Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1888-03-30
QUAINT OLD TREATY.


An Indian Chie-s Present u the Governor
of Nebra .ka.
Three stalwart indians clad in heavy
woo,en blankets, cast off tiles, and
with the smell of a last years teree
upon their garments, invaded the
second story of the capitol building.
and approached the open door to the
Executive Department. For some
reason every reservation Indian in Ne
braska has taken great liking to Gov
ernor Thaver. and the venerable APP
pearance of the Governor has undoubt-
eddy inspired the children of nature
with the impression that he is the
greatest chief that has ever held coun-
ell in the State. and each band of
travelling red men who come and sit
upon the body brussels of the Execu-
tive office, undoubtedly return to their
homes with complimentary reference
to the great chief, that Immediately
starts others on a pilgrimage. The
Governor has treated all these native
visitors in The kindest manner, as is his
custom with all visitors, and it has
brought them out in force. Some days
the reception room has appeared like
n council of war. dozen hearty bucks
being seated on the floor, and they never
make their visits short, for begging is
generally good about the State House.
There is. a smell that fingers for days
after visit from delegation, and it
requires the utmost vigilance of Cap
tain Hill to get the rooms aired for the
next delegation. The three who az
rived the other day were of more than
usual note. as ignorant of English as
the widest, and the chief drew from
the breast pocket of his coat-an
ancient broadcloth that had done
society work in Omaha well-worn
envelope that held an equally we'll
worn parchment. which. upon being
unfolded, proved to be the written
and the Omaha Indians in 1925
While the braves, disdaining the chairs
proffered, seated themselves upon the
floor, the newspaper men present ex-
amined the faded parchment, and it
proved to be the original document we'll
preserved for sixty odd years. A note
to the Governor explained to that
official that the chief wanted it copied,
as it was worn so badly. and after
many gyrations and gesticulations. the
braves were made to understand that
it would be done and that they should
return on tho following day The
treaty is an interesting one
historically and remarkably well
preserved. 1t was made at Fort
| Atkinson and bore date of attest alton,
October 6. 1925. This Fort Atkinson
was at the point afterward designated
Us Fort Calhoun, in Washington
County. The treaty, after reciting in
long preamble the mutual admira-
ton each race had for the other. stipu-
lated in detail what each party to the
agreement should do. The white men
were to establish trading post, to as
sst them in protection from native
enemies, and the Indians were to re-
frain from numerous depredations. the
principal of which seemed to be horse
stealing. On the part of the Govern
ment the treaty was signed by Briga-
dier-General Atkinson and Benjamin
O. Fulton, adjutant Michael Burdcau
made his mark as interpreter, and q
long row of the names of chiefs with the
meanings of their names followed
Some of these names and meanings are
worth reprod For example
Opatoga, the big elk; Ohoshingo. tn,
man that cooks little in small ettle
Shongisca, the white horse; Tarvettce
the side of a buffalo; Mohpemance. the
man that lays on his arrows few, the
number that pierre, him. The ole
document would make a valuable ad
dtion to relics for tho State Historical
Society. -Lincoi,, (Neh) Letter.