The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-04
What ThurlOw Weed Knows About
Father De Smet.
"A Sketch of the Great Mis-
sionary.
amusing anecdotes Of Indian Life--HOW to
Pay the National Debt.


throughout xhis city. Father De Smet the cele-
DRAFTED indian missionary, from whom General
Sheridan derived his first information about the
gold mountain supposed to exist IN the Black
Bnls, was well known In this city by the Fathers
OF 81. Francs Xaviers College, in West Fifteenth
street, and by some Of the most distinguished
residents OF New York. General Sheridan now pro-
poses to send an expedition into the auriierous
sectien OF that UNEMPLOYED country, In order that
the truth OF Father De Smet's story may be
tested. This story. as told by General Snerldan's
letter, was that while living with the Sioux In
dams he was shown by them nuggets OF gold,
which they informed him had been obtained
nt different points in the Black BILLS, sup
posed to be from the beds OF the Big
Horn, Rosebud and Powder rivers and from
branches OF the rivers and on his that
such yellow metal was or great value they told
him that they knew where mountain OF IL was
20 be found Subsequent investigation, however,
proved the Indian mountain or gold was nothing
more ,nan the formation or yellow mica, such as
may be found In a number OF places In the above
described country In view OF this approaching
expedition 1t becomes OF great interest to know
she career ana character OF the man who gave
General Sheridan this astounding piece OF intelli-
gence. Probably his most intimate friend In this
city was that venerable republican, Tnurlow
Weed He travelled with the famous missionary
sketch OF the life OF Father De smet ian outline OF
whicn Is here gven) is derived nom Information
KINDLY furnished by him.
EARLY PARTS OF MS CAREER
Father p. J. De Smet OF the Society OF Jesus,
was born at Client, Belgium. He has descended
from q distinguished and wealthy Belgian family.
In after life ne used TO say that 1t was his school,
day readings OF the exploits OF the French
Canadian missionaries among the Western
Indians, In the middle OF the eighteenth
century, which inspired him with a desire
10 live among the aborgines OF America
He was educated for the priesthood, and alter
having been ordained came to America in 1884.
He was then quite young man, being about
twenty-five years old. Acting under the instruc-
lions OF the Jesuit College at Brussels he proceeded
immediately to the district then occupied by the
Blackfeet Indians, beyond the Rocky Noun taIns.
His first missionary labors were among that
tribe. He was imbued with the most ardent
desire to teach the Indians, not only che Christian
religion, but also civilized habits and TO introduce
agricultural pursuits among these rowing savages.
In this endeavor he partially succeeded. As soon
rs he had established the nucleus OF permanent
settlement he Immediately founded school for the
instruction OF children. Thus he went on Tor years
Reaching these Indians In O country Tar beyond
She confines OF civilization, being frequently inter-
Kupted, however, by the wars between the various
hostile tribes. During these intervals Of teaching
he became the tireless apostle or peace. inducing
the hostile chiefs to meet in friendly council and
frequently succeeding in re-estabnshing concord.
In one or these wars between the Blackeet and
Sioux tribes, which was characterized bY especial
Jury n undoubtedly was the means OF saving a
large number OF iives. -------
THE POWER OF THE CROSS.
Gradually ne extended mis- labors TO other tribes,
and induced several to adopt some q the primary
habits OF civilizaton-to plant corn Tor instance,
and to build cabins. After eight years. incessant
struggling he became convinced that assistance
was needed TO carry on this vast work success
fully, and started for home. But he was 1000
miles from the borders OF civilization. and made
the greater part OF the journey on loot guided
only by pocket compass and tue "runners,n
which all the Indian tribes gave him for
guides Speaking or shat time, Father De
smet used 10 tell Mr.. Weed that he
never came across an Indian tribe SO rude
or harbarous that it did not possess some
vague and indefinite ideas OF religion md OF a
divine, supernatural power II was also remark
able that q large cross which he wore over his
black gown would always protect him even when
ne passed from one hostile tribe to another. lie
felt convinced. he said. that he had gone with
out TINS cross ne would have been scalped at
once.
THE HoMEwARD JOURNEY.
II was In 1862 when the missionary started from
Kew York for Europe. ON the ship on winch he
embarked we're also Bishop Hughes and Mr.. Thur
low Weed. But this part OF Father De Smet's hts
tory Is told far In the language OF Mr.. Weed,
forming, as IL does. an interesting reminis-
cence OF his long and eventiul life SCI
was going TO Europe In 1S62,n Mr.. Weed
relates, land asked my friend, Bishop
Hughes to give me some letters OF introduction.
He promised them willingly, and said would ind
them on board. When | went on board l found
there Bishop Hughes himself and In his company
Father De Smer Bishop Hughes had already en-
gagged passage In another ship although had no
linking OF his intention to 90 to Europe), but had
changed his plans bear me company. IL was
during this voyage or twenty-seven DAYS that
Father De smet told me all know about his life
among the Indians. He was a charming man, OF
fhe most delightful powers or conversation aud
remarkably progressing, indeed mob appear
ance He told us some curious anecdotes or his
Indian lie, which stiIi remember vividly.n
ANECDOTES OF INDIAN LIFE.
Two OF these anecdotes as told BY Mr. Weed,
are very amusing. tribe In whose midst be had
long labored gave z feast IN honor OF the revered
missionary. IL was rather direrent from the din
ner parties that frequently given in tnis city
An honor OF distinguished guests, bIt might stilI
be called q banquet. The principal dish served
was q dog stew "a least or dogs being considered
she highest honor that could be offered even TO a
cnIeO. The chiefs were seated round q rude
board and the squaw OF the principal chief passed
che savory dish from guest to guest. Father De
Smee sat beside the host, and wnen the latter had
helped himself with the huge wooden spoon the
squaw passed the dish to him; but before dong
10, and as q special mark Of respect, she nckeo It
clean until il was shining, and then handed Il 70
him with her pleasantest grin.
THE HIBBRNIAF INDIAN.
Anotner anecdote told TO Mr.. Weed ~ the mis-
nionaKy introduces us to new KIND Of indian
cnieftain. the HIDernian Indian. A fierce war had
been raging between two tribes when the mis-
slonary mad succeeded IN bringing the chiefs oil
both together IN friendly council They we're
ettlng together solemnly, all or them smoking,