Daily Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1882-1893, 1888-08-09
A MERRY WAR,
In Which the Chiefs at Standing
Rock come out Victorious and
the Commission Leave.
The Warriors Render a Final
Decision and Refuse to
Sign the Treaty.
The Reservation will not be Opened.

STANDING ROCK AGENCY, OAK,
Aug. Especial. l-At last the per
sistent and hopeful commissioners
have realized that ignominious de.
feat Ia the matter Of opening the
Sioux reservation stares them in the
face. The uncslled for insults which
Chairman Pratt has given to the
naughty chiefs Of the tribes intensi-
fed the opposition Of the Indians and
instead Of making a "bresk in the
rank and file" of tne braves, solidified
the opposition and cemented the
friendship Of the factions. The mat.
ter was virtually settled to-day when
John Grass arose in the conference
aud informed the commissione that
the Indians would sign neither paper
aud tbs. they would now return to
their farms, regardless of what the
commissioners might say. Grass
made a pointed and telling speech
which met with the applause Of the
Indians and IA soon az he closed the
circle was broken up and the Indians
started for home. All efforts Of Chair
man Pratt to control the Indians
were futile, but Agent Mclaughlin
succeeded in restoring quiet and bav-
ing the conference adjourned with a
sem blsnce OF order. 1t was q
MOST HUMILIATING SCENE.
The representatives of the govern
ment of the United States sent to con-
fer with the Indians were left stand
ing helpless and hopeless while the
Indians, who have repeatedly rem
dered their decision not to sign, left
with contempt depicted upon their
countenances. The conference was
virtually closed last night in the pri.
yate council OF the indians, when
they decided that to-day they would
leave the agency. The reports which
which have been brought by Indian
courItrs from the lower agencies have
been as discouraging as those sent
from this point and the opening ofthe
reservation under the present act is
now considered
AMONG THE IMPossIBILTrIEs.
Red Cloud cent word that the Indians
at Pine Ridge would not sign and that
II the Standing Rock Indians signed,
their action would have no effect upon
his people. 1t is fact, however, that
many of the doubling Indians at some
of fhe lower agencies have been await
ing the action OF Gaul, Mad Bear,
John Grass and and Sitting Bull anC
that the failure at this point virtually
settles the mate beyond al hope o
success. Sitting Bulls social call up
on the commissioners gave Chairman
Pratt renewed hope, but the cunning
old Bull was simply giving him an ex
hibition of his diplomacy and and o
the good training he received while
on the eastern tour. The great maj
Of the tribes Is Chief Gaul aud to day.
actions on the part of the Indians lief
no doubt rs to his power and inhuence
In council whenever he spoke OF th'
attempt Of the committee TO divest hin
of the authority to speak for the In
disns his followers would give vent 4
THEIR INDIGNATION
10 a most startling manner whil'
every declaration that he would re
main firm in his decision not 10 NC
cept the treaty was greeted with tum
ultuous applause. Last night he said
"For many days we have waited her
to hear what these commissioners ha,
to say. They have told US nothinI
new since we said TO them that W
would not sigu. We told them ths
we would not give them our land
and chat we would sign neither pape
and they said TO us that we would b
compelled to Cign one paper. Neve
before did hear that man could b
forced TO sign a paper unless b
wanted 10 and do not believe the
eau force Us. The gr9at father !
Washington never told US that W
would have to sign one paper; th
treaty read to US by our educate
young men does not FAY that we mus
: sign the paper and when these mel
tell us that we can be forced, the.
ne.n At this the Indians sprsng =
their feet and applauaed and whel
quiet was restored John Grass In
brief speech
Il CALLED FOR A VOTE
on the treaty. When be called o
those willing to sign mo" not nm In
dian arose, when he called on thot
who would sign "yes" every man r'
maIned motionless on the ground, br
when he requested those who wouI
-lsign neither paper to rise, every ma