Bismarck tri-weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1875-1881, 1877-11-23

his departure as an omen. Now he
ciings to the interpreter, who is an old
neigEtor and life long friend, ana says
he will keep going As long as the inter
prefer says-even to the end of the wide
world.
He has been told that he would see
Miles in St Paul, and that fact cheers
HIM, as he thinks the General is man
after his own heart. His people gener-
ally don't take to the move but acquiesce
If the new country is good one and
their return to their home in the spring
probable.
JosEPH's EXCUSE
for going to war is much like the white
mans: when he is bossed around and
told to qui: his country and take to an
other. He sums up by saying that he
was cheated, that the soldiers came into
his country and undertook to drive him
upon reservation that he had never ac-
cepted, that he loved his own country as
he loved his mother, and that he was
driven to the war path. He was told he
must go on the reservation, and he
thought there was no other alternative
but fight. His grievances eliminated
and he resisted. He says. II did just
what you would have DONE" He re-
ports that Howard, in their councils,
showed his empty sleeve; said he was
mighty big chief in that land and his
command to go to the reservation must
be obeyed and no questions asked. How
ards harshness and determination cut
him to the heart as a sharp knife.
At the battle with Miles he says ne
was unfortunate i'll having 60 Of his war
riors cut off. They were out after the
stock and instead ofreturning they drove
1t further otf than the soldiers intended
they should. He considers their non
Return as desertisn and if he ever sees
them he will tell them they didn't do
right. y white chief wodId give them
''hell.= Otherwise Joseph claims he
could have escaped-moving his women
and children off in the night and the
warriors following in the daylight on the
gallcp. lie was net retreatlng for the
river country, where he thought he could
hold his own against the army Of the U.
s. and have plenty of game to lIv: On.
! CSEPi S RELIGIOUS VIEWS.
At our request Col Sweet, who seems
TO command the confidence Of the Nez
Perces to remarkable degree, lust night
interviewed Joseph III his tepee, which
was filled with the braves and head men
Of this interesting tribe of indians.
joseph, whose Indian name is In -mah
to-ye-lahk, through one of his braves,
named Mah-chu-sek, who spoke English
sufficiently we'll to be easily understood
by ore accustomed to the Indian modes
of expression, seemed very much inter-
ested in the interview, and expressed
himself freely and without any hesitation.
AS to their religious belief, he SAID that
all of the good Indians of their tribe held
to communion with the spirits of their
deceased friends. That these spirits fre-
quently came to them in the still hours
of the night and conversed with them,
and gave them directions what to do and
how to live. That this change in their
mode of warfare, whereby they had
shown such kind and humane treatment
to the prisoners, had been in accordance
with the directions of their spirit friends.
That these spirits told them to always do
what was right towards everyone; that
they must stand up for what was right,
and if they should be killed while dong
so it would be all right with them. rs
the Indian expressed it, sit would max e
n, difference"
They said they had some bad men
among them, but they were those that
did not believe in the spirits Of their dead
friends coming back to them, or If they
did believe in it, that they refused 10 do
as the spirits told them they ought to do.
They did not believe all the spirits were
good, but good spirits came to good men
a1d bad spirits to bad men. That if we
would take the advice Of good ones. we
should DO all right, and have friendship
in our hearts for everyone.
THE ESCORT.
| Col. Johnston and 1t. Reed are in COM
maDi of the escort to Leavenworth. 1.
comprises 10 men, companies 6. and L ;
First infantry.
Joseph SELLS HIS HORSE.
| Joseph sold his war pony before starting
east for SIS. and as quick as the news was
out that he had sold it there were dozen
purchasers. The buyer was offered $50
for his bargain but he holds the prize at
| higher figure There are millions N TO-
seph's ponies, if they only multiply Ike
grasshoppers. Josepn wanted to keep the
pony, but transportation and fodder
would eat his head OFF. and he sold him in
disgust Our poor government couldn't
afford 10 carry the ANIMAL through for Jo-
seph- Oh, 70: not ferJoe!
Eze Ladies 11is= Society.