The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-05-30
SHOSHONE INDIANS.
The Views of the Old Chief TendOy
From the Lemhi Agency ON
Various Subjects.
His Friendship for the Whites and His
Desires for the Advancement of
His Tribe in Many Respects.

| ture, six feet nine inches in height, square
built straight as an arrow, self-compOsed
with features firm and almost regular
| black eyes, and the massive head sur
| rounded with IL crop of grey-black hair
| reaching only to the neck-such is "Tendoy."
| the chief OF the ''Shoshones,' now on Il
visit to this city from his agency. the
Lemhi. His camp is in the Missoula gulcll
just north OF the brewery, and consists of
three tents and the usual complement of
ponies. BY the courtesy Of Fred Taylor
THE MINER representative was yesterday
made acquainted with ''Tendoy" and the
well known scout and interpreter William
Gunard, and by the kindness of the latter
gentleman the following conversation en-
sued and interesting facts were cleaned:
AN OLD CHIEF.
How long have you been the chief"
asked the reporter. - am now about 81
years old, and have been chief since the
year 62-63 at which time | succeeded
''Snag,' who was killed by road agents in
Bannock. | was elected his successor be-
fore his DEATH
''How many are there in your party and
how long were you coming?'
There are six in the. party, myself my
broter, Engowanah. or Red Blanket, my
Sons, 'Tobombic,' or Tobacco Juice, and
Tohwanda,' or Black Bear, and two
squaws. We arrived last Sunday, after
journey of eight days
''Did you bring any thing with you?'
"Yes Il lot of ponies and some skins We
had lot OF salmon but as the rain DELAYED
us, they were spoiled and thrown away, |
had expected to bring my boy, 'Iderraek-
way or Gun without Il Hammer" con-
tinued the old man, "but he died.
THE BURIAL.
At this point the interpreter explained
that the old man wore his hair cut short as
an emblem OF mourning, and that on the
occasion of the funeral of the boy who was
Is years old, and the legitimate successor
to the Chieitanship, the ceremonies were in
accordance with the Indian custom. Nine
of the best horses i'll the camp were picked
out, taken to the grave and shot, the lodge
and blankets burned, and all the squaws
ordered to go in mourning for ten days.
Resuming the conversation, in reply to an
inquiry the Chief said when the party left
here they would proceed TO the head of the
Pipestone and remain there three or four
weeks trapping for beavers.
FRIENDLY WITH THE WHITES.
Tell him that You are friendly with the
whites,' suggested the interpreter.
81 have from a boy been friendly with the
whites, and from the time have been Chief
no white man has eversuffered at the hands
Of my tribe unless the offender was pun
ished. 1t is known all through this col,n-
try that ii one OF my men stole horse he
was always severely punished and the ami
NAL restored to the owner. | must be
friendly with the whites for they have been
friendly with me. The first white settlers |
were the Mormons, and | always treated |
which have been set apart for the rescrva-
ton, and if they let me alone there, will |
ct every one else alone
NUMBER OF THE TRIBE.
''How many are there in your trihc?''
Eleven hundred and eighty all told |
vas in Washington last fall, and there met |
'hiefs from the Apaches, Crows, Sioux and |
ties. \ proposition for me to leave the
Lemhi and go to the Fort Hall agency was
discussed but declined because | do not |
want to leave my present place. ! like it
or the reason that am benefited by the
salmon that come up the river which my
people trap and use for food that they
sometimes need
AGRICULTURE.
''Do you not grow any cropso'
'Not as yet We have just started into
arming. We have about 40 acres now
planted. The Government has furnished
Is with wagons, plows and seed, and am
determined that my people shall make Il
living like the white man. Under the treaty
he Government 81 YES us an annuity for IL
number OF years and that will only last
ew years longer, and | must make the men
work so they will be sef-supporting In IL
title while the country will be settled with
whites and we cannot longer depend on the
ivers and mountains for subsistence and
Or that reason am anxious the men shall
% to farming and the children to school
30 far we have no saw grlst mill, but
lOpe to get them soon.
THE SCHOOLS.
"IIow about schools?''
That question gives us Il great deal Of |
rouble. | am very anxious to get schools,
nut up to the present time have been un-
bic to get one on the reservation; but |
will still work for one. There are on the
eservation over 400 children between the |
ges OF 6 and Is years. | cannot send
hem to the Indian schools in other places,
nd as ! want them all to learn. | will in
list that Il school be established at the |
gcncy.
NO MISCEG ENATION
Don't you think the whites and Indians
hould intermarry?"
"No. The Indian is Il good race. but not
0 good and great as the white. and both
houd remain as God made them. No
Dod to mix
The old chief appearing to be a little res
i've under the questioning, he was thanked
n his answers and hidden adieu after ex-
nnding a cordial invitatio to THE MINER
ian to visit him at his lodge.
A Most Excellent Showing
..'rherp is a very erroneous impression |