Wichita eagle., 1888-09-25
STORE,
STANDING ROCK AGENCY.
SCENES At THE DISTRIBUTION OF
BEEF AMONG THE INDIANS.

A Crowd Of savages Waiting for Their
Bi-MonthIy Issue of Rations-At tho
Slaughter Pen-Sitting Bull and Gaul.
The Crier.
Early on Oct. 2, 1856, was comfortably
seated in an open blackboard, with my knees
under a buffalo robe to keep out the cold, and
the thriving town Of Mandan, Dakota, was
rapidly disappearing behind me. had COM
menced the fifty mile ride southwark to Fort
Yates, on the Missouri river, where is the
famous Sioux agency known as Standing
Rock agency.
Late that afternoon we drew near the
agency. We passed many Indians ON foot,
or riding their ponies. Tepees or Indian
tents began to appear in great numbers
Crowds Of Indian boys, clad even on this
cold day in only cotton shirt and deer skin
moccasins, were playing in the road. Each
boy had bundle of long darts, which he
would throw by resting the dart upon the
ankle of one foot held in the air for that pur-
pose, and then giving the rod sudden jerk
with his hand. 1T was wonderful to what
distances and with what accuracy they would
throw these darts. My companion told me
that these villages of tents were only tempo
rary, and that upon the following Monday
night the tepees would be pitched far apart.
The Indians had collected here now for their
bi-monthly issue of rations. On the follow
ing morning, which happened to be Satur-
day, the cattle would be killed and the beef
distributed and on Monday the other COM
ponents of the ration, consisting of -four,
meal, salt, sugar, coffee and pork, would be
issued. Saturday is known as ''kiljng day."
and very full of interest found it.
AT THE SLAUGHTER PEN.
The next morning the officer at Fort Yates,
whose guest was, suggested our driving to
the Killing learned that there were two
slaughter pens, one north and one south of
the post, and both distant about two miles
from it. The slower killing" is attended to
first, all the Indians living on that side of the
post receiving their beef there. Each head
Of cattle is carefully inspected and branded
before the killing commenced. When we ar
rived at the Flower killing" we found an
enormous crowd of Indians, numbering prob
ably 5000, while coming in across the prairie
on the numerous trails leading to the cattle
pens were hundreds more, walking, riding,
driving oxen or leading ponies Most OF the
Indians rode bareback or with only blanket.
Their ponies are hardy little beasts, and are
said to be descendants from Arabian stock
which were introduced into Spain with the
Saracens, and into America by Cortez and
his followers. l have frequently seen one Of
these tough little animals trotting along with
three complacent, full grown Indians on his
back
The inspecting and branding of the cattle
had already been completed, and the shoot
ing commenced when we arrived. The cattle
were confined in an open stockade and were
shot down from the outside by Indians de-
tailed for the purpose. The two sides of the
stOckade not in range of the rifles were
crowded with Indians of all ages and both
sexes, while from the vantage ground of
their wagons many more were looking on
with brutal pleasure. Eagles feathers and
like ornaments frequently adorned their per-
sons, but their principal clothing consisted
in nearly every case by dirty government
blanket When poor steer was struck in
some spot that was not vital grunt Of salts
faction and pleasure arose from 900 Indian
threats at the wounded animals suffering
Sitting here and there in little groups were
some old fellows whose age had cooled their
love for bloodshed. They were calmly and
silently passing the long stenlmed Indian pipe
around the little circles On one side were
the Indian traders, busy bargaining for the
hides of the animals that were being shot
down
SITTING BULL AND GACL.
Ny host pointed out to me a buck who
was, perhaps, 80 years of age. He was tall, and
had slight stoop in his shoulders. He wore
moccasins, trousers and blue checked cot
ton shirt. On his head he had an old black
hat. nth the skin and head Of large hawk
pinned to its crown. Over all was the blan-
ket, and in his hand was the long stemmed
Indian pipe. This man was Sitting Bull
Among the white men, as well as in his own
tribe, he has a reputation for dishonesty,
cunning and treachery. Gaul, q rival chief,
of whom Sitting Bull is very jealous, il o far
more remarkable man His face ia strong
one, and full of character. When introduced
to me he looked me full in the facs, and
grasped my hand as though he meant it
Gaul recognizes the fact that 1t IL useless for
bis people to fight the whites, and for that
reason he is a counselor for pace. Sitting
Bull, on the contrary, Is constantly encourag-
ing dissatisfaction Should the Sioux ever
take to the warpath, it is most probable that
the more civilized under CAM VIII remain at
peace, while the others under Sitting Bun
viii make the trouble.
An impo- tant person at these killings Is tbs
tribe '.c-ier.n He was en- old buck Of lusty
lungs, who. standing upon small bin, pro-
claimed a feast, and advising al 70 I'll thorn
selves while the opportunity offered
Other vocal sounds Of . more luguhrious
character were heard or Al sides- One
woman was seated On the ground, rocking
herself to and fro, uttering most pt.eous
walls. Other women In various attitudes
were wing with her IN producing the most
rnournful sounds These werc rnorrns-s, de-
plor;nS the taking OF Of some near relative,
or briSh. and shining light In tie tribe.
These deaths arc, however. geoHally kept
score. II possible until tie following annual
census, IL order TIA: TIE surviving r,e<1beu
Of the family may enjoy The ratocs Of tie
deceased brother or SISTER.
Ons beef creature isali0ved for . certain
number Of Indians who are grouped accord
ingiy. When the shooting was over shs
stockade gates were opeoed- and one repro
sentative from each group puxbed forward
with els yoke of oxe. or team of p'o.is eager
to seize upon tie biggest AID fAssess s1ser.
~-sA L.