Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-09-28
Indian Council ut the White House

THE SIOUX INTERVIEW THk PRESIDENT.
The delegation of Sioux Indians now in this city
representing the Uncpspas, Black Feet, Upper
and over Yancktonisns, headed by j. @
O'Connor, agent OF the Grand river agency, and
Assistant Secretary Cowen, had an interview
with the President at noon to-day. The red men
were s,tired in full Indian costume, with paint
and feathers in abundance, and as each one took
the hand of the President an emphatic gu gh'
was given by way of salutation. The names OF
the chiefs are as follows: Running Antelope.
Two Bears. The Grass, Bears Ribs, Big Head,
Bulls Ghost, Iron Horn, Iron Scare. Walking
Shooter, Thunder Hawk. Sitting Crow, Black
Eye, Mad Bear ard Big Race. They were ac-
companied by Mrs. Gslpin. After they had
shaken hands with the President, he inquired il
there was anything special which they desired to
say 10 him.
"GRAssH DON'T WANT TO BE CROWDED.
"Grass" stepped 10 the front, and through the
interpreter said: al never had ANYTHING against
the white man. You sent for me before, but [
did not like TO come. You sent for me agaiu
and come. Since have seen you have been
pleased. We want room at our reservation. aud
Great Father, and do what he tells us. Our peo-
pie are all working, but are poor"
GOOD ADvICR FROM THE PRESIDENT.
The President inquired as to the nature OF
the land upon which the band is located, AMI
inquired If ANYTHING had been said TO them
about moving them into the Indian country.
Secretary Cowen replied in the Affirmative.
The President then addressing the Indi ans,
said he would like to see them on fertile lands
where 1t would be easy for them to make a living
and when they should be willing to 90 on such
lands the government would send them, and
learn them how tn build houses. Their Young
men especially should be instructed II was for
them to think about. Unless they wanted TO 90
he did not want to make them. They could 90
back 10 their homes now and talk the matter
over this year to their people. If they would
not agree to 60 he would not compel them.
Above all things they should be at peace with
the white people, who outnumber them a great
many times, and if a conflict should come
IT would be much worse for the Indians.
lie did not want to fight them but
protect them and care for them. Above
all things, too, they should have their
young people instructed. The white people
were increasing rapidly, and in a few years it
would be much worse for the Indians than now
Anything they wanted now could be asked o.
the Commissioner of Indian Affairs and Secre-
taTy of the Interior, who would act for him.
what they say Is the same as had said it,
The Indians again gave a satisfactory ugh
ugh!
Grass" said the land of his reservation was
bad, but he was raised in that country and
wanted to stay there. He knew il was not good,
but he wanted to stay on it, and did not want
any white man to come on it. They also wanted
to have MIR. OConnor, their agent, to remain
there.
The President assured them no change should
be made in the agent, and, further, that he did
not want TO force them from the land. He
would do all he could 10 instruct them and pro-
tect them, and hoped their young people would
grow up instructed in all the arts OF civilization