Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-11-09
A "REMINISCENCES.

THERE was an interesting though
unimportant scene in the life of Abra
ham Lincoln, of which [ was an eye
witness, 1t was on the occasion of
the visit of about twenty Indian chiefs
to the Executive Mansion, delegated
by their respective tribes to treat per-
sonally with the Great Father in the
adjustment of their affairs. They
were habited in their attire of feathers
and paint, and each one was impressed
with the greatness of the occasion,
the most eyentful, probably, Of their
lives. Their interpreter placed them
in the form ef a crescent in the
spacious East room, on the floor, as
they would have been i'll at ease on
chairs. Thus they sat on the carpet
in decorous silence and waited the ar
rival of the Chief Magistrate.
A number of people had been in
yited to be present at the interview,
among whom were officers civil and
military and foreign diplomates, &C
companied by their wives in fashion
able toilet. Several of the latter,
whose feet had not long left the
asphalt Of the BOuleyards of Paris,
looked ON the copper-cOlOred men
two or three using eyeglasses
peculiar interest; the objects of it,
however, sat under the close observa-
tion with calm dignity, as calm as if
they had been in the habit of sitting
amidst the gaudy splendors of an East
room, and Of being looked upon, every
day, by distinguished men and hand
some women; the absence of any
manifestation of surprise being
characteristic of Indian nature.
At length Abraham Lincoln came
into the room and stood before the
dusky crescent, while group Of we'll
known men gathered behind him, to
hear what was about to take place,
space being made by ushers about the
chiefs, the President and the imme-
diate group behind him. The inter
prefer occupied place near Lincoln,
to turn the aboriginal. language into
English as it fell from the lip. The
ceremony began, by personal presen-
tation of each chief to the Great
Father, each one going up to the pow
erfuI white chief and shaking hands
not extending the hand after the eau
casian manner. but holding it high and
dropping it softly into the Presidential
palm. The names were furnished as
they came forward by the interpreter
White Bear, Big Wolf, Red Fox, and
SO on.
The face Of Lincoln was plainly seen
by most of the people present, for it
was higher than that of any other.
When he came into the room it was, as
usual, pale and tinged with sadness,
which was its principal characteristic
in repose. He folded his hands before
him, and stood rather awkwardly as he
waited for the interview to begin
After making his compliments and
shaking hands, each Indian returned
to his seat on the carpet III
the crescent of his brethren,
When all had performed the
ceremony, each one in turn made his
speech TO the President, standing up
for the purpose, and sitting down
when done, in parliamentary fashion,
probably through instructions from
the interpreter. The first one who
essayed to talk grew nervous, and in a
hurried way asked for a chair in the
spirit of wrecked mariner who seeks
for plank. When it was furnished
him, he took his seat and resumed the
entangled thread of his discourse. AS
this tritiing incident took place, asmile
passed over the faces of the spectators
and was reflected in that of Lincoln
This smile, indeed. deepened into al
audible laugh IL the rear: but wher
the ear Of the President caught it his
face Immediately Strengthened into
seriousness and sympathy with the