Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-07-09

Ddy.
Tour Special Correspondent
Yankton Agency, July 4th, 1s79,-On the
glorious Fourth, at Ysnkton agency, I was
entertained by the Yankton Indians. After
having received extra rations from Maj.
Gardner, they went to Mr.. Sperry's store,
and there received from that kind gentleman
presents, consisting Of flour, sugar, coffee
and fireworks. Immediately after they
marched, to the music of drums, kettles and
hornpipes-their natural hoarse and shrek.
ing voices-to a spot, about 500 yards north
from the agency buildings. There the squsws
Immediately commenced work, and in a few
minutes two or three dozen camp kettles
were hanging oyer good fires, supported by
long polls resting on small crotched pofts.
In company with the officials Of the agency,
/ walked over to the big feast. Indians of
both sexes, in wagons, on horse back, and on
foot, we're coming in from all directions.
Some we're beautifully attired with dresses
worked with beads Of all c%olors; some In
dams were painted yellow, black and white
no red, for the uss Of vermillion or car.
mine has been forbidden them by the Uni
ted States government. Some young squaws
wore calico dresses, cut by the last fashion
from Paris; some had fans; some had sun
umbrellas of the colors of a rainbow /; many
were carrying their pappooses in their arms,
as white women do boys were dressed as
white boys old men and old women hobbled
along With the help of clutches. The COM
mittes on reception, consisting Of Chief Po-
lice Poor Bull and his squad, provided seats
for participants to the great feast, and as
fast Is they came in a seat was shown them
on III. grass. As o as the vituals were
cooked the signal was given by the firing Of
a cannon, ian old Indian gum. and imme.
diatsly the band struck up Yankee Doodle,
set to Indian music. The band consisted Of
about 700 pieces; 5sdrums and 695 voices
in different keys too numerous to mention
After the national air had been gone through
they began to play the favorite Indian tunt
which was performed with the knife and
%jaw.bones, and continued till the last morse|
of food had been consumed.
After while . grand Fourth Of July
dance was INDUCED in. Major Gardner was
invited by Strike-the-R Rec, the first chief, t
open the dance with one of the pretty
squaws, but declined on account of . cram,
in his hair. Major Andrus was then asket
to lead, but the major had taken two cup.
of coffee in the morning and didn't fee
we'll. We we're all asked to lead, but unfor
tunately we were all sick that morning
Medicine Cow had no ailments and led tn
dance. As the festivities were intended i
last till night, we left the good Yankton'
enjoying themselves and returned to tn
Agency.
1 had intended to spend this day at Fo,
Randall but found it impossible to make i
do not. however, regret being here; Ii
time has been pleasantly spent and the ds
has been appropriately observed, though
i not clear to my mind why the, Indisr
should rejoice oyer an event wich rave Dirt
to a mighty nation and sounded the certai
doom of their race. Their glorifcation
probably a case where Ignorance is bliss
Yours, c.
N. B.-Shall leave 1t 4 p. m. for RAJ
dali,