The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-12-20

FATHER DE SMEr AND THE INDIANs-The
st. Louis Repm5icaa Of a late date thus refers
to this self-denying missionary, who left this
country lately for Europe; but who contem-
plates returning next March, to resume his
labor of love among his beloved Indians: ~
1t is his purpose to join Gen. Harvey, who is
now engaged in concentrating the Upper Mis-
souri, River Indians on the new reservation,
selected by the government above the river
Niobrari, which extends north to the 10th par
allel westward from the Missouri River to the
104th meridian, i'll the Black Hill region Gen.
Harvey has commenced the nucleus of colony
on the Grand River, near the old Kee Village,
and he writes that matters are progressing
quite favorably. Already several bands Of
Sioux, including portion of the Upper Yanck-
comfortably housed, and eventually initiated
into the mysteries of agriculture.
Gen. Stanly, in command of Fort Sully, also
writes that the Indians are peaceable, and but
very little stock has been stolen the present
season. The willingness of many of the North
ern bands to forsake their nomadic habits and
come into the Reservation, when taken in con.
nectiOn with the statement by telegraph, that
Red Cloud, the leader of the hostile Powder
River Indians, has come in and signed atreaty,
tinuance of peace in the Sioux country. Every
precaution should therefore be taken to prevent
the Cheyennes, Arrapahoee and other Arkansas
River Indians, who are now being chased by
u,
sending emiss aries among the NorthernItribes
to excite them to hostilities. Gen. Harvey is
urgent in his request to Father De Smet to
come on Immediately and commence his mission
ary operations. He saysthe chiefs, who have
been told that the g Black Gown is coming,
are anxious to learn when he will arrive. Fa-
Their De Smet> has returned an answer that it
would be impossible to alter his present ar
engagements, but that, God sparing his life, he
will be among the Indians in March next. He
intends taking up with him number ofartisans
and farmers, to assist in carrying out the plan
for civilizing the Indians and rendering them
self-supporting.
The number of Indians embraced in the
Northern tribes, which it is hoped will be in
duced to settle on the Reservation is about
forty thousand. From this number it will be
seen that great amount of-missionary and
other work will be required to bring them into
subsection and good conduct.
consumate knowledge of Indian character
possessed by Father De Smet, and acquired by
him since he first set out missionary from
Tremonde, in Belgium, in 1921, it will he con-
coded that Gen. Harvey will have Almost useful
auxiliary in the work that Government expects
him to accomplish in inaugurating and putting
in operation the civilization of the Indians
Father DE Smet has crossed the ocean seven
teen times, and the Pacific three times. During
the course ofhis peregrinatons he travelled by
land and water over two hundred thousand
miles, encountering priyations and dangers and
now, at the age of about siNty-eight, he seems
Jealous as when in his prime, in performing
the special work that Providence seems to
have designed for him May he have prosper
GUS voyage and safe return.