Omaha daily bee., 1889-06-05
The FIRST TREATY COUNCIL.
Talking With the Sioux About Open
ing the Reservation.
ISSUING THE BEEF RATloNs.
Governor Foster Made an Eloquent
and Effective Appeal to the In
dians-The Bill Read and
Explained.
Mutua, ana Ind,yidun, Councils


ROSEBUD AGENCY, Oak, June Especial
Telegram to THE BEE. The first council
held by the commission with the Sioux, on
the bill opening the reservation, occurred
this afternoon. The morning was given to
the issue of rations and beeves of the latter
260 are issued every ten days. one beef for
every thirty people.
To one unaccustomed to this, 1t is a strange
anu startling sight. The cattle are placed in
the bic corral and issued through chute by
ones and twos. At the end of the chute and
on eacn side is long line of mounted Indians,
armed with repeating rifles. AS the cattle
come out the names of heads of families, or
bands are called by the interpreter. In
stantly number of Indians start at full
run on their ponies, and at short distance
begin firing. All over the plain can be seen
chasing Indians and dying beeves,
the firing sounding like the
rapid discharge from skirmish
| line. AS many of the cattle are wounded
several times before death and frequently
cross each others paths, it is wonder the
| Indians do not frequently kill each other, yet
accidents are very rare.
The council was composed of several hun
| dred chiefs, head men, and representative
Indians, number being here from the MIS-.
| souri, River agencies and Pine RIDGE by the
request of Swift Bear, head chief, and others.
| The commission selected Louis Richard as
| interpreter.
Agent Spencer opened the council by
| briefly stating the object OF the commission
ers, for which, he said, they had been sent
| by the great father tor their mutual benefit.
| The bill of last summer did not suit
them, and congress had made
| a better one; which, as their friend, he be-
| lieved they should accept. They knew Gen
! eral Crook, and that he would not lie to
| them, and Governor Foster, and General
Warner are equally true, in looking after
| their best interests.
Governor Foster delivered an impr essive
| speech, which from the deep interest OF the
| council and an occasional grunt of satistac
| tion, seemed to have much weight He ex-
| planned their object in coming to them; the
| actual need of opening up the great wall be-
| tween the two Dalota tas which must neces-
| sarily cause hard feelings in the future be-
| tween the red brother and the white if not
| done; that they could not expect to live as
their fathers ooo that hat the land asked lasi
| than that of last year. with
largely increased pay; and that the govern
ment wanted nothing but their good, and to
be at peace forever, and lead them forward
| iu schools, churches and civilization that
| they might share their country's glory.
| This, he said, was an opportune time for
| step in the right direction, and the time
| would come when they would not only sup
| port themselves but sell to their white
neghbors. They had, in accepting the bill
| $50 acres to the person, and with what the
| government gave them for the ceded land
their property would be greater than any
| people on earth.
| General Warner then read the bill, and
had it carefully interpreted, in conclusion
saying the Indians had faith in General
Crook and he trusted they would accord
| equal faith to Governor Foster and himself.
The council adjourned until 10 o'clock to-
| morrow
A big council is now in session in front of
Spotted Tails house, where The bill and the
| speeches are being fully discussed and ex-
planned 1t is believed, here, thai one-half
| of the Indians have already concluded to
sign, and with little time and patience, that
all may understand the conditions, the COM
mission will eventually secure the necessary
| number of signatures.