The daily gazette., 1883-08-10
ARTHUR AND THE INDIANS.
The Great Father Makes a Speech an,
Looks at q ShoshOne War-DanGe.

FORT WASHABLE, WYOMING, August s.
| The Presidential party have spent the day
at Fort Washakie, preparatory to setting oui
upon their ide to the Yellowstone in the
morning, the President, Secretary Lincoln
and General Sheridan returning a call
which the officers of the post had made
upon them the previous evening. In ac-
cordance with the expressed wish of the
Sheehones and one of the Arapahoe chiefs
their people were afforded an opportunity
| OF calling upon the President at O'Clock in
the afternoon. Shortly before that hour
they gathered on the plains to the number
OF about 800 warriors, mounted upon their
hai dsome ponies. They dashed forward In
line for about ], 200 yards to point near
which the President stood awaiting them,
The column then halted and several of the
chiefs dismounted aud approached him.
Among them were Washakie, the remark
| able chief of the Sheshones, from whom this
post takes it's name, and Black Coal, chief
OF the Arapahoes, tribe which, within a
few years, has been permitted TO share the
occupancy of this reservation.
The President then thanked his visitors
for calling OF him and congratulated them
on their hne appearance. He assured them
of his interest in their welfare and of his
satisfaction at hearing of their exemplary
conduct and heir growing attention to the
practice of industrial pursuits. His address,
VIII ch was admirably suited to the occasion,
was interpreted to the Shosh mes by an Eng
lish speaking member of the tribe, who
bears the name of Norcutt, and to the Ara.
pahoes by one of their number, who was
educated at the Carlisle school. The chiefs
then shouted to their respectives tribes what
had been said to them by their Is reat Father,
and the announcement was received with
demonstrations of approval. Both Wa ,ha-
kie and Black Coal made pertinent replies.
They thanked the President for honoring
them with visit and avowed their purpose
OF living at peace with the whites and adopt
ing as rapidly as possible their manners and
customs of life. Their addresses, as inter-
preted, were full of expressive metaphor
and were positively eloquent.
The Arapahoe's Interpreter found no little
difficulty in making himself understood,
His efforts were oddly recorded by Captain
Clarke, of General Sheridan's staff, who has
thoroughly mastered the beautiful and ex-
pressive sign language, which is the only
method of communication of tie two tribes
and in their intercourse with the whites fully
supplies the place OF speech.
Sharp Nose then brought forth an Indian
pony and, placing the bride In the Presi-
dents hands, he presented the handsome
animal to him for the use of his daughter
oHts OF mnccaslns ana legglngs were pre-
sented to the members of the party. Then
followed war dance, in which 20 young
Shoshone braves took part. Eight beat the
drum and chanted wIerd song to excite
the efforts of their fellows. Some of the
dancers were nearly naked, their skins being
painted with various colors. Others were
gayly dressed in hashy-colored costumes, no
two of which were alike. Some were orna
mented v ith beads, feathers and every kind
of Indian ornaments. The dance afforded
great entertainment to the party.