The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-09-03
THE SIOUX TREATY.
About One Hundred Signatures Secured-An
Exciting Scene on Saturday Night.

ST. PAUL, Sept. IA Crow Creek special to
the Pioneer Press says that the council yester-
cay evening was an exciting one, and finally re-
suited in securing nearly one hundred sigma
lures. The council was called at late hour,
and Chief White Ghost was the arst speaker
He lodged the real question aud devoted come
time to old questions and old complaints. He was
followed by several other chiefs, who followed
tho lead of White Ghost. Judge Wright
then made an eloquent appeal to tie Indians to
take advantage OF this act and secure undis-
puted title to the land The Indians had made
a request that large number of Indians ut
Standing Rock be moved upon this reservation,
but when the question of signing was raised they
at once set up tho plea that they had no land to
sell; that they needed it for the rising gene
rations. Judge Wright asked why they
wanted those people to come down here
IL they were short of land, and stated
that it looked as though the Indians were not
playing an open game. Major Anderson in
formed tho Indians that the time for signing
had arrived, as a number were anxious to sign
and return to their homes, and he could no lon
ger bold them back. White Ghost sprang to
his feet and declared that he was not ready to
sign and would not do So He was followed by
. number Of other chiefs, who made similar dec
lsrstlons. The real sensation Of the day came
when Bowed Head, an Indian, eprnng into the
circle and delivered the following urgent appeal
TO the Indians:
8 .I a.a % different path from some OF the
rest OF you. am not one OF the chiefs sitting
there, but / am a mem Der OF the tribune. and
want to make lead for the children. am not
bit afraid Of you because you are men, the
only man am afraid Of is the God in whom I
believe. While on this earth, IL there is any
salvation to save the souls. want to save the
young generations of the tribe. II anybody is
friend of the great father, / thought you chiefs
were his friends; now, you chiefs have spoken or
our forefsthers and their graves upon the hill,
and then thought TO my self, like this. when our
forefathers died, what had they accomplished
for usi What did they do for usl
will tell you what marks they left behind them
AN old campfire. where even now the grass
doesn't grow, and old buffalo bones that we
see on the prairies--tbat is all that is left OF
their work. We can sec the old stones that they
worshiped, still piled up. Young men. do
you wish your children to go In this
wsyl You chiefs. my brothers, my cousins, my
relatives, pray you have mercy on the young
people who are beginning life and have no prop
erty to start with. l do not say these words
because l seek to gain honor for myself
personally. / Go not eay them because
expect my great father to remember me here
after for it. Come forward, you chiefs, and set
us an example. We are waiting for you because
you are chiefs, but il you do not come forward.
we will go forward regardless of you. You may
not think it is good, but know that it is FOOD.
have finished"
young Indian named Williams said that in
the presence of older men he uncovered his
head. He then made the most telling and eff
fec.ive speech that has yet been delivered by
an Indian, calling on the indians, IL they loved
their children aud wished them TO become
educated and made happy and prosperoy to
como forward and sign the paper. He then
walked bravely MP to the table. and, regardless
of threats, placed his name upon the bill At
this action the entire mass of Indians sprang to
their feet, ard for moment a fearful silence
prevailed; then the friends OF thu bill,
including two chiefs, gathered about the
table. aud those opposed, seeing the folly Of in
reference, quietly and individually withdrew
from the council. About sixty names were en-
rolled at the council and about thirty moro later
on at the rooms OF the commissioners
The commissioners confident that nearly
every Indian on the reserve will come ND and
sign during the coming week. There will be no
more councils held, and the work hereafter will
be done at the rooms of the commissioners.