The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-06-16

EroursOa The sloun Payment birth Of hoy on the
Frans steele. aud his uospnabie Rscepaoa--im-
prc,.msnl In he Cendisios Of the indiAns--fhs
Lower sioaI-Aslor culsns LAbar o, their No
halt-pesh Of Col Robertson. the Superintendent Of
| the Indian schooss-rhs rayment--A whi,key
| seiler in iambo- Col Abererombte The Malicious
| and Usfouadsd chases asans, m--xrpeau,on 10
| the Isns,oaaaia. 10 Ae.
70 d, siao,, Of IA. r'oass s@a D,aesrus,
LownR Sioux A0EScY,
June 18th, 1889.
take the opportunity Of the return Of the
Frank Steele, which reached here yesterday
with large and gay party Of excursionists,
to give you few items Of occurrence during
her previous trip to this point, with other
matters which may be Of passing interest to
your readers.
On the night Of the % instant, an add
ton was made 10 the census Of Minnesota,
by the birth Ct fne boy. The mother be-
ing among the deck passengers, aud the fact
coming to the ears Of Supt. CULLEN, he with
bis prompt kindness which has won for him
SO many hearts, insisted 10 rcsigning to her
his own state room but the ready care Of
the gallant officers Of the boat prevented the
necessity. The grateful Irish woman, how
ever, with the warm impu's es Of her nation,
declared that she would name her boy after
him. for she knew the Major had an Irish
heart no matter where he was born. Atten.
tive officers and abundant good cheer, made
our trip exceedingly pleasant, until within q
few miles Of tho Agency, when on rounding
a very short reach In the river, flow Of
wind catching us, threw w against sunken
rock. The violent collision startled all, and
threw the ladies into great alarm, We tied
up Immediately. landed the ladies, built
FIRE, aud ret 10 work TO tighten the boat and
find the leaks, The promptness and energy
Of the Captain, seconded with the like spirit
Of his officers, aud the complete dicipIine Of
his crew, acting in perfect order and concert,
soon remedied the mishap, and on the morn
ing Of the 9Th, We reached the agency.
Here, the Improvement in the condition
and behavior Of the Indians, Is strikingly
manifest. The new saw mill IL working
wonders, and beside the dwellings already
erected for them, the materials for some
fifty new buildings are In process Of supply,
for erection TO that extent during the com.
ing season.
The personal condition Of the Lower
Sioux Is greatly improved. During the last
year, their crops were no abundant, ~ 10
largely exceed their own necessities. As an
illustration, one trader alone, bought from
them 1900 bushels Of corn. Some fifteen,
have assumed the costume OF civilization
separated themselves from the rest, and are
diligently blowing and planting-the stock
with which they have been supplied, has
been taken se,lulous care OF, and this year
presents considerable increase. Under the
supervision and care Of farmer Cullen, the
extent OF their fields. has greatly increased
and everything gives promise, that the ex.
pertinent Of civilization, 40 happily begun.
will DO completely successful. Numbers Of
"wbite men," o. these Indian farmers arc
called by their people, will be added 10 the
seperatists this year.
Since last year, the residents of the sgen.
cy, the Government and the indians, have
met alike with an irrepsrsble loss. In the
death Of Col Robertson, the SuperinseDd-
ent of the Indian Schools, bis devotion 10
which, without question, FASTENED bis death.
The Indians crowded his dwelling. and wept
like children and the gloom which Il cast
over the agency II not yet dispelIed. The
ms estic, form:of this cheerful intelligent and
obliging old man, whose hand and heart
were ever open 10 oil, deserving and unde.
serving, seemed part Of everything 1t the
agency. The eye rests nowhere, that his
image does not rise before Il, and II appears
impossible that be will he seen no more. IL
is impossible 10 DO justice 10 bis memory in
the usual language Of eulogy. His literary
requirements were Of no common order, and
bis varied knowledge seemed constantly
yelling from hidden spring, whose aban-
dance was exhaastless /; bis general ibtelIi-
geuce grssped the most complicated subjects
and threw light and order over them. by .
single glance. Ills history, ] do not know,
but be hsd been, in bis youth traveller
10 many lands, and had plainly moved 10 the
highest associations Of each. Ofthis be new.
er spoke. and II only appeared, from bis
manifest personal knowledge Of distinguished
men, when they appeared 70 be the subject
Of conversation. The modesty and elevation
Of bis character, betrayed the highest early
culture. Hhis deportment . . 6nisbed geo
tlesnan, ID a familiar 70 Minnesota, % bis
name fitted by nature 10 iorm, and by
culture 10 accomplishments, for the Courts
Of Princes, be devoted himself, o. true
christian apostle Of civilization, TO the melio-
ration u the coDdition Of the Indian rsce.
Minnesota hes lost one Of ber best citi-
zns, tie Indians their faithful friend. society
cue Of liz roest ornaments, his country q
mos, valuable public servant; his friends .
l.I...l s.x ,.xsS.d conservation s.l H.