The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1850-01-02
Bad Hail is an Indian Of the Aiinda

Bad Hail is an Indian Of the Minda
| Wakanton Sioux tribe, he has risen to
his present rank, by his own acts of bra
very, he was born of common family,
and grew up to young man, as one of
the ordinary Indians, AT about 20
years of age, he was selected by large
council of Indians to perform an act
that brought him into notice, and plac-
ed him among the great men of the ma
ton. This was to rid the country of
murderer and desperate, an Indian
who was terror to the nation This
murderer had killed several Indians
with their families, and in council it was
decreed that he should be put to death.
/ Bad Hail was selected from large
number of Indians, to execute the judg-
ment passed by the council, to rid the
country of this terror to all.
1t was with much reluctance that Bad
Hail undertook the task, saying he was
no match, or equal for the murderer;
but the Indians insisted on his MAX
ing a trial of his strength, agility and
courage, promising him all the honors
that could be bestowed hEt indian;
the murderer got news pr VIA was GO
ing on, and went andthia bSaself. Bad
Hail loaded his gun, and put it in good
firing order, stripping himself, and Civ
ing the war whop, he went in search of
the murderer After hunting for some
time, he discovered him under an old
tree, but so secreted that Bad Hail
could not fire with any surety of kill
ing him, and knowing if he fired first,
and missed, the murderer would make
sure of him. The murderer would not
fire first, his only chance being to wait
for Bad Hail to fire, when he would
have rushed upon him with his loaded
gun, and shot him down, Bad Hail man
ouvcrcd for some time before he could
Get the murderer in plain view, this he
effected, and then rushed upon him,
reserving his fire until within a few feet
of the murderer, who, seeing there was
no chance, but in making last desper-
ate effort, attempted to rise and fire at
Bad Hail, at that instant Bad Hail shout
ed-Shonk ohonkon oahta, tansagta,
ncchah apsah; shecchah; yah-ne-kon
sheechah, netaketah; ne-ohon shee chah,
dahon owehen-kektah.
Zoe to mankind, and terror of
our nation! thy mad career shall end,
and thou shalt die like a dog, as re-
ward for the life thou hast lived" SO
saying, he fired, and shot the murderer
through his vital parts. who fell corpse
and victim to the bravery Of Bad Hail.
This valorous act raised Bad Hail In the
estimation of the nation, and he sustain
ed his reputation for bravery by killing
several Of their enemies in different war
excursions afterwards.
The Indians in general council ap-
pointed Elm orator for them in all their
general councils, in which capacity he
still acts occasionally, although consid-
erably advanced in years.
Bad Hail hears a good character a
mong the white people and Indians; he
has been to Washington and was orator
for the Sioux Indians in the treaty they
made with government for their lands in
1897. ~
A portrait of Bad Hail, or Wasoo-
we-chas-tash-ne, painted by Sergeant
f. K Thomas Of the 9th Z. S. Infantry,
is now to be seen at the music store of
Mr. Gass in ST. Louis.
Sergeant Thomas is gentleman Of a
fine taste. genius and imagination, and
this painting independently of its being
a good likeness of distinguished living
chief, and orator, Of the Sioux nation of
Indians, is enc Of his first attempts in
the fine arts.
1t is sincerely to be hoped that an en-
lightened public, will smile upon his eff
forts, and encourage him in his attempt
to equal Mr. Catlin, the distinguished
historical painter of the Mandan, and
other tribes Of the American Aborigines.
The portrait of Bad Hail represents
him i'll sitting position, wrapped in a
Buffalo robe, and holding in his hand a
highly ornamented pipe Of peace, the
feathers of the war Eagle. with which
. his head is decorated, indicate three en-
emies slain in battle so
Serl. Thomas is now engaGed in paint
ing another portrait Of Bad Hail (avail-
ing himself of the opportunity afforded
; by the occasional visits of the chief to
the Fort, accompanied by his young son.
In this painting he will include them
both. l
Fl. Smelling. Dec 9Th, le49. bn-
| EDUCO.