Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-08-18
NO. 81.
SITTING BULL,
Fears of Indian Treachery

The latest advlceS from Fort Yates
bring interesting statements concerning
the situation of affairs among the Indi-
ans, the movements of Sitting Bull and
the possibilities of another indian out
break. The correspondent of the St.
Paul Pioneer Press writes that the stor-
les In regard to scarcity of rations have
been greatly exaggerated, and that
there is no immediate danger of lack
Of food. A few days ago, the correspon-
dent, in company with Father Stephen,
the Indian agent of the reservation,
visited what is termed the "hostile
camp" which is located on a small
stream at the foot of range of bluffs
about three miles from the garrison.
Here are camped 5000 late hostiles,
who are doing nothing except
BAsK IN THE sun,
and eat government ratiOns at all hours
Of the day. Scattered over the country
to the north and south, for a distance
each way of thirty miles, are fully 5000
more Indians which have been longer
at the agency, and very few who
make pretense at cultivating the soil.
Of the 1000 Indians only 243 have set
tASu upOH ldIluSI Gll6 ldllu anu DTO-
ducts of which are given to the Indians,
in addition to their regular rations as an
induCement to work. Said Father
Stephen: There is but little encourage
ment in trying to induce an Indian to
work under the present policy of the
Interior Department. When they have
enough to eat, their ambition is salts
fed and they will do nothing. As an
illustration | will refer you to my ex-
perience. When took charge of this
agency the Indians had scarcely enough
to eat, and, as a result that year they
cut and sold to contractors 2300 cords
of wood. Now they have plenty of
everything and
WILL NOT WORK.
Last year | received 500 and this year
$500 to be expended in hiring Indians
to cut wood. The government author
lied me to pay them s. cord, or an
inducement of five cents a cord more
than contractors pay. The result has
been that | have had to refund the
money to the government IN both in
stances. The Indians seem to think
that the white men are their slaves,
and they often come to my office win
dow and ask me to get up from my
desk and hand them a match. Ny
opinion as to the proper policy would
be to give an agency Indian 100 acres
of land and issue ratiOns to him for five
years with the distinct understanding
from the very beginning, that after
that time he must provide for himself.
To hold the Indians legally responsible
for all depredatiOns against each other,
or against the white man, and vice
versa, would always have beneficial
effect" Among the objects which at
tracted attention in the camp which
the correspondent and the agent visited
was
THE SCALP OF A WOMAN,
dangling from pole, near the top of
large tent. On approaching it, the hair
was discovered to be of unusual length,
fine and silky and of auburn color.
There was just enough breeze to occa-
siOnally blow aside the undetached ends
of the hair, which at once revealed in
the bright sunlight, the fact that it must
have originally belonged to the head of
some delicate white woman. In this
wigwam was being held a council of
chiefs, a dozen or more forming cir
Gle on the inside. When the presence
of the reporter became known, the
"talk' ceased and one or two of the
braves stepped outside and shook
hands, and grunted, Howl Refer
ence being made to the scalp, it was
announced that the chief Running An
telope was possessed of a buckskin
shirt, the lining of which consisted of
the seal ps of white men and women
who had been
NIURDEROUSLY MASSACRED.
~On the day in question Sitting Bull,
by invitation of the "hostiles," had WIS.,
tied their camp, and from morning till
night had been feasted and cOunciled
in the different wigwams. In order to
accept the invitation the chief had
walked from his own camp and had
cancelled an acceptance of an invita-
ton (for money! to have his picture
taken that afternoon. He was not
present in the council when the report
er arrived, and, although known to be
in the camp, was nowhere to be seen.
This may, perhaps, be accounted for
from the fact that when Father Stephen
and party were seen approaching the
camp, and when about quarter of a
mile distant the Indians began a sys-
tenn of signalling by means of holding
a small mirror in the rays of the sun
and throwing the reflection in certain
directions, varying the long flashes
with short and quick ones. Sitting Bull,
during his visit was unaccompanied by
interpreter, officer, scout or friend.