The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-10-15
scens. end rnordents.

a lotier from Camp Sheridan, Neb.,
says: The glory OF Camp Sheridan and
its sister pobt Camp Robinson. has de-
parted. The thousand Sioux who few
years since gathered about the neigh
boring agencies are now scattered tar and
wide. Some are on the Missouri, some
are at the new agencies at Pine Ridge
and the Rosebud, and some, yielding TO
the numerous vicissitudes of savage life,
have found resting place on the ele-
waited scaffolds that constitute the place
of Dakota burial. ry
An Indian agency, while in existence,
presents n most animated scene, being
surrounded by thousands of Indians OF
all ages-men and women, boys and
girls, papooses so small that their care
ful mothers have strapped them to the
colts on which they ride. All gather
about the agents house and traders
store on the days on which their rations
are issued, or the more important occas-
sion on which they receive their semi
annual annuities. The active existeno1
of an agency, however, is not of lonC
duration. Everything appertaining to
the American savage seems to be of q
1oeting character. Soon alter his con-
tact with the white race war ensucs,
in which the savage suffers defeat. Soon
after the termination of this war an
agency is established for the benefit of
the subjugated Indians. In few years
the inroads of settlers makes necessary
the removal of the agency to some point
further north or west. which removal is
followed by another and another, until
the tribe, reduced to q mere band, is
finally conveyed to that last reposi-
tory of the American natives the In
dian Territory. Such has been the Lis
tory Of the agencies of the Spotted Tail
and Red Cloud bands of the Sioux tribe,
who are now occupying their third
agency, having been removed FROM
the vicinities of Camps Sheridan and
Robinson about two years ago to their
present homes at Pine Ridge and Rose
bud. The old agency buildings present
a most gloomy appearance. Their des-
olate air may be taken as an index
of the present state of the entire coun-
try. In old times fortunes were made
in day; the Indian traders and French
squaw men reaped most abundant
harvest. Legend states that at one OF
the frontier stores a barrel was placed
under the counter in which the receipts
of the day were deposited. In those
palmy days Frencbman named Nick
Geneese lived among the Sioux, one of
whose women he married Nick would
import barrel of alcohol from the
States, which would be secretly con-
veyed to the Indian country and buried.
With tin cup full of a compounded
mixture of alcohol, water, tobacco and
sugar, one. two or three valuable buffalo
robes could be purchased. The same
bargain might frequently be concluded
through the medium of pint dippef
filed with Jumps of white sugar. Nick
atil1 livas II, tho aog1ft,-xy hIIt
standing his early opportunities, is in
very moderate circumstances. Like
most men of his class, he was ofa lavish
disposition, and rapidly squandered
what was so easily acquired.
Many tragical scenes occurred in
those early days. An officer at this post
related an exciting interview lie once
beheld between Spotted Tail and an
Indian whose brother he had lately
killed. The victims name was Big
Mouth. He was white mans chief,
and on that account, probably, was
obnoxious to large majority of his
tribe. Spotted Tail, then more patriotic
than at present, shot him in some.
what cowardly manner. In the even.
ing Big Mouths brother appeared in
Spotted Tails tepe arrayed in full war
panoply, and bitterly upbraided the
murderer fol his cowardly act. After
the delivery OF his denunciation, he de-
liberately turned ana walked from the
wigwam. Spotted Tail, says the mar
rator, appeared exceedingly restive
under the indignant tide of reproach
vehemently poured forth by the enraged
brother. He nervously fingered his
rifle, and the spectator supposed his foe
would never leave the tent alive. He,
however, Withdrew unharmed. A more
tragical scene occurred at q different
time and place, resulting in the death
Of several savaees Yellow Bear, "a
Dakota chief, ordered certain half
breed named Renshaw not to enter his
camp. threatening, in case OF disobedi-
ence, to shoot him The hath ICED, not
withstanding the Injunction, visited the
camp OF Yellow Bear. who attempted to
execute his threat. Renshaw was too
quick for him and fired. killing the
chief. Two or three other Indians, who
attempted to avenge their chief, were
also killed. Finally, Renshaw was
slain. His squaw, II woman Of the
tribe, being apprised of his fate. rushed
to the scene. and frantically threw her
self on the dead body of her husband.
After bemoaning him In the vehement
style peculiar to the Indians and all wild
people, she arose, and arming herself
with his ok, proceeded to mangle the
bodies of the dead savages. After hack
ing them sufficiently, she smeared her
self with their blood. Then, with her
long hair bedabbled with gore, she
gathered her husband in her arms and
sat on the ground, rocking to and fro,
grooming a savage ditty to the inanimate