The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-06-05
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
WAsulSGToN, d. c., May 3lst, 1875.

zens generally in strewing the graves of the
soldiers in the different cemeteries with
flowers early in the day. and later by exer-
cises commemorative of the deeds of those
who fell in the defense of the Union. The
Public Buildings were all closed, and we
were the recipients of numerous visitors
from other cities, and our thoroughfares
presented quite an animated appearance.
But as Decoration Day and the scenes and
incidents connected Herewith are among
the past, we have settled down to the usual
quiet of the past few weeks, and the news
market presents quite downward ten
dency, and our pesky Red Skin visitors are
now the only center of attraction. This
being the case, found myself gravitating
toward their camping ground, and through
the kindness Of the hotel clerk he being
an exception to the general run of hotel
attlctions) and one of the interpreters,
had quite lengthy and pleasant interview
with the aforesaid Red Skins. l found
them still unprepared for the second great
talk with the Secretary of the Interior, and
sideration of the Governments proposition.
From present indications, and the dispo-
sition of the Indians, there seems to be no
probability of settlement upon previous
propositions. 1t is now much more than
probable that the entire representation of
the various tribes of the Sioux nation will
insist upon the continued occupation of the
reservation accorded them by the treaty of
1868. They express themselves as willing
ing to live in harmony with the mining ele-
ment that may settle in the Black Hills
country, and those among them who have
some idea of civilization, think that this
will hasten the result. In their secret
council they have refused to accept the
the right to hunt on the Republican Fork.
They claim that they can gather hides
enough in one season to make up the
amount of the appropriation. There are
great many complications brought in by
the Indians not understanding the treaty of
IS, which will have to be settled by a conf
mission in the selection OF which the In
dams claim an equal voice.
They are all quartered at the hotel desig-
mated by the Secretary of the Interior, with
the exception of the rebellious old Conquer
ing Bear. He is still obstinate, and holds
out against the entreates and advice of his
interpreters and dusky comrades by con-
tinuing his quarters at another hotel. More
importauce iS copnected with tho ballicoca
actions of old Conquering Bear than is gen.
orally understood by the Government or
the general public. The history of this
warrior is not only interesting, but at the
same time it furnishes the index to his
present refractory movements. In 1855 a
large caravan of Mormons encamped on the
North Platte near Fort Maramie. A short
distance from them band of the Ogalla-
las, commanded by old Conquering Bear,
the father of our present guest, were camp
ing on one of their buffalo expeditions.
When the Mormons broke camp and moved
on toward their destination, they were a
pair of cattle short On discovering this
party went back in search of them, and
uiSCOfclcu tHC uOltlluS SuIHpLu-
Gus feast over the lost cattle. Upon report
ing the loss to the commanding officer of
the Fort he sent detachment of men I'M
der the command of first lieutenant to
the Indian camp with orders to take the
bodies of the Indians who stole the cattle
and bring them to the post dead or alive.
The detachment started on its mission,
taking with it twelve pound field piece
loaded with grape and canister. Arriv-
ing at the camp just before shutdown, they
demanded of old Conquering Bear the per-
sons of the criminals. The old warrior
refused. The officer in command gave him
ten minutes to consider the demand, at the
expiration of which time, if it was not
complied with he told them that he would
fire on the camp. He told the officer if he
commenced hostilities the result would be
terrible. Eight minutes passed, and still
the old warrior refused to give up the cul.
prts. At the expiration of the ten min
utes, shot of grape and canister was
fred into the camp and old Conquerng
Bear fell to the ground mortally wounded.
Instantly his son, our rebellious guest,
sent up the wild war cry of the Ogallalas,
and in one-half hour after the shot was
fired, not single man of the detachment
was left to tell the tale.
Conquerng Bear, Jr., became famous;
his popularity spread through the northern
tribes He was called the great deliverer
and mighty paleface slayer; all the young
warriors looked up to him as their supreme
leader, and the old men considered him
something more than immortal.
1t was while he was enjoying this great
distinction and wide spread popularity that
the Government stepped in and withered
some of his laurels by recognizing Red
Cloud as head of the tribe; since then he
has been jealous of this chieftain, and any
distinction shown to Red Cloud on the part
of the Government, increases his jealousy
and embitters his feelings. He came here
he says, expecting to be recognized by the
Government as one of the leading chiefs of
the Ogallalas; instead of this he thinks |
they have treated him like dog, entirely
ignoring his wishes and looking upon him
as playing the second fiddle to Red Cloud.
These are the old mans grievances, and |
he refuses to hold any communication with |
the authorities or to meet in council with |
the other chiefs, and says when he returns
home to his people he will lay the matter
before the young men, and if they say so,
he will thrash the United States before the |
t,,-fL Of V,.l,y l.
Centennial j. H. P
eB The May number of the american
Journal Of Phonography discusses the i'm
portance of photographed reform, in which
it gives Senator Andrew Johnson's views
on the subject; plan for revised spelling;
specimen of phonetic print, &c. This
Journal is devoted to the interests of |
''Phonic Shorthand - and phonetic spell
ling. Published by Burns & Co., SO Park
Row, N. Y.