Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-02-04
NJ MBER q.
THE sIssET0N CHIEF.

Departure for Home This Morning in
Good Spirits and Well Pleased with
His Trip--Something Further About
the Man and His Scrupulous Sense of
Honorable Interest shown in the Case
by Prominent Citizens.
This morning the Sisseton Chief, Gabriel
Renvllle, whose presence in the city has
heretofore been noticed in these columns,
leaves for home, having discharged his mis-
sion as far as the circumstances would allow
at the present time. Yesterday he had "a
final interview with Gov. Pillsbury at the
Capitol in which the Governor promised to
interest himself and do all in his power to
further the purpose for which the journey
here had been undertaken-the removal of
the present Indian agent at Sisseton, Hoop
er, and the Inauguration of better and
more satisfactory state of affairs there,
which is, there is little doubt, altogether de-
pendent upon the removal in question.
Shortly before Gabriel's arrival here
last week. circumstances against Hooper's
confirmation were,forwarded to Washington,
which, however, did not reach there in time
Senate on Friday last, the Goth ult. Adj
vices since received state that Delegate Kid
der has interested himself in the matter and
with success enough to ''tie up" his commits
sion, SO that thus far the question remains
undecided and may possibly be opened up
anew and perhaps result in the dismissal of
the present agent. In the meantime, since
Renyille's arrival, several prominent gentle
men have interested themselves in the case
and have already forwarded important docu-
ments giving the ''true inwardness" of
the matter, and urging the necessity
of a change of agent ct that
of these gentlemen will even visit Washing
ton in person and there endeavor to accom-
| plish their mission. In fact the interest
manifested in the case by such prominent
and well known citizens as Gen. Sibley, Gov.
| Pillsbury, Col. Crooks, and others, is suff-
Gent to indicate their feelings and opinions
in reference to the man and the truth of
whatever representations he has made to
| them. Two of these gentlemen, at least,
know him well, aud an acquaintance of
many years standing justiies them i'll the
assertion that, so far as truth and veracity
are concerned, his statements are entitled to
the most implicit credence.
To illustrate this point q stray leaflet
from the mans history, which came
to the reporters knowledge day
or two ago, may not be out of place. 1t will
be recollected that a large gathering of the
hostile Sioux took place in the spring of 1876
at Spotted Tail agency, and that commits
| sion consisting of Gen. Terry and others met
them there by appointment-the principal
object of the conference being to enter into
a treaty for the cession of the Black Hills.
The perilous scenes of that conference will
be readily recalled, and it is not stating the
case too strongly when we say that the
| chances of any one of the commission
escaping from the horde of infuri-
ated hostiles who at one time
surrounded them and were on the
point of massacreing the entire party, were
as one to ten thousand. Among those in
strumental III preserving peace, was Gabriel
Renville, who went there with the sole pur-
pose and intent to use his influence with the
hostile chiefs, with nearly all of whom he is
connected by ties of blood relationship and
thereby prevent an outbreak. Although no
treaty was mace at that time, yet was
made short while afterwards, which was
followed by the return to the agency of the
hostiles, and their surrender. AS before
estimated, Gabriel Renvilie had large share
in producing this result, and on his return
to Sissiton, brought back with him SO
ponies, which had been presented
to him by his friends among
the indian chiefs in consideration of his ser
vices rendered them in making the treaty.
| While among the hostiles, his influence had
been used to induce them to return to the
agencies and to surrender, and adopt the
habits of civilization and endeavor to be-
come self-supporting. But when the hos
tiles did come on, the government took
away their ponies after the cession of the
Black Hills had been completed. This the
Indians regarded as breach of the treaty
and an act of bad faith, for which they
blamed Renville. Accordingly when he
had returned to Sisseton, messages were sent
to him from there from the Indians
beyond the Missouri, stating that they did
not think he would SO mislead them and
that in trusting him, he had led them into a
trap and placed them in the white mans
power.
That he should be accused of betraying
his friends by breach Ct ia tn to them, was
severe blow to his sensitive nature which
he has never forgotten and which troubles
him even to this day, and of which he never
fails to speak with regret AMI sorrow.
His great mission-the one to which he has
devoted his whole soul-lt IS to bring the
Indian out of barbarism into civilization
and to make him self-supporting.
, This, he thinks has been greatly retarded
with the Missouri River Indians, by the ac-
ton of the government in the matter refer
, red to- Renville, it is also said is natu-
raj ora or. and for this reason potent and all
, powerful in the councils of his people. In
fact he is a natural leader, and he possesses
all the qualifications of such-a good judg-
, ment, clear head and convincing and
ready flow of language.
On his trip here he met with Paul Beau
, lieu. and with him exchanged many interest
ing "reminiscences of the old time feuds sof
their respective tribes, the Chippewas and
, the Dakotas.
!, AS stated before, he leaves this place
well pleased with his visit here, and more
than probable success of his mission to this
; city, which, as has been before stated, was
to secure if possible the removal of troops
, and the appointment of some competent
person in his place.
IN 4ssault on. the 1flpI,abet.
, scientific German at Leipsic has recently
. published a new book, under the title O.
-. ,1v,l,o