McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-07-03
THE sioux INDIANS.
Condition Of Affair at Rosebud Agency.
A Thoroughly Civilixsd Specimen.

A Thoroughly Civilized Specimen.
Lincoln Journal.
Last Thursday, through the kindness
of Col. 0. NJ. Druse, Journal report
er was made acquainted with Mr.. Tall
Chiff, Sioux, and for years an inter-
prefer in the service of the govern
ment Mr.. Tall ChiH is about sixty
years old, rather gray, but erect and
active. His color has not been tanned
by civilization, and aside from his garb
he looked a genuine aborigine. He was
educated at Washington and Philadel-
phia, spending two years at the former
and three at the latter place, under the
guardianship of the Quakers, who were
the first sect after the Catholics to
take very definite interest in the In
dams.
Tall Cliffs Indian name is Con-oc-
to-wan-ha, and he is of the lineage of
chiefs, his father being brother Of Sit
ting Bull. The father died few years
ago at the advanced age of 112 years.
He belongs to the Red Cloud band, but
seemed to hold in scorn the pretensions
of those Indian warriors or statesmen
who claim the dignity of chieftianship
by heredity. His wife is white
woman, and he holds very rigid views
about the sacredness of the family re-
lation, his own being based upon the
Christian model.
Tall Chiff is an extensive farmer,
having had APO acres of choice land al
lotted to him by the government at his
own persistent request. He has been
engaged for five years in agricultural
pursuits, and quite successfully. He
has rs acres in corn this year and will
cut 1900 tons of hay. Last year he
made good crop of corn and 800 tons
of hay. He has large lot of hogs and
a good herd of cattle. Last year he
bought some blooded pigs at Staple
hurst, in Seward county, and the result
pleased him so well that he is now at
that point getting more. His presence
in the city was due to his desire to pro-
cure some thoroughbred bulls for i'm
proving his stock, and for that purpose
he will attend the Daily sale this week.
Thousands of common cattle range the
hills and plains about Rosebud, belong
ing to the Indians and to settlers, and
more are being brought in all the time.
Tall Chiff fully understands the import.
ance of grading them up to the i'm
proved standard, and thinks pure blood
bulls will be good investment.
In answer to queries upon tbs SUBJ
ject, Tall Chiff expressed himself hope
fully as to the future of the Sioux, and
more especially those at Rosebud agen-
cy, of whom there are about 1900. OF
these some fifty heads of families are
farmers, and are succeeding finely.
They have in from forty to 12O acres of
corn each and other crops in proper
ton. Most of them are anxious for
their children to 60 to school and be-
come educated like the whites. They
take an especial interest in the learning
of trades and show great aptitude for
it. In farming matters they prefer
stock generally. Tall Chiff himself
sold 5000 worth of ponies last year of
his own raising. They are improved
from the common Sioux stock by a
judicious mixture of good blood, giving
them increased size but retaining the
and sagacity for which they
have become famous. With this i'm
provement in blood is also introduced
better keep in winter, with shelter. The
desire to have lands allotted in several
ty is growing among the Indians.
They believe they ought to have white
mans chance and feel confident they
could improve it.
Among other things learned from
Tall Chiff was the existence of Free
Masonry among the Indians-not the
crude and superstitious sort that is
popularity believed, but a high order of
Blue Lod ge work, differing but slightly
in its ceremonials and teachings from
the best Anglo-Saxon lodges. He
states that its existence is traced back
| 200 years before Columbus discover
ed the continent, but beyond that point
it is lost in the dim mists of tradition.
Tall Chit himself is member of the
mystic order, and has several times Wis
tied white lodges, gaining admission on
the symbols everywhere recognized.
He will be in the city Monday evening,
and will doubtless be in attendance
upon the dedication of the Masonic |
temple. He is a fluent talker and a
very intelligent man, and could no
doubt add to the interest of the oc-
casion if he can be induced to do so.
He related to the reporter an interest
ing incident concerning Big Tree, the
chief who was some years ago taken
to Washington on charge of tearing
up the track of the Union Pacific rail-
road. Big Tree was Mason, and his
connection with the order was of SER
vice to him at the time.
Tall Chiff denies that the women are
slaves among the Indians, or that they
are compelled by the men to do the
drudgery as is generally believed. He
says they do this severe. work volun-
tarily and with pleasure. They are
strong and able to do it with no great |
fatigue. What may be defined as a !
family esprit du corps is very strong
among the Indians, and a woman who
could not do her share of the work
would regard herself as unfortunate.
The Sioux are DESTROYS of emulatinp |