St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-07-25
Growing Belief That the In
dians Will Refuse to Sign
the Treaty.
Ground Broken at Grand
Forks for a Magnifi-
cent Hotel.
A Well Digger Imprisoned for
Several Days By a Cave-In
and Found Alive.
Special to the Globe.


STANDING Rock AGENCY, OAK, July
24.-The roll at the agency this morn
ing showed that of the LOO male adult
Indians on the reservation, less than 100
We're absent, and in all probability they
will be brought in tomorrow. The
commissioners appointed to confer
with the Indians with regard to the
opening of the reservation have shown
their fitness for their positions by the
good impression they have made on the
Indians, who, in private council yester-
day, voted unanimously against signing
the treaty. The large council room at
the agency has been crowded to-day,
the entire time being consumed in the
calling of the roll to ascertain the
NUMBER OF ABSENTEEs.
Notwithstanding the good impression
created by the commissioners. it is evil
dent that the Indians are opposed to the
proposed treaty, and that tomorrow if
the proposition is submitted will
refuse to sign unless they undergo
very radical change tonight. Chief
Gall, who made such an elo-
quent speech to the Indians
yesterday, was seen after to-day's adj
journment and asked if he would sign.
He replied that he would not, and every
chief who has been seen gives the same
answer. The Indians will be in private
council all of tonight, and it is
believed that an attempt will be
made to change the minds of
those who are inclined to sign. Sitting
Bull has not been brought back to the
reservation, and it is reported by the In
dians that
HE WILL NOT ARRIVE
for several days although private adj
be here tomorrow.
1t is believed by many of those in au-
thority that Sitting Bull has lost
all his influence with his people,
but in this they are deceived. Dur
ing to-day's proceedings what might
be considered test vote of the Indians
was taken. A number of circulars
giving the text of the proposed treaty
were laid an a table near the door. The
Indians were instructed to take them if
they so desired. Notwithstanding the
statement of the interpreter that
they were simply for the
Information of the Indians and that
their acceptance would in no way effect
the treaty, they marched by without
even looking at them. They were afraid
that the taking of the circulars
WOULD BE AN EVIDENCE
their willingness to accept the treaty
and very few were carried from the hall.
After the Indians were told to take the
circular, one of the chiefs rose and said,
1--WE are asked to take these papers
while one of our great chiefs is not
here. When he comes back
If he tells us that these papers are right
we will take them, but we will not take
them while he is away"
There was no mistake at to what was
meant. Sitting Bull is the only great
well known that he is bitterly op-
posed to the treaty, the assurance
that his consent will gain the consent
of the Indians is poor consolation.
Another fact which will surprise those
who have believed that the Indians will
consent to the opening of the reser-
walton is that Red Cloud, the great
CHIEF OF THE PINE RIDGE AGENCY,
is opposing it. Several letters from
Red Cloud are now in the possession of
the commission, showing that he not
only opposes the treaty in his own vi
cinity, but that he has been endeavoring
TO increase the opposition among
the Indians here. The only ground
for hope is that the strength
of the commission will overcome the
prejudice of the Indians, but the half
breeds who are here do not believe this
possible. The conference has adjourned
until tomorrow at 9 o'clock.
THE INDIANS HAVE RETIRED
to their camp to hold private council.
which will last all night and during
which some interesting speeches will
be made. If the reservation is opened
for settlement under the proposed
treaty the commissioners will have
accomplished great work and earned
the lasting gratitude of the people of
Dakota. They have a great work be-
fore them. 1t now looks as though the
ll.00O,0O0 acres will not be opened for
settlement.