The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1877-12-07

81. Louis Globe Democrat.
Abbot Martin, Superior Of the Mon
astcry in Spencer county, Ind, has been
sojourning la st. Louis for the lasti few
days, and to reporter of the Globe
Democrat, who met him, gave an inter-
esting account of his recent travels
through the wilds Of the Northwest.
The Abbot. IL may be stated, is one Of
the most distinguished men Of bis order
in the United States, and II the Gov
ernor of twenty-five priests, who make
their home at the Indiana Monastery
when not away engaged in Catholic mis-
sions under his directions. Though still
comparatively a young man, being un-
der forty-two, he Is noted for his great
learning, and for the enterprise with
which he has, in the face Of imminent
danger, penetrated the unbrokcn wilder
mess in his work Of spreading the Gospel
among untutored savages. His expert
cnce has been mainly with the Sioux
and other wild tribes that inhabit the
Northwest, and he speaks the Sioux
language with considerable fucncy.
When the Custer massacre occurred he
was at Standing Rock Agency. Speak
ling OF this tragic event, Abbot Martin
said It's history had never been truth
fully written, aud he characterized GER
tain recent accounts alleged to have
been related by Sitting Bull as mere
Fiction, fabricated by correspondents Of
Ian imaginative and poetic temperament.
lie knew these accounts TO be without
foundation in fact, because he had him
self been in Sitting Bulls camp eight
ldays, and heard from his own lips, and
those Of many other warriors, the hor-
lribIc story OF that human slaughter. In
July he left Standingiliock and Travelled
| in the direction Of Fort Peck, with a
view Of finding Sitting Bull and per-
lsuading him TO surrender. Al that time
| il had not been suggested that the hostile
Sioux would cross over 10 British soil.
but when Abbot Martin arrived at Fort
Peck. the information was received that
Sitting Bull was already on the other
side ol ihe border
THE ABBOT
resolved 10 pursue his mission in spite
of this fact and obtaining Government
permit allowing him to undertake the
journey, he set out with eight Sioux
braves as an escort. together with q
white guide. who had been scout for
General Miles. The trip was made in
safety. and without cycntful incidents
When within sixty or seventy miles OF
Sitting Bulls camp, immense drovcs OF
buffalo were reached, aud for five DAYS
The party travelled through country
ltiat was literally covered with immense
herds Of these animals. Arriving with
lin few miles OF the camp. an Indian
courier was sent ahead 10 apprise Sit
lting Bull Of bis approach Sitting Bull
himself at the head of one hundred
mounted warriors came out 10 meet him,
singing songs OF gladness and welcome.
lie was escorted to the camp and as
signed 10 4 comfortable tent. all the men
land women coming forth to give him
lwecomc. The Indians had no food but
buffalo meat. This they broiled on
Goals or stcwcd IN pots, eating II with.
lout salt, aud in spite OF ihc fact that
there was neither bread nor vegetables
in the camp the health Of the band wa.
, remarkably good. The Abbot state.
that though none Of the Sioux are be.
levers il the Christian religion, they
never fail 10 protect the Catholic priest
Ills long gown Of black being a guaran
tee OF safety under any and all circum
} stances. Though they are not Christian,
lthey DO not object TO Christian services
land shortly after his arrival. the Abbo
indicated desire 10 perform mass. bu
rs no table could be procured. and tim
her so scarce that none could be con
Istructcd, aud as mass could not be- giver
without an altar, the idea was aban
Idoncd.
SITTING NULL SAID
Ito him: "Iou come from America, bu
then you are priest and welcome. Tn,
lpricst harms no man, and we will Civ,
lhim food and protection, and listen /,
his words" When Abbot Martin sc
Tout TO find Sitting Bull his object wa
to persuade him 10 return to American
soil aud occupy reservation, where h
would have an abundance Of food an,
Iclothing, and the facilities for bein,
lChristianizcd and educated into civil
lizcd ways. He had an idea that th
sioux had fled TO cold. barren. inhos
Ipitablc region, where inclemcnt weathe
land want or food would soon decimat
them to fearful extent, ii not cxtcrmi
nalc them. " was mainly for this rca
\ lson that he was induced 10 search 10
Them ia the wilderness and induce thcr
! Ito return to their old home and submi
themselves 10 the American Govern
mcnt. But when he saw the magnif
ccnt country along the border, wavin
with rich grass, over which the butlal
). .roamcd undisturbcd and in counties
GrsI