Omaha daily bee., 1881-08-22

cmlnence IN any community. Ills
powers of oratory seldom failed to
convince his people of the soundness
of his Judgment. His efforts for the
welfare OF his fellow Indians were un.
ceasing, and his influence for the elc.
vation Of his race extended to all the
Sioux agencies. He was honest,
noble, kind and brave. Peace to his
ashes.
THE FUNERAL.
His body was placed in a rough
wooden box, the best that
could be obtained at the agency,
taken to the church in a lumber wag.
on, one of his wives sitting on the
coffin, holding one line, while another
wife walked beside the wagon, hold
ing the other line The mourners,
some twelve or fifteen in number, all
naked but unarmed, followedthe wag.
on. On arriving at the church the
mourners took the front seats and lis.
tened to the Episcopal burial service
in their own language. He was bu.
ried on the top of a hill, overlooking
the agency, Already over one hun
dred dollars has been raised from half
breeds and white men towards pro.
curing a suitable monument to mark
his last resting place. 1t is pro-
posed to make the amount $3.50.
THE CAUSE OF HIS DEATH.
Envy, factions, cliques and rings
exist among all tribes of Indians to
fully rs great an extent as among
white communities, and Spotted Tails
death is the direct result of this en-
yious factional strife. Black Grow, an
egotistical Indian of limited mental
capacity, and a deadly enemy of the
white men, has long aspired to
Spotted Tails place. For years he,
with u few followers, has held coun-
Gil after council to devise a way to ac-
complish his purpose, but lacking the
courage to himself put his murderous
designs into execution he has repeat
edly requested others TO murder
Spotted Tail for him. Recently
Grow Dog was dismissed from the
captaincy of Indian police for insub-
ordination and on account of his dis
position to seek a quarrel with, and
for threatening Spotted Tails life.
This angered him to such a degree
that at a council of the Black Grow
faction he agreed to commit the muir
der. A short time ago the secretary
of the interior invited Spotted Tail to
visit Washington for the purpose of
holding a conference, with other In
dams, in regard to matters affecting
the interests of the northern tribes.
A CowARDLY MURDER.
On the day he was killed he held a
council of the sub-chiefs and head men
to confer with them in regard to the
action he should propose at the COM
ing conference. Crow Dog visited the
place of council, remaining outside
until Spotted Tail mounted his horse
and started for home, when he sprang
from behind a wagon, with cooked
gun, and when within ten feet of his
victim and at the instant Spotted Tail
say him, took quiet but deadly aim
and fired. The ball entered neal the
heart, passed entirely through the
body, killing him instantly. No words
were spoken by either, but Spotted
Tail said as he fell from his horse,
"Catch him." These were the last
words spoken by the great chieftian.
The Indians present we're so amazed
at the boldness of the act that before
they commenced shooting at Grow
Dog he was beyond the reach of their
bullets.
A CRITICAL MOMENT.
The news of the murder spread rap
idly and the excitement came toa fever
heat. Gen. Cook, the agent, who on
previous occasions has shown himself
to be a very cool and determined
man, was away. The white peo-
pie ran to the agency Office to
consult in regard to what should be
done, as the half-breeds and squaw
men were as badly excited as the In
dams, and predicted a general fight
among the different factions of Indi-
ans, with a probability of a general
of the whites before it was
over. However, Henry Lelur, acting
agent, was as cool and self-possessed
though nothing unusual had &C.
Cured. He Immediately sent for
Eagle Hawk, captain of the Indian
police, and gave him peremptory
orders to make a detail of his most
trusted police and such other Indians
as he considered necessary, and arrest
Grow Dog together with Black Crow
as an accomplice. Eagle Hawk found
Grow Dog and Black Crow on the
White river, overcame their resistance
by superior physical force and re-
ported early the next morning with
the prisoners. They were not allowed
to even stop at the agency, but we're
hurried along to Fort Niobrara under
a strong escort, where they are now
in irons.
A PRAIsEwORTHY AGENT.
Too much praise cannot be accorded
Mr.. Lelur for the admirable tact and
good judgment displayed in hand
ling these Indians at this, probably
the most critical time since they have
been under treaty stipulation with
the government. Two years ago the
predictions of the alf-breeds and
squaw-men would undoubtedly have
been realized. That they now submit to
the strong and determined willof acting
agent Lelur is undoubtedly due to the
firm yet kind treatment inaugurated
by Gen. Cook when he came here
-ls1 - "
successfully continued to the present
time. They were then impudent,
they demanded of the agent what
they wanted-all were painted. Only
one Indian wore citizens clothes,
the others all wore blankets, britch
clouts and leggins. All lived in
tepees, made night hideous with feast
ing and dancing, naked mourners
armed with loaded guns, ready to
shoot tba ErSf mhifa man wba nbannal