The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-04-09
Fate OF a rreacherous Sioux,

~ y LIZ ~ i 10 If"
lar OUT 1opping OF a peculiar edrock,
interesting from a geologic point OF
view, but still more SO from its his
toric associations. 1t is the famous
Calumet, or Painted Rock OF the In
priced by them for their pipe
bowls, and as a symbol of the Mani
tou. Hither came warriors, for hun
dreds OF miles, from up or down the
great river, or from far across the
prairies, for bits of this coveted red
stone, painted. as they thought by
the Great Spirit.
Among all these Western tribes q
calumet pipe became a peace.otferine
and a token OF friendly intentions;
and on their visit to the rock, or at
least while near it, the bitterest foes
of enmity. That celebrated pioneer
OF early Wisconsin, John r. De la
Ronde, whose lifeand adventures form
so large n share of the folklore OF the
northwest country, thus describes a
chance visit which he made to the
Painted Rock in-the year 1928:
From Portage we lourneyed across
to the Mississippi. | had heard a
great deal about the 'tpainted rock"
and so, while my two partners, Nc
kenzie and Cadott, We're looking for
good places to set our traps, ! went
up to see it.
Hound the place, and soon discov-
cred the large rock, by the color and
the chippingsroundit. Beieg tired with
my long tramp, | sat down behind q
bush, under one of the bluffs neal by,
to rest; while lying there. ! saw an
Indian coming up on horseback.
Drawing back a little more out OF
sight, I kept hidden, that l might
watch his motions; for | could see by
his rigging OF feathers, paint and weap-
ons, that he wasa chief ofsome tribe,
which | Judged to be the Sioux.
He was apowerful fellow, armed with
a short but heavy bow, shield and
culver OF large arrows; and his horse
was n handsome, proud-stepping On
imal.
When he arrived at the base OF the
bluff, he turned his horse loose, and
then walked about upon the rock in
silence forsomemoments, his lips NOV
ing and working asst engaged i'll pray
ers. Then drawing forth a quantity
of tobacco, he broke it up, and scat
tered it upon the rock.
This ceremony finished, he filled his
own pipe and sat down for a good
smoke, after which he began hammer
ing with stones and his Ratchet, until
he had knocked Off a large piece OF the
rock. This he began to break up into
smaller pieces, each ofabout theprop,
er size for a pipe-bowl.
had Just made upmy mind to show
myself and make his acquaintance
for | concluded that we should not
quarrel,-when | saw another Indian
coming rapidly onhorseback from an
other direction. Anxious to see how
the two would greet each other, l lay
still.
The new-comeradvance at a gallon
till he drew up at the foot Of the same
bluff where the first had halted. Here
he, too, turned his horse loose, ther
walked out on the rock, scattering to
bacco and mutteringhis prayers as the
first had done. Presently he filed HI:
pipe, and then walking along wher,
the first was hammering at his pipe
bowls, took a seat quietly at his side
Having lighted a pipe he drew a few
whitfs and handed it to the first In
dian, who received it,puffed at it tor
moment or two, then handed it back
They seemed by their actions to b,
on the best of terms; but as did no.
see them speak together, at length
became q ittlesuspicious OF their true
feelings towards each other. And | wa
not long held in doubt; for the las
fellow having Knocked off as mucl
stone as he wanted, caught bis hors
and prepared to depart. He a no
nearly so large as the Sioux; but h
was even more splendidly dressed, aft
er the OF a Pyeur, or Chippe
wa chief, and he had q certain fin
style about him that betokened al
Indian of note.
The Sioux, when he saw the Pyeu
preparing to go, made.like prepare
tons; and the two left the bluff tC
gether, riding up in company pas
where l lay hidden. until they wer
three or four hundred yards ava
from the sacred rock. The Sioux the
fell behind the other q little, as if t
part company, and when the distanc
was increased to about twenty yards
he suddenly snatched his bow an
shot an arrow at the Pyeur, quick q
light!
But he missed him. The shaft fle'
far ahead and stuck in the sod.
In an instant the Pyeur wheeled h
horse and had his WI bow draw
For some moments then they pi
, Quilted around each other in beautlfl
style. ButIsaw at oncethat the sma
, Ter Pyeur was the betterhorseman, an
knew best how to protect himself an
, his steed.
: Never once did his h~orsestop swer'
ing and siding, always with his hea
> to the other. 1t vas a rare spectacl
Each Indian had his bow and AFRO
ready drawn, as they almost file
around each other. Then whir! viii
: went both their feathered shafts. Is,
t again the Sioux missed his mark, viii
7 the Pyeur's arrow buried itself ha
it's length in the breast OF the Sioux
: horse. With q pitiful cry the beaut
$ full animal fell to the ground; and b
fore his rider could spring to his fee
) another arrow from the Pyeur's DO
hadstruck him, too, through the hear
, stretching him ~lifeless on the turf.
$ 1t was all the work Of a moment
two; and in even less time than tina
the warlike Pyeur had taken the sea
OF his fallen adversary, remounted al
galloped away.
cannot say that felt much pi'
for the Sioux; his treachery found i
7 punishment.
An old LEDGER kent nv &, HOnesda