St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-08-02
BEGIN TO WEAKEN.
The Indian Commissioners
Are Feeling Somewhat
Hopeful.
Sitting Bull Addresses the
Indians--His Speech Ex-
ceedingly Tame.
Two Youngsters Attempt to
Wreck a Rock Island
Train.
Mysterious Disappearance Of
an Aged Citizen Of
Dubuque. .
Special to the Globe

STANDING Rock, Dak., Aug. L.
There is no change in the situation at
the agency. The conference to-day was
simply all exercise in catechism, the In
dlans propounding questions to the COM
misSionerS and the commissioners an
swering and explaining. Many of the
Indians were absent, and Chairman
Pratt asked the four chiefs where the
absenteeS were. In doing so he re-
minded the chiefs that they said they
represented all of the Indians, and, if
so, why did they not have their tribes
present. The chiefs answered that some
OF the Indians were very tired of stand
ing in council and were resting in their
camps, while others were
HUNTING FOR THEIR HORSES
which have Strayed away. Sitting Bull
has not spoken to the commissioners,
but he made speech to the Indians in
council, advising them to come to an
understanding at once and get back
to their farms, as their crops
are suffering while they are
kept at the agency. His speech
was very moderate and did not contain
the fire that was expected. After telling
the Indians to come to an understand
ing at once he advised them not to
weaken in their decision simply because
THE COMMISSIONERS REMAINED.
Among the questions asked by the
commissioners was: E.
''Do you believe the secretary of the
interior is lying to you when he tells
you that it is right and just for you to
sign one of these papers, the one mean
ing yes, or the one meaning nO?' The
Indians were also asked if they thought
the commissioners were lying to them.
To these questions the Indians made
no reply, but persisted in talking about
Indians insist that the boundary lines of
their reservation, as shown by the maps
distributed by the commission,
ARE NOT THE SAME
as described in the old treaties. On
this point Louis Agaard, Frenchman,
and William Halsey, half-breed, who
have been among the Indians for many
years, and who are looked upon by the
Indians as their friends, made speeches
The remarks of these men were a great
surprise not only to the half-breeds who
have understood that they were opposed
to the treaty, but to the Indians whose
confidence they have enjoyed. They
INFORMED THE INDIANS.
that the boundary lines marked on
the map by the government are correct,
and that the whites had taken only the
land that belonged to them. The Indi-
ans frequently interrupted these speak
ers and expressed their surprise and
disgust at their arguments in favor
of the whites. The attitude of Halsey
and Agaard has convinced many that
the indians may sign, as they have
friends in all the tribes, and have an
influence which may work for the good
of the whites. The Indians have taken
the treaties of 1868 and 1876 to their
camps tonight and will
HOLD A BIG COUNCIL.
1t is thought that at their council to-
night they will come to final decision,
and that tomorrow may end the con-
ference. To-day's conference lasted but
two hours, and the commissioners adj
Journed until tomorrow at 9 o'clock.
Sitting Bull seems to fear that
the Indians are weakening, and
will do all in his power to hold them to
their decision, not to sign. Until to-day
there was no hope of having the Indians
sign either for or against the treaty, but
it now looks as though they will sign in
the negative. They have beeninformed
that the commissioners will not leave
until they sign one of the papers, and
THEY MAY CONSENT
to sign no. Some of the people at the
agency have hopes that they will at
last consent to the opening of the res
ervation, but there is no good ground
for that belief at preset. The next two
days will be interesting as it is expected
that the conference will close on Friday.
GOV. CHURCH's INFLUENCE.
Gov. Church and Auditor Ward left
the agency this morning EN- route to
Bismarck. The governors speech to
the Indians had good effect, as they
believe he is nearly the president, and
have confidence in what he says.
Several parties deeply interested
in the opening of the reserva-
ton have been here during the
past few days, and are doing
all in their power to convert the In
dians. 1t is reported that runner
from the Pine Ridge agency, with a
message from Red Cloud to Sitting Bull.
arrived to-day, and that the message is
strong appeal to the Indians to remain
this be true there can be little
iiopo VI u q
understanding tomorrow, as the
Indians have great respect for
Red Clouds Judgment in matters of this
character. There can be no doubt of
the fact that the warriors of the tribes
are in constant communication with
each other, and that they have definite
understanding among themselves. The
Indians say that the orators at to-night's
council will be Running Antelope, Gall,
Mad Bear and Sitting Bull.
MIGHT AS WELL GO HOME.
Special to the Globe.
RAPID CITY, OAK, Aug. 1.-Well-n-
formed parties here laugh at the cred
ulity of persons who quote Little Chief
and Standing Elk as head chiefs of the
Sioux nation. Both are confirmed loaf
ers. The impression prevails here that
no Indians whatever will sign the ces-
sion, yes or no. Sitting Bull and Red
Cloud have been in constant cOmmuni-
cation for months and have their plans
well matured. The contemptuous treat
ment of the commission at Standing
Rock agency shows how well these
plans are working. Traders, squaw
| men and half-breeds are solid against
the treaty. People here who know
think the commission might as we'll 60
home at once.
aNVLOUS EnP ETIN