Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-07-04
A CAMP OF THE SIOUX.


would not lead the most simple to believe
that he was under the roof of ruler and.
monarch. A small cooking stove at one
end of the spacious quarters, with the:
pipe projecting through the sod roof, to-
gether with a number of pots, kettles
and pans, furnishes the means of cooking:
the government rations which "Bulr" re-
ceives bi-weekly from good Uncle Samuel.
A couple of beds, several chairs, some-
tables, etc.-not of the walnut or ma
hogany order, but substantial and dura-
BILE, evertheless-occupy other parts Of
the room, which is arranged with view
of utilizing space rather than that of ar
tistic display. The floor of the room is "a
of matched boards, the cleanliness OF
which is not hidden by the skins of wild.
beasts or Turkish rugs. The walls are de:
void of plaster, except the visitor choose
to call plaster the mud which fills the
crevices between the logs. 1t is matter
of wonder, perhaps, that no scalp-locks.
decorate the walls of the dwelling, but
such is the case. Neither are there to Be
seen any hard-faced shields of raw buff
falo hide, hunting and scalping knives
sheathed in beaded buckskin, bows and
poisoned arrows, war clubs, firearms or
other implements or trinkets which might
carry recollections back to the days when
such things were common among his kind.
In fact there is nothing in or around the
buiidlng-exceptt the coppery faces of its .
lnmates-which tend to show the primi-.
tiveness of their former occupations and
pursuits. Like the buffalo they once de-
lighted to chase-all gone. A rake and
hoe leaning against the wall where
"Bulr" often quietly sits to smoke his
pipe are evidences of the pursuits which
now occupy his attention. A careful look
at the old chief does not disclose to view
profusion Of fringed buckskin, and no.
eagle feathers adorn his head, as of yore.-
A pair of jeans incases his lower imhA
and his heart throbs under the clinging
embrace of hickory shirt. The moe
casins which protect his feet, and the
narrow strips of otter skin which are en-
twined with the two plaits of straight
black hair falling down in front Of either
shoulder, are the only remnant of the
costume which was once his pride. His.
rations, amount in money value to less
than S35 per year for each individual.
But the fact must not be lost sight OF
that means are provided all the Indians to-
raise articles of subsistence for their own
consumption or for sale, and that they are
clothed by the department. Beside all
this, "Bull" receives $40 monthly salary
for nine months of each year in payment.
of his services as an Indian dis
trict farmer, twenty-five Indians being
employed in that capacity at this place.
"Bull" is the latest addition to this class
of toilers, he having been appointed last
| month. He has been extremely anxious
| for several years past to secure such an
| appointment, but he was doomed to wait
a long while-until he developed fitness,
for the position. Since taking charge OF
his distict it is reported that on one or
| two occasions he became enthusiastic over
his agricultural labors, hut the story
comes without the authority Of notariak
seal, and it IS given in the same way.
"Bull" cannot be termed progressives
Indian, like many who are at this agency.
| vi nuSpduOIH AO AAuo llGViO bhOuEhss uANA'
his innate passion for admiration and
homage, which have been administered.
to him in extremely large doses by many
fool worshipping whites, has caused a.
still further development of his vanity
and egotism, until he now believes him
self to be the head leader of the entire
Sioux nation. His more modest nature
If he ever had any-is completely
spoiled. He is very reticent, and no lit
tie difficulty is experienced in drawing
him out, which can be done only by one
who can speak his language. He pro-
tests not to understand or speak English,
notwithstanding he has been known on
several occasions to inform his white
brothers in a voice and manner that
would reflect credit on a Chicago street.
mendicant that he was entirely out OF to-
bacco.
|