The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1879-01-01
CHRISTMAS.
How They Celebrate the Day among the indl.
ans-An Interesting Letter,

- ~ g. EN" L"
To TIE Editor Of the Leader:
S%HosHoNE AND BANNocK AGENCY.
Wyoming Ter. Dec. 96th, '7s.
The good people Of this reservation.
including the residents of the post and
Of the agency, though removed .sbe-
yond the general influences of ciyiliza-
tion" do nevertheless still keep inmem-
DRY the return of Christmas, the time
honoreI nativity of '.the Prince of
Peace"
L. company, Fifth cavalry, gave a
grand military ball on Christmas Eve,
at their company quarters. The room
vas decorated with United States flags,
military devices and wreaths of ever
green. There were a goodly number of
ladies present, Notwithstanding the Sc
we're cold; Lander City being well rep
resented by s'the fair.n A few of the
officers and their ladies participated in
the festivities, which continued till Old
Sol awoke and lighted up the eastern
horizon. The culinary department was
under the supervision Of Sergt. Spain.
The tables were set for about sixty
couple; and loaded with a rich profu-
sion of tempting yiands that would
compare favorably with Delmonico's
best. The whole was free to everybody
and everybody appeared to be well
pleased with himself and the rest of
mankind, especially with his partners.
The principal feature at the agency
was a huge Christmas tree, which was
handsomely decorated with glittering
ftinsels and golden winged images. 1t
was loaded to its full capacity with
presents, and loads Of them were piled
on the tableand floor. Agent Patten was
master of ceremonies, and opened the
exercises with the regular church SER
vice. E. Ballou delivered a short ad-
dress, and announced to the children
the coming of the Saint with claws.
The curtains then raised, and Santa
Claus sprang out in his suit of furs
and robes, with long, white, flowing
beard, and a liberal supply of bells at
tached to his holiday paraphernalia.
He danced through the hall amid
screams of laughter, though to the
CONSERVATION of some of the little
folks who had never before seen Santa
in his travelling suit.
All the employees of the agency were
present, besides q few from the post
and elsewhere; also all the Indians at
the agency. The latter all received
presents, the women dresses and shawls,
the boys coats, pants, hats and shoes, a
pair of mittens all around, with a fair
share Of the apples, candies, etc.
No little merriment was produced by
the distribution of presents in seeing
the little ones open their eyes with as
constituent, and the Indians chuckle
with inward delight on receipt of a
package; but when Mrs. Patten would
present some u~nsuspecting benedict
with "a little one' in swaddling
clothes, the house would become up
roarious.
Wednesday afternoon found the
sitting-rooms everywhere upside down,
with no stepping oom for the scatter
ment Of toys. Fathers and mothers
were busy teaching their young hope-
fuls how to shoot. Young Indians
were parading around tho quarters in
ti.ei. new suits, feeling happier than
Sitting Bull in his war paint.
At 10 O'Clock allassembled again and
listened to the reading of a sermon by
the agent, and Joined in singing praises
to Him whose birth we celebrate, and
who taught us by precept and example
to do good to one another, and as far
as possible make everybody happy.
Thus we passed "a merry Christmas. !,
Yours,
EQUAL RIGHTs.