The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1879-08-14
THE SOCIABLE SlOUA.

Ea as SJoH Saws They Are Kind, Hospi
table, Sociable, Affable and POSSESS many
other Comrnendable Traits SoI Ueheral-
ly Recognized by Prujudiced "hi'e Nieh
Especial Correspondence OF the ohicaeo hiio
une.
FORT ABRAHAM LINCOLN, u. T., Ju
" 15.-Whie not prepared to insist
that the hostile Sioux is as innocuous
being as Maj. Walsh would seem to In
dictate in the interview recently pup
l;shed in the Tribune, yet am forced to
confess that, during two months So
iourn with the Indians, l saw the posi-
bility of much good in the Teton Naza-
reth. 1t is impossible for a man preJu
diced as an American must necessarily
be to suddenly recognize many OF the
virtues that Maj. Walsh has discovered
during two years residence
with Sitting Bulls band; but the man
who gains the confidence OF the Sioux
Chiefs, and to whom they will talk I'M
restrainedly, can not resist the lmpres-
sion that they are thoroughly honest in
the conviction that they have been I'M
Justly dealt with, and have been hunted
and prosecuted until existence has be-
come wretched to them.
When first went into that part of
the band located around Wood Noun
tain, it was with all the feeling of dis
gust and hatred that an American citi
zen naturally imbibes from the loose re
ports and scattered rumors that have
given the Tetons their reputation. Il
took but few days to develop the fact
that in many respects these Indians
HAD BEEN sHAMEFULLY MIsREPRE-
SENTED;
and, determined to get to the bottom
facts, went into the tribe and studied
its characteristics at my leisure. A for
tunate incident, of which / have written
you before, afforded me material aid !;
that was curing the sprained foot of Lit
tle-Knife, one of the influential Chiefs
of the nation. Grateful for relief from
pain, the Chief sought me, and after a
little was adopted into his family. His
affection for me grew stronger and
stronger, until he wanted me to marry
his niece, settle down as one of his fam
lily, throw off my allegiance to white
wars and customs, and adopt the habits
and dress of the Un-ca-pa-pas. Old as
he is, he promised to take the war-trail
and teach me to hunt the Crows, show
me the use of the scalping knife, and, in
short, train me in the ways and admo-
nitions of the savage. Taking his prom
Uses and demands under consideration,
frequented his lodge, and was treated
as member of the family. Here came
in contact with Indian character in
whatever purity it may possess; and
here, too, 1 was brought into close COM
munion with many of the warriors of
the tribe, who talked freely in my
presence, and discussed with me the
condition of the Sioux nation and its re-
lations to the whites. Over and again
l have perpetrated the Terpsichorean
art as socially practiced by the Ameri-
can savage when aroused by good news
My adopted father and brother labored
long with me to
'TEACH ME THE CROW STEP"
that l might dance with the rest when
news came that the "Conges" had been
defeated by the Un-ca-pa pas. And.
when the information Correct or other
wise) began to flow in of great victories
gained by the tribe over its enemies,
have hoped around as lively as the
liveliest in celebration of the event, and
painted my visage in gorgeous streaks
to testify my glory in the triumph. All
this is merely to indicate the intimacy
of the terms on which stood with these
people, and TO demonstrate that | was
IN position to see the character of nv
surroundings, whether or not was an
impartial Judge.
The first thing that excited my atten-
ton was an enthusiastic fidelity to the
rules OF hospitality. An Indians lodge
IS the property of his guest. No matter
how little there may be to eat, it is
stralghtway set forth; and, no matter
how hard-up the head of the house may
be for tobacco, he will find enough to
smoke with his visitor. Another thing
that attracts notice is the light and Cos.
spy tone of everyday conversation.
Eastern people picture the Sioux eternal
~ IN war-paint and perennially on MUIR
DER bent. Yet | never heard war al
luded to, unless it were when q runner
came in from the main camp with intel
ligence of fight with the Crows. On
the contrary,
THE TALK WAS OF CHEERFUL Ma
TURE;
and was surprised to detect q ROSY dis
position to look upon the bright side of
existence, and Bohemian like inclina.
ton to regard disaster as Joke. It
Will unquestionably surprise many of
your readers to hear that a Sioux In
dian far prefers fun to war, and witty
savage is far more popular than blood
thirsty redskin. have heard MANY a
good thing perpetrated around pot of
pemmlcan dog; and many an evening
have seen lodge full of Indians and
squaws kept in constant roar by the
observations OF some ne'er-do- well Chan.
who filled his belly by the exercise of
ms wit. AS matter of fact, 1 saw more
Joiiity than gravity while in the camp,
and recognized rather reckless disre.
gard to annoyance and trouble. and a
lively appreciation of the ludicrous and
humorous.
In his domestic life, and apart from
Its savage vulgarity, the Teton is mod.
el. custom has taught him that it is de-
grading to work, and has also taught his
VIE that all the household cares should
devolve upon her. He will provide food
Wnen ne can, and. when he can't will