The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1851-09-16
From Minnesota-IndIans. NJ

Hon. Elisha Ely, of this place. who has just
returned from trip 'out West gives a most
fattering account of this newly occupied terri
tory. The air is pure and bracng, and the soil
most productive as we'll as easily titled. The
Judge was at ST Anthony during the pending
OF the negotiations with the Indians. Those
negotiations have terminated in the execution
of a treaty by which the title to the lands pas
ses TO the United States. It is expected that
new impulse will be given to the settlement
of this interesting ion of our widening coun-
try a.e..ts
Our readers are probably aware the frequent
showers with which we have been visited du-
ring the season. have been but scattering out
side drops of the continuous tempest which
has been pouring down upon the NORTHWESTERN
country. The Indians have great fear Of
thunder, and the region of the treaty ground is
described by the Editor OF the Pioneer as tho
pivot of tempests.' Rain and storms were fire.
quent and terrible. The Indians in the camp
were very much exercised upon the subject,
and finally resolved TO take the weather in hand.
They followed the example of the white men.
who in all emorgences, call a meeting, and
make or hear speeches The following admir-
able speech was made by Walkin Thunder. and
indicates the andidote which he proposed for
their meteorological grievances.
This high water is unusual. The Great
Spirit does not smile. He growls at u.s.
Something does not suit him. Our corn fields,
where are theyl Our young men cannot hunt
The powder in our rifles is wet. 1t will not
burn. Wekill no game; nothing. Our Great
Father gives us little beef and little corn
since we come to the treaty. But we are poor
very poor. Our ribs may be counted like the
poles of lodge frame, through the skin. Corn
will not grow without sunshine, and If we have
nothing to eat we must starve. Our horses are
thin. We thought they could run some; but
even Shasta Wasta's (Mr. Tyler's) horse can
outrun our buffalo nag. Our dogs are lean.
They are too poor to bark. They howl a little
sometimes, but very feebly. We are glad our
Father came up here with little corn and a
little beef, and it may be few slices Of pork for
us to eat. We were very hungry. and we are
vet. The Red Man is always hungry. The
white young men are fat. They look very
sleek and greasy. The reason is that the
Great Spirit gives them more food. We do
not like so much rain; it is more than thore is
any use of. [Ho ho!] Our tents are soaked
with water. 1t pains us to have our women
We cannot bear it. 1t may be the steamboats,
drive this food up the river when they came.
The boats brought up little beef, and 1t may
be slice of pork. They are welcome. lilo!
no II Our lodges are peaked, our Great fathers
tents are not peaked; the Great Spirit rains on
both. But there is too much thunder and rain
and sharp lightning. We want more beef and
less thunder. They say the Great Thunder
Bird has dashed his wing against the head of
the Blue Earth river and broken open foun-
tain. ont of which this freshet comes. 1t was
whispered to me in a dream, that we ought to
have round dance this afternoon, lIo! no! ho.]
1t may save us much thunder. lightning, and
rain. If our Great Father wants to buy our
land, we viii talk WIZ. 49, r--r:-
time. Our Great Father has several cattle
left yet. There is no hurry. Beef good for
the Red Man; but cookoosh (pork) is not very.
flour Great Fathers children think so much of
cookoosk. why do they not eat it instead of beef
Probably, because like whskey, they think
beef is not wholesome for us. [Ho! no! ho!1
We will attend the round dance this afternoon.
and try to allay the storm and appease the Evil
Spirit. The wing of the Thunder Bird must
be broken. III AlIegan Record, Aug. 10,