Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1871-10-04
Mr. Gr.eler Among the Indians.

No doubt many of our readers viii
be glad to know what he had to SAY
to the Indian tribes in Wisconsin
whom he recently visited, about agri
culture. We, therefore, give a con
densed report of his reception, anC
the big talkee which followed:
The Indians had come in from theil
reservation at Sawance, and com
prised portions of the tribes of Memo
minee, Stockbridge and Oneida, anC
a few PottawattOmies. As Mr.. Greeley
and his party approached the encamp
ment the chiefs of the different tribes
formed themselves into a committee
of reception, and awaited the arrival
of the visitors. AS the carriage stop
ped the chiefs approached and bowed
very low. They were five in number
Pin Feather, Swallow Tail, Red Tail,
White Badger and Gray Fox. The
most intelligent of these savages was
Swallow Tail, chief of the Stock
bridge, and he had been selected to
give the speech of welcome. Mr..
Greely wore his storied white coat
and black felt hat. The latter he
wore on the back of his head. AS he
descended the carriage steps he adj
justed his gold spectacles and took
Swallow Tail by the hand. Cordial
words of greeting and thanks passed
between the Indians and the great
White Chief, as they termed Mr..
Greeley. They at once prepared to
show Mr.. Greeley the encampment
and introduce him to the squaws and
papooses and agricultural products.
At last the time came for the recep-
ton. Swallow Tail gave low pecu-
liar whistle, and instantly the camp
was in an uproar. The young Indians
dropped their pipes and their work,
and hastened to a small clump of
trees a few rods distant. The young
Indian women hastened to join their
dusky brethren. The old women
shouldered their uncomfortable pa
pOoses with their pine boards, and
took them believing to the scene.
The old men tottered forward to hear
what the great pale chief had to say.
The chiefs led the way to the crowd
now assembled, and Mr.. Greeley and
his party followed. Presently Swal-
low Tail gave another low whistle,
and all was bushed. Removing his
hat, Swallow Tail spoke as follows:
BROTHERS OF SAwANEE A great
pale chief has come to see us. He
comes from where the sun rises. He
is more loved than the Great Father,
because he is a much older chief. He
can teach us how to plow and sow, to
plant our corn and our barley, and
be can tel US how to make our ground
rich, and how to make rain when
there is none; and the white men
here with him have told me that one
Of these days he may be our Great
and send US seeds and plows,
and fish-poles and powder, and red
cloth. That is more than our Great
Father does now. He only sends us
IN agent who is a great Scamp, and
steals all our corn, and gives us no.
hing. CShOuts of Ugh! Ugh Skitle
Tau Boopl Brothers, the great pale
chief also makes books, good books, !
md great talks to his people. He |
ellis them all he knows. O-day he |
will have talk with us and tell us
iome good things. He will tell us we /
must not drink fire-water, but must |
'aise corn, lots of corn, and big barley:
md we must build houses and work 4.
lard. will now make room and let 4
he great White Chief talk"
There was no stage or platform, so
'lr. Greeley mounted a cask which
me of the young Indians rolled from
n adjacent lodge. He drew his red
ilk handkerchief, and smiling be-
lignantly upon the grotesque assem-
'lage proceeded to address them. He
aid he did not remember ever before
ddressingan audience of Indians, and
ras pleased at the opportunity of
DING so. Referring to evidences of
heir industry, he suggested that they
hould not confine themselves to the
aising of corn and barley. The speci-
lens of those exhibited to him were
cry creditable, but they must raise
ther things, such as vegetables, and,
possible, must learn to breed sheep
nd get wool to make clothing. Mr..
-reeley then said:
" am told that you sometimes
oke your women to the piow, and |,
nat when they refuse to be so yoked
on don't plow at all this is great ,
listake. You can raise nothing with
Ut plowing, and if you would pros
er well you must plow deep. Your :
omen are not strong enough to draw !
plow as deep as 1t ought to go into !
le earth; your soil should be turned {,
yer from the depth of at least two
ct, and you can never do this with
0ur women; you must get a steam :
ow. Steam is more powerful than :
omen, and [sarcasticallyl it is easier :
manage"
Mr.. Greeley continued speaking for 6
llf an hour, and when he had done, ,
e chiefs advanced and grasped his i
md, thanking him for the good ad- :
ee he had given them, The Indians a
en-, to the number of several hun q
ed, passed by Mr.. Greeley, taking c
5 hand and saying, " "Good-by- f
od-bv." h