The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-06-26
The WInnebagO Chief.

Recent events at Washing ton and Gin
ciunati. the surrender of the GRANT Adj
Illustration to tho CAMERoNs, and the
nomination of HAYES by the Pennsylvania
Ring delegation, bring the elder CAMERON
into view rs the leading and controlling
spirit OF the Republican campaign. The
President In Office is his, and the candi-
date presented by the party Is his, by
even u stronger title. Nobody pretends to
doubt that the only substantial triumphs
achieved in the late Republican Convention
were those OF Dos. CAMERON, the son of
SIMON. and the new Secretary of War.
From President to tide waiter the whole
Administration Is in spasm OF gratitude
to him for this great service, and the Adj
ministration that expects to come in with
HAYES is penetrated by n thrill of affec-
Tomato admiration for the young Winnie
bago chief who laid that beautiful am
bush for BLAINE and his exulting band.
Innsmuch, therefore, as II seems pretty
certain that in case of HAYES's election
the CAMERoNs are to rule the country in
his name, the career and character OF Sem
ator SIMON are not the least important
matters for popular consideration. We
viii begin by relating briefly one of the
earliest adventures of this venerable ma
rauder-tho one whereby he acquired the
proud title Of the winnebago chief"
In July, 1888, SIMON was appointed-no-
body now knows how-"a Commissioner
to examine claims of half-breed relatives
of the Winnebngo Indians, and debts due
by the same Indians, for the payment OF
which provision was made III the treaty
concluded with them on the 1st of Novem-
Der, 1881" The other Commissioner was
one JAMES MURRAY OF Maryland. He was
nohody-n hypochondriac, irritable, timid,
retiring, and easily overborne or manip-
ulated. SIMON was the commission; and
having made up his mind from the begin
ming to be the commission, he INDUCED
without restraint that thrifty disposition
for which he has since become famous, and
made ample preparations before he left
home for baggng greater part OF the
bounty which the Government intended
for the Indians. He selected for the deli
cate service he had in view one ID. NJ. BRoD-
HEAD, and giving into his custody car
pet bag stuffed with notes of the Middle
town Bank, of which SIMON was then cash
Ter, the two set out for the scene of action
at Prairie du Chen. They arrived about
the 10Th Of August, and regarding the no.
BILE red man aud all his half-breed relatives
as lawful prey, they were soon driving a
brisk and profitable trade in the "claims"
which SIMON was TO settle.
SIMoN's duties under tho treaty and his
instructions from the department were,
| a. to ascertain the Just debts" of the
Winnebago Indians interested ia the lands
| ceded mt the time of the treaty. and make
n pro rata dividend to the creditors rs far
as the fund would reach ana (2) to divide
n round Sl00, 900 among the half-breed rel
atives. The creditors were to be paid by
the Department. upon creditors draft,
with the commissions certificate of djud-
cation attached. But the money for the
half-breeds was forwarded TO Major E. A.
HITCHCOCK, Military Disbursing Agent, ut
ST. Louis, and by him sent to Prairie Du
Chlen 10 be paid out on the order of the
Commissioners. But the sequel will sho W
that this latter arrangement did not suit
SIMON, and the money was returned TO
Mnjor IIITcHcocK, and drawn against by
the commission.
SIMON speedily disposed Of the first class
of duties confded to him, viz: The alleged
debts of the Winnebagoes. Wherever
BRopHEAD could buy II supposed credi-
tors claim at y heavy shave, be did so; and
where he could not buy, he bullied the
creditor into employing him Tvs an attor'
ney to present it, representing that unlosi
he was employed the claim would certain
" be rejected. These arrangements com
| ,,la ha tra1 n
BRoDHEADs overshadowng and protect
ing wing, and resolved that some Winnie
bago unmentoned owed each one OF then
a certain sum. This was altogether salts
factory TO SIMON, and he freely granted
the certificates of the commission on tn
strength of these resolutions. II was no
considered worth while TO ascertain tn
name of the debtor. No items were re
quired. No books notes, memoranda, o
7, other evidence of indebtedness were de
minded by this liberal minded commits
sion The claim would be stated thus;
"The winncbago Nation OF indians to - DR. 7
amount due for )sses ON gooaS sold from - 1910
| ---, 1887 -"
! And this was quite sufficient for SIMON
D His broad, judicial mind would not stool
5 to trilng details; and BRoDHEAD, sta NJ
ing there M advocate, with his pocket
o stuffed with assignments and contracts 10
g collection, speedily cleared up every dout
y respecting the validity of these singula
+ accounts.
v The division of the 500, 900 among II
: half-brecd relatives was conducted in
10 manner even more shameless than thi
# SIMON made an arbitrary division Of the
o into three classes Those for who
2 BRoDHEAD appeared were put in Il
T.? hrst-clnss, and received tho largest div
u dcnd. Those for whom LOCKWOOD or DAN
MAN-certain confederates OF BRoDHEA
# appeared, were put in the second; al
v. those who came with their simple lit
j. case. and no attorney but tho membe