Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-09-20
AN INDIAN COUNCIL.


dams Protesting Against the Retire.
ment of their Acting Agent, Capt.
Dougherty-An Indian Speech-The
Council to be Continued To-Day with
Gen. Sibley and George Spencer in At
tendance.
Gen. Terry, commanding the military de-
partment of Dakota, was somewhat surprised
Sunday by the arrival at Fort Smelling where
he has his headquarters, of considerable
group of Indians who desiered council with
him, it was represented, to ask his interces-
sion in a matter of great Importance to them.
The Indians, about score in number, are
from the Grow Creek reservation, on the Mis-
souri,, in Dakota, and have come to Gen. Terry
to ask him to present to the government their
objections to the retirement of Capt. VIM. E.
Dougherty, first infantry, who has been act
ing agent at Crow Greek for two or three
years, and is about to be superseded by Geo.
n. Spencer, ESQ.,, of this city, Who has been
appointed agent and holds one of the last few
commissions which were signed by President
Garfield. Gen. Terry, in consideration of the
fact that these Indians had come long jour
ney, and felt themselves to be representatives
of their people, could not decline to meet
them, and, having met them, will, of course,
report what was said to his military uperiors
His position in the matter is much like that
of the governor of the state, to whom Indian
delegations are sometimes sent, but who can
not directly act in the matters they present or
manifest his good will further than by listen
ing and promising to convey what it is said
to those who can act.
The council was appointed for II a. m. and
was held in the presence of q number of
officers stationed at the fort, ladies
residents and visitors at the fort, re-
porters, few Indians from Mendoza,
and Lake Walker, of Lover Brule agency, and
Dan Faribault, of Minnesota, who were wit
nesses for the Indian delegation as to the cor
rectness of the interpreter. The interpreter
was Mark Wells, sontof James Wells, the old
settler of Red Wing and Wabashaw, who was
killed by Indians in the Spirit Lake massacre.
The principals of the party were not eXtrava-
gantly got up in costume, though all did
honor to the occasion by more or less of or
namental paint and feathers. One young
brave, said to be an efficient policeman at
Crow Creek and an adept at using whip on
refractory reds, was noticeable for wearing a
good buckskin coat and profusion of yellow
ochre to match. Another of the delegation
was distinguished by brilliant pair of epau-
lets and blue coat and brass buttons. The par
ty was accompanied by "Don't Know How"
successful trader and Indian who does know
how to do business The leaders of the del
cation are White Ghost, Crow Man, Dog
Back, Slit and Middle Tent.
The council being opened at IL a. m. yester-
day, Gen. Terry inquired who would speak
for the party, whereupon Mr.. Wells intro
duced White Ghost as head chief of the Yank-
tonnais, and in explanation to the general,
stated the Yanktonnais Sioux are copcentrat-
ing at Crow Creek, where there are now, he
said, about 1900 resident Indians, In sub
stance White Ghost spoke as follows:
"My friend, we have come to see you on
important business. Since / have been at
Crow Creek have had three different agents
who were bad men and misbehaved in many
WAYS; but now / have an army officer for
agent who is a good man. You know, my
friends, when one has good thing he wants
to keep it. (How! how! in approval from the
Indians.) For that reasep have appealed to
the Great Father saying
wanted to keep the present agent; but
have not heard from him; and 1 have come to
ask you to use all your power in this matter
for us. The army officer has been with us
for three years; he understands us; he is true
man--and so we don't want him to go away.
(How! Understanding curiously like the
hear! hear' of an English audience) un-
derstand the great father has appointed an
other agent. I have refused to accept him.:
my whole tribe refuse IT; we don't want it.
Please, my friend, to understand me. If the
great father tries to crowd me and
put there this man whom
have refused, / will pick him up
and put him outside my agency, and I hope
you will not interfere. There is another c ause
why have refused him. He was one of those
who caused the trouble years ago [meaning
the massacre of 1861. For that reason don't
want him The Indians then of Redwood
agency sold their lands and were paid in an
nuities, part cash and some clothing. The
traders made the Indians go in debt to them
and then took all their cash. He was one of
the traders who made that trouble And l
have another reason for refusing this new
agent. He is chosen by Bishop Hare. and
all bad Hear! hear y. The present Chey
enne agent, who was his choice, ] understand,
is now under arrest, charged with theft.
There are two Santees here who will not deny
the charges have brought against this new
agent.
"My friend, am not wild man l never
20 to war with any one. (Hear hear y. am
always obedient to the great father and /
hope he will listen to me and grant my wishes.
Now, my friend, the officer who is our agent
has laid the foundation for many works.
want him to stay and finish them. (Hear!
hearty 1 hear the great father wants him else
where, but l need him more than the great
father does and / want HIM to stay while
with me.
My friend, after 1 have seen you intend to
go down to st. Paul to see Mr.. Spencer and
talk with him, but we have only
money left to buy two meals.
We used our hide money obtained
by selling the hides of cattle issued to them
for fOOd) to come here ard 1t is almost gone.
We cannot afford to go to st. Paul, but would
like to stay here and let him come and
see u.s."
Gen. Terry-Tell them / Will see that they
are taken care of while they stay here, and
that will send for Mr.. Spencer to come and
see them. OF course l cannot say he shall
come, but l will ask him to come.
Perhaps he can explain things to them
and satisfy them. Tell them l am
much surprised at what they have
said about Mr.. spencer, for | have been told
he is a very good man. We will postpone
further counsel on the matter until II O'clock
tomorrow, when I think Mr.. Spencer will be
here to talk with yOu.'
The Indians expressed their assent to this
arrangement and then Crow Man presented
Gen. Terry pipe, from the red pipestone
quarry, inlald with metal, having a fanciful
stem, and with it curiously worked kinnic-
kinnick or tobacco bag.
Yesterday, after the council, Gen. Terry ad-
dressed note to Mr.. Spencer, asking him to
come to Fort Smelling this morning and meet
the Indians at the hour named above, at his
1.-THE generally Office. Mr.. Spencer has signi-
fed his intention In OO and IN s11~cnstjOn