Omaha daily bee., 1889-09-09
NO WONDER GRAs, WAS SICK.
He Used Gargle of Kerosene Oil
For a EWellcd Throat

BISMARCK, N. D., Sept. S.-lSpecial Tele-
gram to The BEE. While there has been
altogether too much moonshine in the report
sent out to the effect that Sitting Bull had
been arrested on suspicion of having poisoned
CHIEF John Grass, the fact remains that
there is no little suspicion and distrust
among the Indians. Grass was not poisoned.
Agent Mclaughlin has just returned from
the bedside of Grass, who has been at the
point of death for some tlme and reports the
great chief convalesccnt. He states au-
thoritatively that Grass was overcome by the
heat, and as one of the effects a swelling was
formed in his throat. To reduce the SWELL
ing he used gargle of kerosene oil freely.
and the strain was so great that it caused
hemorrhage, which came near sending the
great chief of the Sioux nation to the
happy hunting grounds He is now resting
well, and, IN the opinion of Agent McLaugh-
lin, will recover
The report that Sitting Bull had been ar
rested for poisoning Grass was a most ma
licious and mischievous report, started by
some sensationalist, and can accomplish no
good. There is sufficient distrust and sus-
picion against the obs.feperous old kicker
without resorting to untsuth to increase his
unpopularty. The fact is, the Indians adore
Grass, and since his prostration have given
| themselves completely up to their supersti
| tions Many of them are only too willing to
| believe tnat he had been poisoned at Sitting
Bulls instigation, and at private councils
| held by the immediate friends of Grass, Bull
was denounced in the most savage terms.
AS for Sitting Bulls attitude, he looks
upon the illness of his victorious rival with
| c1lm Indifference but neve fails to express
| Sipparp
| the friends of Grass.
| During the past few days the Indians
| Superstitions have taken new and novel
| turn. Hundreds Of them are now convinced
| that the illness of Grass is the Just retriou-
| ton visited upon them by the Great Spirit
| for having signed the treaty deciding their
| lands to the whites, aud are wondering if it
| is possible for them to withdraw their sigma
lures and undo their evil work. One old
| squaw, wailing and bemoaniug as she
| came from the home of the stricken
chief, exclaimed between her sobs "Oh
why did we give away our lands and rob our
children" This expressed the query in the
| minds of a large faction of the Indians who
to the opening OF the reservation, but wht
now believe that they are to be made to suf
fer for their terrible mistake. Here IL is
thought that Sitting Bull has done the poi
souing. He did not poison John Grass, but
he has taken advantage of his sudden illness
following so closely upon his grant
victory in inducing the Indians tt
sign to poison the minds of the Indians
with the same mysterious charm and mex
haustible cunning which made him thei
great leader during the Custer campaign ant
gave him credit for victory which he never
won. He is now monopolizing the friend
ship of the Great Spirit and loses no tune t
convince the superstitIous warriors that h
was in the right when he opposed the open
ing of the reservation. AS proof he point
with awe and crocodile regrets to the man
ner in which the Great Spirit has prostratet
Grass, but IN all probability his plans vii
come to naught, for the prospect of Grass
recovery is good. II Grass should now di
Sitting Bull and his ''Great Spirit" woul
be strong team with the reds.