Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1885-07-23
NU MBER As.

-Gabrial, the head chief OF the
Sisseton Sioux tribe was here last
week. He has been six times to
Washington and the present adyan-
ced condition of his tribe, their
knowledge of farming and the pur-
suits Of peace and the almost self
sustaining condition they are in are
mainly attributed to his efforts.
Many Of the tribe are we'll educated
and have made advances in civiliza-
ton that are truly wonderful. AL
though there are some 80 odd teams
hear hauling coal, and probably 500
of the tribe, they are sll quiet and
well behaved and understand them
selves thoroughly. The old chief is
to be congratulated on the work he
has done to elevate his tribe. since
the fruits pf il are so manifest. He
remained several days aud made the
acquaintance Of a number OF our
citizens to whom he expressed his
surprise at the rapid advance Of the
country and said he was glad the
white man was prospering. He Is a
fine looking man, has face express
sive Of great intelligence and force
Of character, looks the brainy man
he is. He stands six feet in his
shoes, has well-knit frame, and
bids fair to live many years yet to
see the continued education, eleya-
tion and advance Of his tribe in the
art OF ciyilization--the darling wish
Of his heart.
Since writing the above, in a con-
versation with him, we learned that
two years ago 10000 bushels Of
wheat was raised and sold by the
Indians on the reservation. Last
year the agent took no account of
it. He thinks that there will be
three or four times as much raised
this, as two years ago. His great
trouble has been that agents knew
nothing Of Indian character, and he
has had to fight against their indiff-
erence in the effort to elevate his
race. This indifference on the part
Of agents, their failure to give good
advice and to aid the Indians, led
many OF them to believe that the
Government was Indifferent, and
they felt il was no use to try; but
Gabriai labored with thsm, infusing
new spirit into them, and got them
to persevere. The rapid advance
they have made has been the work
of only the last four years, and the
tribe ia now self-sustaining. Many
Of them have considerable stock
around them and are striving to get
more. Thirty Of the tribe have
over 90 acres under cultivation each
and have received patents from tho
Government to the lands they live
on; and largo number are still
striving to that end. In speaking
Of the health of the tribe he said
that many years ago when they
lived on game but few were sick and
thinks the lung troubles they have
now is owing to the hot houses they
live in during the winter and the
change in their food--thinks the
rising generation will be healthier.
He was in Washington during Grants
last term and speaks of him as a
great smart man, simple as child
and with great, loving heart"
His long and patient effort
to induce his people into the arts
Of peace and the good he has accom-
plished marks him as "grand old
man" Think Of man taking q
people, practically in Egyptian dark
ness, Utterly by the hand and lead
ing them along an unknown path
way beset with the difficulties that
nothing but dauntless courage, a
firm determined purpose could sur
mount, up to better, purer, nobler
life and you will not wonder at the
proud Joy the old man experiences
in the present advanced condition
Of his people and the enthusiastic
hope he has for their future.
We enjoyed the recital Of his he
roic effort and babe him hearty
Gods speed in his work.
We took him to the skating rink
with his son and son-in-law, whore
they spent an hour and we're highly
delighted with the music and the
skaters, and went to his tepee ex-
pressing his warm thanks for the
courtesy he had met at the hands Of
our people.