Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-08-15


Return of Gen. Rosser Com
missioner Sufh.-Visn TO Fort Abraham
LincOln.-TdK trith the Indians .-Grdnd
poi1-iroU or War Dance.
Editor Free Press and Times:
BIsxARK, d. T., Aug. 3, 1873.
An excursion party of railroad officials
from New York. Washington and Phlladel-
phia, all more or less interested in the
Northern Pacific Railroad, made visit to
this place yesterday for the purpose OF
seeing the country, examining the road, etc.
At this place they met Gen. Rosser, chief
engineer of the Dakota division surveys, who
had lust returned from the Yellowstone
expedition. Gen. Rosser started with the
Yellowstone party at this place, located the
line to the mouth of Glendire Creek, yell
lowstone River, distance of 225 miles
from here, directly west. He returned by the
steamer which had been to carry supplies
to that point, and left the party in charge
of Mr.. Eckelson to explore to Bosemon pass,
some three hundred miles west of the Vel
lowstone crossing. He reports every thing
favorable. the alignment good, tine grades
easy and coal in abundance.
Among the exeursionists was the new
Indian Commissioner, Mr.. Smith OF Minnie
sofa who came out to hold q conference
with the Indians. This was done to save
the trouble and expense of transporting
them to Washington. This morning all
crossed the river to Fort 4 braham Lincoln,
which is situated directly opposite, on the
high bluffs in most commanding position
and beautiful location The Indians we're
ready to meet Mr.. Smith and had come
down the river in the steamer Western
from Fort Birthhold, which is their home
and has been for many years. Birthhold Is an
old trading post where the Indians ex-
change furs for beads and trinkets OF
various kinds, and is about $50 miles up the
river from here. Three nations were repre-
sented at the conference, namely, Mandans,
Rees and Gros-ventres, numbering in all
twenty-one chiefs and head warriors. Crow
breast was chief of the ,Gros-yentres, Son OF
the Star chiefof the Rees, and Bodgon chief
of the Mandans. Each chief in turn made
4 speech. told his troubles and had long
talk with Mr.. Smith. This, Of course
was all done through an interpreter.
After the chiefs had finished, some of the
warriors spoke. Seldom is more genuine
eloquenee displayed than by these unciyiliz-
ell red men. All spoke very decidedly and
earnestly. All wanted to 90 to Washing
ton and see the Great Father and tell him
their troubles. When the Commissioner
told them that they could not, they were
greatly enraged. They said the white man
had driven them out Of their country, driven
off their game, and now they must starve
unless taken care of. They said the Great
Father sends them food, blankets and am
mention, but the Indian agents steal 1t all
from them-irhich IS all too true. They want
ed to know why the white men did not kill
them all at once, and not a little at time
as they were doing now. The head warrior,
Hawk by name, of the Mandan nation at last
got up, and in a very excited and angry
mood told the Commissioner he did not
amount 20 anything, that he was liar and
thief he said he was going to speak If they
put him in the guard house or killed him and
50 he did speak in the most abusive manner.
He said he knew that he had got TO do as
the whites said; he knew that very well, and
knew that their soldiers could kill them all
| in n short time. The Commissioner at last
sand he would come in fifty days, and take
four from each nation to see the Great
Father in Washington, and 50 they parted.
This evening all came over to Bismark
for a grand pow-wow or war-dance. All
were arrayed in their genuine Indian COS
tune. which is made of jeer-skin or noun
tain sheep-skin, all highly ornamented with
porcupine quilts of all colors; and jewelry OF
all kinds Is dangling from their ears, cheeks
and chins This jewelry consists of rings,
| bells, and almost everything imaginable.
| The number of feathers in their heads IN
| dicates the number of sealps taken from
| the enemy the number of red sticks dang
| ling from the hair indicates the number OF
times wounded. The pow-wow was grand
success, building IOO125 feet being liter
ally packed with spectators. The admis-
sion fee was fifty cents, and the proceeds
went to the Indians
The form of dancing and the shouting !
will not attempt to describe, as it would be
utterly impossible. Let ali who wish to see
it come TO Bismark, where there is grand
opportunity to do 50. X. NJ. ID.