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

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 Crow 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 Creek for two or three
years, and is about to be superseded by Geo.
H. 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 su periors.
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 1t is said
to those who can act.
The council was appointed for II a. m. and
was held in the presence of a number of
residents and visitors at the fort, re-
porters. a few Indians from Mendoza,
and Lake Walker, of Lower 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, sonsof 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"
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 II 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 concentrat-
| ing at Crow Creek, where there are now, he
said, about 1000 resident Indians, In sub
stance White Ghost spoke as follows:
"My friend, we have come to see you on
| important business. Since I have been at
Crow Creek have had three different agents
who were bad men and misbehaved in many
ways; but now I have an army officer for
agent who is 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 l have appealed to
the Great Father saying I
wanted to keep the present agent; but
have not heard from him; and 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.) I'M
derstand the great father has appointed an
other agent. l 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, I wills pick him up
and put him outside my agency, and hope
you will not interfere. There is another cause
why have refused him. He was one of those
who caused the trouble years ago meaning
the massacre of 1861. For that reason don It
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
have another reason for refusing this new
agent. He is chosen by Bishop Hare, and
every agent the bishop has selected was bad
all bad. fHear! hear y. The present Chey-
enne agent, who was his choice, 1 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. l am
always obedient to the great father and l
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. |
hearD / hear the great father wants him else
! where, but I need him more than the great
father does and want him to stay while
with me.
MY friend, after have seen you l intend to
60 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 and 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 l 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 I cannot say he shall
come, but / 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 Isl very good man. We will postpone
further counsel on the matter until II o'clock
tomorrow, when 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 adj
dressed a note to Mr.. Spencer, asking him to
come to Fort Smelling this morning and meet
the Indians at the hour named above, at his
(the generally Office. Mr.. Spencer has signi-
fed his intention TO go, and on a suggestion
coming from Gen. Terry, who is informed
that Mr.. Spencer's appointment was recon-
mended by him, has invited Gen. Sibley to ac-
company him. If the weather is not unfavor-
able for the ride Gen. Sibley will probably go,