M. Indian Trail from Fort Totten to Standing Rock Reservation

This trail followed the line between Foster and Wells counties. Long lines of Indians with their carts, horses, children, end dogs would be seen passing by.

Every year the Indians traveled between Standing Rock reservation and Fort Totten. Their travel was as near a bee line as possible especially southwest of Hawksnest. The trail came right over the Hawksnest Hills out of the southwest, and then circled over to a line which is about the Wells-Foster counties border now. Then they continued almost due north, angling a little east to reach Fort Totten. They forded the streams they encountered on the trail with little difficulty. On these annual treks of the Indians, in the early years traveled by travois and later by wagon they used to carry tainted meats, green and untanned skins and dried roots making a stench that prompted one to know that his five senses were active and in perfect working order. (school report of Peggy Zink)

Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 396