Sharp County record., 1879-06-19
An Indian'S Gratitude.

OMAHA, Neb., May 19.-Standing
Bear and party, dischar ged in obedl-
ence to the order of Judge Dundy, took
up their line of march for the North
Yesterday. Before leaving, Standing
Bear visited the city to bid Messrs. Pop
ple.on and Webster, his counsel, good
by, and 10 make each present in token
of his gratitude for their services in his
case. He went to Mr.. WebSter's house
and presented him with a tomaha"K
which he had carried for many years as
Chief, and which was emblematic OF
rank, bearing his name engraved upon
it. Upon rising to speak ne shook
hands with ali, remarking that he wish,
ed to pay respect to all the ladies, and
would shake hands with them first. He
then spoke as follows to Mr.. Webster:
"You and | are here, our skins are OF
different color, but God made US both
little while ago. When | was young L
was wild. Iknew nothing of the ways
of the white people. | see you have
nice house here. Look at these beautl-
full rooms. l would like to have house,
too, and it may be after a while that L
can get one, but not so good house as
this. That is what | want to do. For
a great many years the white men have
been driving US about. They are shreWd,
sharp, and know how to cheat, but since
| have been here have found them dlt-
ferent. They have all treated me kind
". | am thankful for it. Hitherto
when we have been wronged we went to
war to assert our rights aud avenge our
wrongs. We had no law to punish
those who did wrong, so we took toma,
hawks and went to kill. If they had
guns and could kill US it was the fate
of war, but you have found a better
way. You have gone into
the court for us, and |
find our wrongs can be rigNted there.
Now | have no more use tor the tOma-
hawk, and | want to lay it down forev-
er." Here he stopped down, laid the
tomahawk on the floor, and then stood
erect and folded his arms, saying: 81
lay it down; have found better way"
Then picking it up ne handed it to Mr..
Webster, saying: 81 present it to you
as a token Of my gratitude that you may
keep it in remembrance of this great vic
tory you have gained. You can now
seek the ways of peace"
Mr.. Webster responded with advice
as to the future course to be pursued by
Standing Bear ant his people. The
Chief then went to Mr. POppleton's res
idence, and, meeting that gentleman,
said: 81 told yoa in the court room
that God made me and that | was a
man. For many years we have been
chased about as a dog chases a wild
beast. God sent you to help me. |
thank you for what you have done. L
want to get my land back. That is
what long for all the time, for | wish
to live there and be buried with my IA
tkers. When yor we're speaking in the
courtroom | could not understand, but
| could see you wee trying hard to re
lease me. l think you are doing for me
and my people something that has nev,
er been done before, and will ask God
to pay you for it, As | could never get
enough to do so. ] have relic which
has come down tony people through
many generations. | do not know how
old it is. 1t may be 200 or 800 years
old. present it to you for what you
have done for me Mr.. Poppleton ac-
knowledged the PRESENT in appropriate
remarks. The relic is head-dresS
worn by a Chief wlen the Poncas made
the first treaty with white men. 1t was
since worn by the head Chiefs in their
most solemn counis. Curiosity-seek-
ers have offered ,arge amounts for it,
but Standing Bearheretofore refused to
part with it.