The Delta independent., 1890-03-25
San Francisco Examiner.

>mw wha w1nuss t oup ,r9@ ee
the unique title has been derived.
the mystery of the origin of the
name of this little stream has never
before been mentioned in the history
of the world. And why? Mostlikely
the historians are at fault in the
matter, and may be yet wrangling
overit. But will attempt to enter
tain the patient reader for a few
brlefmoments with a description OF
the wondrous stream which seems
so grand in it's mute eloquence that
must tcandidly admit that I feel to-
tally unable to perform the delicate
task. 1t is very strange that some
wide-awake newspaper or magazine
writer has never bethought himself
to fathom the wonders of the river,
and it is too true that justice can
hardly be done by a pen. Possibly
IN 1uture years a more tacile quill will
bring forth its grandeur and magnifi-
cence.
The shores and bottom of the Can
non Ball river are thickly studded
with stones of all sizes and weights.
But this is hardly anything extraor-
diny, the reader will argue, as there
are many streams lined with rocks
and pebbles. However, these stones
OF the Cannon Ball river are far diff
ferent from those OF it's other watery
sisters, being perfect spheres, each
and every one of them just as round
and smooth as verita BILE cannon balls,
from the diminutive pebble to the
large. ungainly believer. Don't think
Tor moment that am weaving n
fairy tale OF the nineteenth century,
though it reads very much like one;
but the river is still in existence,
bounding gayly along, swelling its
banks with the spring freshets, and
emptying its volume Of clear, pure
water into the muddy, monstrous,
remorseless hosom of the Missouri,
where the many different bodies of
water commingle and dash merrily
into the great Father of Waters, the
Mississippi, which owes it's lease of
life to the "Big Muddy" as the Mis-
souri river is commonly termed
But hold, l am wandering from
my intended subject. This deeply
interesting little stream-theC Cannon
Ball river-is but n few hours ride
from Bismarck, on the opposite shore
of the Missouri, near the famous
Standing Rock Indian agency. Many
residents of this section of the North
west are proud in the possession of
the round stones to grace their flower
gardens, beautify their parks. and
forother ornamentalpurposes. They
make very handsome ornaments and
no one ever visits the river unless
bringing q memento or relic in the
shape of a cannon-ball stone. Ifany
faith be placed in Indian legends /
can possibly explain the mystery OF
the round stones by relating an an
cient legend OF the Sioux tribe, which
even Mt this late day they are fond of
telling their brethren in the dead calm
Of winter evenings as they sit in the
circle OF a cheering brush fire passing
around the conventional, friendly
pipe.
Forty years ago the paleface was un-
known in this region, and the great
powerful nation of the Sioux reigned
supreme in their vast possessions,
little dreaming that the day of the
white man was near at hand to
usurp their power and lands. The
prairie was not unlike n grand bound
less ocean, dotted here and there
with the white skin tops of Indian
wigwams: and log cabin shack
or shanty was never heard of. The
Sioux were necessarily warning their
old-time, blood-thirsty foes, the
Crows, whose number was overwhelm-
ing compared to the Sioux forces. A
fortnight very seldom intervened
without terrible scene OF slaughter
and carnage.
With heavy hearts the venerable
Sioux leaders saw their once grand,
invincible tribe gradually thinning
numbers and strength
The dread news of the Crows COM
ing enmasse was received one day,
and almost Immediately the Sioux
stronghold was thrown into utter
confusion and disorder. They felt in
their hearts that this would be the
decisive struggle, and that one OF the
two tribes would bc exterminated
from the face OF the earth.
The Sioux knew full well that
they were no match for their crafty
enemies, but to fallinto their clutches
meant worse than ordinary death.
The horrors of running the gantlet"
and torturing and burning at the
stake all doomed up before their
dazed vision. As soon as sufficient
order was restored the vetera n leaders