alfred Kennedy, 1930, pg. 565/604, line 288 (b=1902), census of the Lower Brule Indians, Lower Brule Agency, So. Dak.

1923 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QYQX-4D3Z : Thu Jan 16 01:41:32 UTC 2025), Entry for Alfred Kennedy, 1930, pg. 565/604, line 288 (b=1902),

1924 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QYQ6-Z8MM : Mon Jan 13 05:46:27 UTC 2025), Entry for Alfred H Kennedy, 1924, pg. 589/604, line 290 (b=1902), census of the Lower Brule Indians, Lower Brule Agency, So. Dak.

1924 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:688Q-XGKF : Sun Mar 10 17:03:52 UTC 2024), Entry for Alfred H Kennedy, 1924, pg. 515/522, line 21, male census Canton Asylum

1925 Jun 30 - Canton Insane Asylum: 1923-33; Cantonment School, pg. 370/1140: 1910-27, Series: Superintendents' Annual Narrative and Statistical Reports 1910 – 1935, Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 7th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20408 @ https://catalog.archives.gov/id/155855298?objectPage=116, line 21, male census of Canton Asylum

1925 - "South Dakota, State Census, 1925", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MM43-ZX2 : Thu Jan 16 01:49:04 UTC 2025), Entry for Alfred H Kennedy, 1925, pg. 2028/3379, card #664 (age 22, single), South Dakota state census

1926 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:661K-1698 : Sun Mar 10 16:51:01 UTC 2024), Entry for Alfred H Kennedy, 1926, pg. 419/861, line 288 (b=1902), census of the Lower Brule Sioux, Loser Brule Sub-Agency, Crow Creek Agency

1927 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:661K-5KX8 : Sun Mar 10 05:21:54 UTC 2024), Entry for Alfred H Kennedy, 1927, pg. 527/861, line 284 (b=1902), census of the Lower Brule Sioux Indians, Crwo Creek Agency, S.D.

1928 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:661J-QPG3 : Sun Mar 10 00:59:43 UTC 2024), Entry for Alfred Kennedy, 1928, pg. 628/861, line 282 (b=1902), census of the Lower Brule Sioux Indians, Lower Brule Agency

1929 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:661N-T5QH : Sat Jan 11 18:07:07 UTC 2025), Entry for Alfred H Kennedy, 1929, pg. 777/861, line 282 (b=1902), census of the Lower Brule Sioux tribe, Lower Brule Reservation, Crow Creek jurisdiction

1929 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:661N-MJN2: Sat Mar 09 11:20:40 UTC 2024), Entry for Alfred F Kennedy, 1929, pg. 833/861, line 282 (b=1902, census of the Lower Brule Sioux tribe, Lower Brule Reservation, Crow Creek jurisdiction

1931 Apr 1 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QL6P-9B5Z : Thu Mar 07 20:00:35 UTC 2024), Entry for Alfred H Kennedy, 1931, pg. 246/652, line 262 (age 29), census of the Lower Brule Reservation, Crow Creek jurisdiction

Curator Note: this document shows him at the Crow Creek Reservation

1932 Apr 1 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPJQ-H2XG : Sat Jul 20 19:11:35 UTC 2024), Entry for Alfred H Kennedy, 1932, pg. 467/652, line 266 (age 29, b=5.17.1902), census of the Lower Brule Reservation, Crow Creek jurisdiction

Curator Note: this document shows him married and at another jurisdiction but does NOT identify either

1933 Apr 1 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP8V-46BX : Wed Jan 15 08:03:25 UTC 2025), Entry for Alfred H Kennedy, 1933, pg. 619/652, line 266 (b=5.17.1902), census of the Lower Brule Reservation, Crow Creek jurisdiction

1934 Apr 1 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QLGQ-GD58 : Fri Jan 10 15:17:06 UTC 2025), Entry for Alfred H Kennedy, 1934, pg. 125/469, line 265 (age 31), census of the Lower Brule Reservation, Crow Creek jurisdiction, S.D.

1935 Dec 31 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QLB6-2Z2S : Fri Jul 19 15:36:33 UTC 2024), Entry for Alfred H Kennedy, 1935, pg. 236/469, line 11, census of the Lower Brule Reservation, Crow Creek jurisdiction, 1936 supplemental roll

1935 - "South Dakota, State Census, 1935", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MV4R-KT2 : Tue Jul 16 19:50:22 UTC 2024), Entry for Alfred Kennedy and Eliza Kuble, 1935, pg. 1208/3342, card #961 (age 33), South Dakota state census, Buffalo County

1937 Jan 1 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGYV-2L6N : Sun Jul 07 16:12:31 UTC 2024), Entry for Alfred H Kennedy, 1937, pg. 379/469, line 272 (age 34), census of the Lower Brule REservation, Crow Creek jurisdiction, South Dakota

1940 Mar 30 - "United States, Census, 1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V19D-S6K : Thu Jan 16 18:22:48 UTC 2025), Entry for Alfred Kennedy and Elisa Kennedy, 1940, pg. 49/659, line 67 (age 38), census of Township 106 Range 70, Fort Thompson, Buffalo County, South Dakota

Curator Note: the census also identifies three children: Verna Kennedy, Alfred Jr Kennedy, Darwin Kennedy

1943 Nov 22 - "Find a Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6BTJ-JY9X : 18 October 2024), Alfred Kennedy, ; Burial, Fort Thompson, Buffalo, South Dakota, United States of America, St. Joseph's Cemetery; citing record ID 274142544, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/274142544/alfred-kennedy: accessed January 16, 2025), memorial page for Alfred Kennedy (1903–22 Nov 1943), Find a Grave Memorial ID 274142544, citing St. Joseph's Cemetery, Fort Thompson, Buffalo County, South Dakota, USA; Maintained by Debbie Menzel (contributor 48189274).