Daily Yellowstone journal., 1888-08-03

ana ii so why did they not have Their
Tribes present. The chiefs answered
that some Of the Indians were very
tired OF standing in council and were
resting in their camps while Others
were hunting FOR their horses which
siruyed away. Sitting Bull has not
spoken % the commissioners, but be
made speech 10 the Indians in couu-
ell, advising them 10 cone To on under.
standing at once and get hack 10 their
farms, ss their crops are suffering
while they are kept at the agency.
His speech was very moderate aud
did not contain the fire which wss ex.
pected. After telling the Indians to
come to an understanding at once be
advised them not to wesken in
their decision simply because the COM
mlssioneTo remained.
Among the questions asked by the
commissioner was: "Do you believe
the secretary Of the interior il lying
to you when he tells you that il il
right and just for you to sign Que OF
these papers-the one meaning yes, or
the one meaning no?" The Indians
made no reply, but persisted in talk
Ing about the treaties Of 1865 and lS76.
The Indians insist that the boundary
lines OF their reservation as shown by
the maps distributed by the commits.
sion are not the same rs described 10
the old tr aties. On this point Louis
Agsard, Frenchman, and William
Hslsey, half.breed, who have been
among the Indians for many year,
aud who are i okc a upon by the In.
dians rs Il eir'friend-, made speeches.
The remarks of these men were
great surprise not only to the half
breeds who have understood that they
were oppos q to the treaty, but TO the
Indians whose confidence they bave
enjoyed. They informed the indiana
that the boundary lines marked On
the maps by the government are Ger
rect and that the whites had taken
only the land that belonged TO them.
The Indians frequently interrupted
these speakers and expressed their sur
prise and disgust ut their arguments
in favor of the whites, The attitude
of Halsey and Agaard has convinced
many that the Indians may sign a.
they have friends in VI the tribee
aud have an influence which may
! work for the good OF the waits.
The Indians have taken the treaties
of 1865 and &c to their amps tonight
and VII hold big council. 1t j.
thought that at leir council 10 night
they will come to final decision snd
that tc.mo row may end the confer
ence. To-day'- conference lasted but
two hours and the commi 7iOners Rd-
journt 4 until Tomorrow ut 8 o'clock.
sitting Bull seems to fear that the In
dians are weak .ng and will do al in
his power to hold them to their deci-
sion not to sign. Until TO day there
was no hope of having the indians
sign either for or sgains' the treaty,
but it now looks s- though they will
sign the negative. They have been
informed 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 hops that they will at
last cousenl to the opening of the res
ervation, but there Is no good ground
for that belief at present. The next
two days will be- interesting. as il IL
expected that the conference will CLOSE
on Friday.
Gov. Cnurch aud Auditor Ward
left the agency to-day, having done
much good work in favor Of the open
ing Of The reservation. The overuor's
speech had lts effect ON the Indians,
a. they consider that he il very near
the president and have confidence in
what he says.