Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-05
THE SIOUX WILL SIGN.
John Grass Makes a Break from the
Opposition aud Hundreds Follow.


A telegram to the New York Herald from
Standing Rock agency, n. D., August 8, says:
The break at this agency has been made. The
commissioners are jubilant and the awaiting
settlers surrounding the towns, who have been
wired that the Indians are signing, are wild
with delight After two days DELAY the
Indians, headed by John Grass and Mad Bear,
decided to accept the treaty, and during all
to-day they signed almost rapidly as they
could be brought to the polls The scene
among the Indians when il was learned that
John Grass was willing to sign was Of the most
sensational character
SITTING BULL SCORES JOHN GRASS
AT the council Of the reds last night Sitting
Bull made the first speech, and the scathing
that he gave John Grass and Mad Bear was ap-
Piauded by his bands and denounced by the
followers Of Grass. He said he always thought
that John Grass was too friendly with the
whites to be friend Of the Indians. But when
At last years conference Grass stood firm
against signing the land to the whites he was
willing to shake him by the hand and take him
IN confidence, but now be saw that his first esti-
mate OF the Indian whom the whites had fat
tered by making him chief Justice of the agency
was correct. He wanted Grass to explain how
the change OF heart was brought around,
whether by considering carefully the interests
Of :he Indians or by accepting brides from the
whites.
At this point in Sitting Bulls speech the ex1
citement was at its height There were no
whites within sight of the Indians and as they
were by themselves, miles from the agency,
they felt free to express themselves. When
Sitting Bull intimated that John Grass had been
brIbed the followers Of Grass raised from the
ground and filled the air with the most IN
earthly yells of excitement They crowded
toward Sitting Bull, and but for the appearance
of Gall, who had thus far been silent, there
would have been fight.
GRASS REPLIES TO SIT TING BULL.
But Grass was firm, and, the council having
regained composure, Grass replied to Sitting
Bull in the most sarcastic and diplomatic speech
yet delivered at the agency. He said he did not
pay much attention to Bull, as he had never
been right IN any of his advice to the Indians,
and If his counsel had been followed the Indians
would never progress. Grass said he had
studied night and day, had listened carefully to
all that had been said by the commissioners
and had consulted Agent Mclaughlin. who had
always been their friend, and he was confident
1t was best for themselves and their children to
accept the treaty. This sudden change on the
part OF Grass was almost great a surprise to
the whites Rs to the Indians. When the Indians
met the commissioners in council to-day the
first to sign was john Grass, who was followed
by Mad Bear and Big Head. and the three
bands, headed by their chiefs, then signed as
fast as they could get to the paper.
BULLDozINa ATTEMPTED.
Sitting Bull and his band created a sensation
by riding up in war costume and attempting to
drive the friendly tribes from the council, but
General Crook put quietus on the vicious old
CHIEF by reminding him that he was no longer
master OF the situation and that he would be
made to suffer If he attempted to bulldoze
Sitting Bull and his band then persisted in
breaking up the council by standing ON the
outside aud shouting to the Indians to leave
their leaders who had sold them out But they
were not successful The Indians remained
true to Grass, Mad Bear and Big Head and
signed the treaty.
Before requesting the Indians to sign
speeches. were made by Maj. Warner, Governor
Foster and Gen. Crook. Mad Bear wanted the
pony question cleared up. Chief Wolfe wanted
the commissioners to promise the indians a
beef for every three men among the Indians
and John Grass demanded that the western
boundary OF the reservation be clearly defined
and that the commissioners promise to use
their influence In behalf of the Indians with the
great father at Washington.
GENERAL CROOKS PROMISES.
General Crook promised all that was asked
and said that he would endeavor to have the
government pay for the ponies that were taken
from the Standing Rock Indians These expla-
nations and promises satisfied Grass who then
expressed his willingness to sign Sitting Bull and
ms Indians greeting his remarks with cries OF
shame, Coward, Woman heart and num-
erous similar epIthets of scorn and derision
Over four hundred signatures were secured to-
day and six hundred more will make the treaty
snd open eleven million acres of land to settle
meDt- 1t Is said here to-day that Chief Gall.
who has the largest band on the reservation. is
inclined TO favor the bill, but that he wants
more time to consider. If he gives his con-
sent there will be little doubt of success. as his
band alone will give over half of the required
number. 1t looks as though the commission
ers viii succeed.