The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-07-01 00:00:00

'LA CROSSE " AT WINDSOR.

(From the Daily Telegraph, Jane 27.)
By one of those Royal commands which are inter-
preted as priceless favours, the Iroquois Indian team of
"La Crosse" players and the representative team of
Canadian gentlemen selected from the Dominion clubs
had the honour of playing the game in which they are,
one and all, remarkably skilled, before Her Majesty
the Queen, on Monday afternoon, on the lawn below
the slopes of Windsor Castle. This occasion was full
of such incidents as will beyond a doubt be remem-
bered by the Colonial subjects of her Majesty to the
end of their lives. The gracious and kindty reception
which they experienced may by the outside world be
taken for granted • but to the thirteen gentle-
men of English blood, and the equal number of
redskins belonging to a race partially reclaimed
from a state of wild Independence, the act of con-
descension was evidently a more than expected honour.
Dr. William George Beers, captain of the team, and
his twelve companions Messrs. Angus Grant, H.
Wylie Becket, T. G Ralston, S. Massey, W. B. Rose,
R. Summerhayes, F. C. A. M'lndoe, D. E. Bowie,
T. E. Hodgson, H. C. Joseph, J. T. Green, and G. S.
Hubbell, arrived at the Castle shortly after five
o'clock, with the Indian team: Teir Karonaire (Blue
Spotted), AtonBa TekanennacBihen (Hickory Wood
Split), ShaBatis Anasotako (Pick the Feather),
ShaBatis Aientonni (Hole in the Sky), Bishe
Taiennontii (Flying Name), AtonBa TeronkoBa
(The Loon), Bishe Ononsanoron (Deer House),
Saksarii Tontariiakon (CroQsing the River), Tier
Skanenrati (Outside the Multitude), Rasar Kanen-
takeron (Scattered Branches), Kor Kanentakeron
(Spruce Branches), Saksarii Shakosennakete (Great
.Arm), and AlonBa TonBnnata (Wild Wind). The
whole party, having been conducted by General Pon-
sonby to the ground, stood ready to be marshalled
before the Queen, who, a little before half past five.Y
o'clock, was driven on the path below the East-
terrace, in a chaise and a pair of greys, precec"-.l"tha.
single outrider. Accampaeying her tVOtl Mot
were Prince Leopold and Prince Christian. The
members of the Royal Household looked on from
the terrace above; and there were several visitors,
among whom were the Hon. E. Chaplean, Attor-
ney-General of the Province of Quebec, and Mr.
Dore, agent for the Dominion of Canada. The
tbirteen Iroquois first had the honour of being pre-
sented to the Queen by General Ponsonby ; and the
chief, who is familiarly called Big John, advanced
respectfully to the side of the carriage and read from
a curiously illuminated scroll of beech-bark, mounted
Tsu blue silk, with a deep fringe and with rosettes of
blue ribbon, a genuine Indian address. This document
with its translation, had some time 'ago been trans-
mitted to her Majesty, through Lord Carnarvon ; and
when the Queen desired to see the game of La Crosse
played, she thoughtfully proposed that the address
should be returned to the Indians, that they might have
the gratification of presenting it in person. Big. John
did not stint a moment of time in reading this singular
address, a translation of which here follows :