Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1888-08-03
DAKoTAs RED DIRECTORS,


some OF the Details of the Commission
Work and Failure at Standing Rock
Agency.
Standing Rock correspondence Bis
marck Tribune, 3lst: To-day's confer
ence was by far the most interesting Yet
held between the commissioners and the
Indians. 1t was the most interesting in
the first pinue because new influences
were brought to bear upon the Indians
and because the Indians showed more
than ever their opposition to the treaty.
Last night the Indians held council in
which every one of their number over lS
years of age was present and speeches
more earnest and fiery than ever were
made by the chiefs. After speeches by
Gsul, John Grass, Mad Bear and others
| OF prominence, vote was taken on the
proposed acceptance of the treaty and
every dusky warrior shcuted aNo." Not
satisfied with this, the most solemn scene
OF the week was enacted by every Indian
taking an oath to the Great Spirit that
he would sign no paper relative TO the
treaty-tbat he would sign neither the
black paper, which meant yes, nor the
red paper, which meant no. Had the
commissioners been cognizant OF these
facts when they met in conference this
morning they would not have been SO
hopeful. The commissioners opened the
conference promptly at 9 o'clock this
morning. all the Indians being present !,
including Sitting Bull, who arrived last
evening. The old rascal is sullen and
| reticent, but he informed an interpreter
!hst he would never consent to
the signing OF the treaty by
any of his friends and that he
thought the proposition was all in favor
OF the white man. After opening the
conference Chairman Prats introduced
Governor Church, who arrived at the
agency last evening. The governor
spoke to the Indians for thirty minutes
and delivered what was considered o
very convincing and effective speech
He did ali he could to convince the In.
dians that the treaty was for their best
iuterests.and evidently made qaite an
| impression upon their minds. Agent
Mol Laughlin then spoke, and as he hes
the utmost confidence of the Indians ii
was thought he would be able to win
them over in favor OF the treaty. He
pleaded earnestly for the measure and
wes followed by Judge Wright, who
| occupied about thirty minutes. But s!l
| of the speeches were without effect so
isr as any evidence of change could be
found in the replies OF the Indians.
John Grass was the first of the In
| dians to reply. He said: ''Why do
you want our lands? Have you not
enough land for the white people? Look
across the river (pointing to the opposite
side OF the Missouri). You will see a
house here and there miles apart. Why
do you white people not take that land
and let us alone? You are not paying
US enough for our land. Fifty cents an
acre is not enough. Our land must be
worth much to the white men, for when
they first come here they are very poor
and after they have been here some time
they are (poiating to the commits
sioners and the governor) dressed
! very we'll. / will not sign either paper"
Grass maintained his reputation as a
cunning speaker, and won applause
from the Indians. Mud Bear spoke next
He opposed the treaty strongly. Among
other things he said in reply to the state,
ments OF the commissioners: 81 do not
believe the great fathers heart will be
bad if We do not sign and / will not
sign" This was pretty discourage
ing to the commissioners but they will
not give up yet and will hold another
conference tomorrow. Sitting Bull
said this afternoon that he would not
consent to the opening OF the reservation,
and the chiefs informed the commission
ers of the action of the Indians in taking
an oath to the Great Spirit that they
would never sign. All interest centers
in Sitting Bull, but he refuses to have
much to say. He would not enter the
circle to-day, but during the conference
sat outside on his pony with Rain-in. the.
Face, who also declined to become 9
, part OF the circle. Sitting Bull. Rain
in-the- Face, Long Dog end Circline
Bear are the most bitter OF the Indians
and those who think they have no in.
huenee among theif race are mistaken
: Il is worthy Of tpnsideration that with
, in few hours tiom the time OF Sittins
Bulls arrival at the agency the oath Il
thu Great Spirit was taken, and as Sit
ting Bull was the medicine man OF Ia,