The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1890-12-19

unexpectedly and found ghost dance
its height There were about forty-flv'
men, Twenty-Five women and twenty boy
and ten girls participating, "a majority
the latter bows and girls until a few weeks
ago were pupils of the day schools of The
Grand River settlements } and approx
;mately, 200 persons, lookers-on, who hat
come 10 witness the ceremony, either from
curiosity or sympathy, most OF whom hat
their families with them, and encampct
in the ncighborhood.
Il did not attempt to stop the dance
then going on, as in their crazcd condition
under the excitement it would have been
useless to attempt it, but after remaining
for some time talking to the spectators,
went to the house Of Henry Bullhcad
three miles distant. where | remained
over night and returned to Sitting Bull's
house next morning, where | had Il long
talk with sitting Bull and number oil
his followers.
II spoke very plainly to them, pointing
out what had been done by the Govern
mcnt for the Sioux people, and how this
faction, by their present conduct, were
abusing the confidence that had been re-
posed. in them By the Government i'll its
maynanmity in granting them full amnesty
for all past offences, when from destitution
they were compelled to surrender as prls-
oners of war in 1850 and 1881, and |
dwclt at length upon what was being done
in the WAY of educating their children,
and for their own Industrial advancement,
and assured them of what this absurd
craze would lead to, and the chastiscmcnt
,l 4 :,,l,. In
moralizing dances and disregard of
department orders were not soon dis
continued.
Il spoke with feeling and carncstness
and my talk was well received, and am
convinced that it had good effect. Sit
ting Bull, while being very obstinate, and
at first inclined to assume the role OF big
chief before his followers, finally admitted
the truth of my reasoning and said he be-
licvcd me to be friend to the Indians as
:. people, but that | did not like him per-
sonally, but that when in doubt in any
matter in following my advice he had al
ways found it well, and that now he held
Il proposition TO make to me, which, II
agreed to and would carry out, it would
allay all further excitement among
the Sioux over the ghost dance, or else
convince me of the truth Of the belief of
the Indians in the new doctrine.
ale then stated his proposition which
was that should accompany him on
journey to trace from the agency to each
of the other tribes OF Indians through
which the story of the Indian Messiah
had been brought, and when he reached
the last tribe, or where it originated, if
they could not produce the man who start
ed the story, and we did not find the new
Messiah, as described, upon the earth, to-
gcthcr with the dead Indians returning to
reinhabt this country, he would return
convicted that they (the lndians) had
been too credulOus and imposed upon,
which report from him would satisfy the
Sioux, and all practices of the ghost dance
would cease, but that if found to be as
proicsscd by the Indians they be permit
ed to continue their medicine practices
and organize as they are now endeavorinS
to do
II told him that this proposition was IL
novel one, but that the attempt to carry
it out would he similar TO an attempt to
catch up the wind that blew the air, but |
wished him to come to my house where
would give whole night, or day and night
in which time thought | could convince
him of the absurdity of this foolish craze.
He did not, however, promise to come in
to the agency TO discuss the matter, but
said he would consider my talk and decide
after dcliheration.
II consumed three days in making this
trip and feel well repaid by what accom-
pished us my presence in their midst en-
couraged the weaker and doubling, and
set those who are believers in thinking of
the ACCESSIBILITY of continuing the nom
scnsical practices they are now engaged
in also found that the active members
in the dance were not more than half the
number of the earlier dancers, and be-
lievc that it is losing ground among the
Indians, and, while there are many who
are half believers. am satisfied that |
can keep the dance confined to the Grand
river district.
"DcsrnS to use every reasonable means
to bring Sitting Bull and his followers to
abandon this dance, and to look upon its
practice as detrimental to their individual
interests and the welfare ofthcir children,
made the trip in order to ascertain the
extent of the disatlcction and the best
measure for ctfccting its discontinuance.
From close observation | am convinced
that the dance can be broken up, and
after due reflection would respectfully
suggest that in case my visit to Sitting
Bull fails to bring him in to see me in
regard to the matter, as invited to do,
all Indians living on Grand river be
notified that those wishing TO be known as
opposed to the ghost doctrine, friendly to
the Governments and desiring the support
provided in the treaty must report to the
agency for such enrolment and be re-
quired to camp near the agency for few
weeks, and those selecting their medicine
practices, in violation of department or
ders to remain on Grand river from which
subsistence will be held.
Something looking toward breaking
up this craze must he done and, since
cold weather is approaching, now is the
proper time. Such step as here sug-
gested would leave Sitting Bull with but
few followers, as all or nearly all, would
report for enrolment and thus he would
be forced in himself
..Thcrc are not many firearms among
the Indians, still there are few, and as a
pledge of good faith on their part they
should be required to turn in their arms
to the agent and get memorandum re-
ceipt for the same.
"Knowing the Indians as do am con-
6dent that can, by such course, settle
the Messiah craze at this agency, and also
thus break up the power of Sitting Bull