The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1877-10-10
INDIAN CHIEFS At WASHINGTON.

A Washington correspondent, speak.
ing of the recent visit of the Sioux In
dian chiefs, Red Cloud and Spotted Tail,
to the national capital, says: 1 well
remember the visit in 1870 OF these very
self-same chiefs. A new idea struck the
folks in power at the time. 1t was de-
termined to give Tie chiefs grand re-
ception at the White House. The mein-
bers of the diplomatic corps, with the
ladies and their families, were invited by
President Grant to participate in the
festivities. They accepted and went in
full official uniform, while the ladies
were attired in evening party dress.
The cabinet officers wore swallow-tails
and white vests, while l never saw the
administrative ladies dressed 80 exquis-
itely, Mrs. Grant, Mrs. Fish and Mrs.
Belknap, particularly. Gen. Horace
Porter and Gen. Porter were the mas
ters of ceremonies. Miss Nellie Grant
was the Queen of Beauty, and was
dressed for the character. The East
Room was fully lighted up. The Green,
Blue, and Red Rooms were decorated
with flowers, evergreens and bouquets.
The State Dining-room was turned into
banquet hall, the refreshments, con-
sisting of all kinds of fruits, wines,
liquors, creams, coffee, tea, cold meats,
salads, etc. At seven o'clock the Diplo-
matte Corps, with their ladies, had ar
rived, as had also the Cabinet, their
spouses and daughters.
When the President and Mrs. Grant en-
tered the East Room the scene was brilliant
indeed. 1t was indeed, brilliantly grand.
There was the million-and-one colors of
the coats and breeches of the Diplomats,
with their innumerable medals and dec
orations, and the very neat and tasteful
plain evening dress of the American Of
fcials. 1 never saw General Grant
dressed more neatly, or look more
pleased. The Marine Band, III all the
glory of their red coats, discoursed beau
tiful music in the large auditorium, next
the East Room. Suddenly the coaches
rolled up to the porch doors, and there
emptied their living freight of painted
Indian chiefs. They waved no clubs,
and carried not the tomahawk nor tho
rife. 1t was warm evening, and the
| big chiefs came i'll their thickest blankets.
1t is surprising that these aborginals
wear their heaviest clothes in the most
sultry weather. As they entered the
auditorium, the band played Hail to
the Chiefs" there being some dozen or
more of them. After getting iu order,
they were marched into the East room
Babcock and Porter leading the way
the band playing "Here We Come,
10000 More"
These Sioux, Ogalalies, Cheyennes,
and what not, were ranged on the side
of the East Room next the dressing de-
partment. The principal interpreter
offered his arm to Mrs. Grant, and then
passed down the line, shaking hands
with each chief. President Grant fol-
lowed, with Mrs. Fish on his arm. Then
the cabinet officers, and ladies. Then
Sir E. Thornton, the British minister
and his wife, and so on, until every lady
and gentleman in the room had shaken
the hand of every one of the dusky sons
of the forest. Spotted Tail was then,
as he will be now, the principal chief.
He took notion to wear high black
hat, and wore it during the entire even
ing. After the Hand shake and some
small talk was over, the civilized portion
of the assemblage were ranged on one
side of the room, and the original own
ers of this fertile soil stood in solid
phalanx on the opposite side. The band
played-"We Are All as jolly as Bees
Can Be-" and during the rendition OF
this beautiful and appropriate air, the
civilized and Christian side of the house
kept bowling to the big Indian side, while
they, wrapped in their blankets. salaameG
to the very ground. After this became
somewhat monotonous, both sides broke
rank, and general comingling and in
terchange of sentiment ensued. Laugh
ing, talking, and promenading followed
in quick succession. At ten P. NJ, thu
doors leading to the Red, Blue and Greer
Rooms were thrown open, and the dis
tinguished party moved slowly but sure
ly towards the State Dining-room. On,
of the features just here presented wal
the refreshing and odd sight of seeing
Mrs. President Grant escort Spotte
Tail to the seat at the table and take
chair beside him, while the tall an
queenly form of Mrs. Minister Thornton
sandwiched the old scamp on the othe
, side. Mrs Fish, with her ever smilin
, face, her lovely white curls, and her ez
quisite toilette, chaperoned Hole-in-the
Sky, and so it went on until ever
chief had two or more of the ladies wal
ing upon him at the table. saw Mrs
Fish, during the entertainment, holdin
a plate of ice cream and Strawberries
while Fly-away-Home crammed thel
down his ugly throat, using a sou
. spoon as the mediator. They ate an
drank, and drank and ate-and especial
:, did they drink SO much so that all IL
!. liquors had to be taken out of their wa,
q Bulls Horns got so much fire-wat'
! within him that he demanded to ha'
: Mrs. Bellsnap as his squaw, while Stea
all-the- Horses insisted on dancing ii
lnazurka with Mrs. Boutwell, (the sta
wife of Mr.. Boutwell,, who never danc'
dance in the whole course of her lii
a Those of the chiefs who got too mu'
+. fire-water we're hustled out Of q side do