Wichita eagle., 1890-03-05

Molten Stones
The shores and bottom of the Cannon Ball
river are thickly studded with stones of all
| sizes and weights But this is hardly any
| thing extraordinary, the reader viii argue,
| as there are many streams lined with rocks
| and pebbles However, these stones Of the
/ Cannon Ball river are far different from
those of its other watery sisters, being per-
feet spheres, each and every one OF them
| Just as round and smooth as veritable cannon
balls, from the dimi2utive pebble TO the large,
| ungainly bowlder.
| This deeply interesting little stream-the
Cannon Ball river-is but few hours rids
from Bismarck, on the opposite shore Of the
Missouri, near the famous Standing Rock
Indian agency. Many residents of this Sec
tion of the northwest are proud In the posses
sion of the round rocks to grace their flower
gardens, beautifying their parks, and for
other ornamental purposes. They make very
handsome ornaments and no one visits the
river unless bringing a memento or relic in
the shape of cannon ball stone If any faith
be placed in Indian legends can possibly ex-
plain the mystery of the round stones by re-
lating an ancient legend of the Sioux tribe,
which at even this late day they are fond of
telling their brethren ill the dead calm of
winter evenings as they sit in the circle of a
cheering brush fire passing around the con-
ventional friendly pipe
THE SIOUX BLoODTHIRSTY FOES
Forty years ago the pale face was unknown
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 usllrp
their power and lands
The Sioux were incessantly warning their
old time bloodthirsty foes, the Crows, whose
numbers were overwhelming compared to
the Sioux forces
The dread news of the Crows coming en-
masse was received one day, and almost i'm
mediately 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
be exterminated from the face of the earth
The Sioux knew full we'll that they were no
match for their crafty enemies, but to fall
into their clutches meant worse than ordi-
nary death. The horrors Of running the
gauntlet" and torturing and burning at the
stake all loomed up before their dazed vision
Long Red Dog, the medicine man, appeared
in their midst at this critical juncture, and
around his tall and imposing form the Indians
instantly focked for advice like so many
frightened sheep. A wave OF his long, bony
arm silenced them. Brethren" ne ex-
claimed in trembling accents, as he mounted
a grassy knoll in order that his words might
have the desired effect upon the thoroughly
alarmed Sioux, "uhe Crows have REINFORCED
their already powerful army Some of our
once trusted and faithful warriors are among
They hS va mr. hon alxyec
to the blood that binds them to the Sioux
They have betrayed us and we are doomed to
die an ignominous death The Crows will
swoop down upon our devoted children and
destroy everything in reach. Death and de-
struction mark their path. They are now
but short distance from lis and taxing their
ponies to their utmost speed. We must flee
for our lives. Kill yourselves rather than
fall alive into their power You know the
result. Red Dog has spoken. Mind his
words"
Red Dogs prophetic words enveIoped the
assemblage in somber gloom. The braves
held sharp consultation, and hasty flight
from the camping grounds was deemed meet
and timely The Indians lost no time in pack
ing up all belongings such as were absolutely
necessary, and the balance were placed in a
Crows would gain no plunder The fleeing
Sioux reached the shore of the Cannon Ball
river when the advance guard of the Crows
was discovered on a hilltop not half mile
distant. Further fight was out OF the cues
ton, and the chiefs ordered halt for further
consultation, at which it was determined to
fight the foe to the bitter end.
THE CANNON BALL SHOWER
The Crows were rapidly approaching. and
their e1ultant bowls rang like death kneIl
to the Sioux. The savage horde increased |
and multiplied until there seemed to be no !
limit, and, shouting the ominous Crow war |
song. they dashed pell mel among the s.aul- |
peded Sioux Then the hottest contested |
battle in the history Of Indian warfare ragged |
The devoted little band OF Sioux warriors |
miraculously held its own for short while
Surrender meant death in some horrible |
form, and the Sioux griInly resolved to fight /
while a breath of life yet remained in their /
bodies. Their forces were now slowly giving /
way. Soon they would have 10 succuu1b. |
In another minute the entire tribe would De /
annihilated- Red Dog, the calm, fearless /
medicine man, was about TO give the signal /
for every brave TO kill himself. when sudden /
", without moments warning. e most e1-
traordinsry freak of nature happenei
The heavens assumed o dull. leaden hue.
and q few drops OF rain struggled down. Both .
anita gonistic tribes were efsctualIy rooted % /
the ground IN terror and amazed as they ali /
gaEe1 at the strange, unacco1ntabls be /
harioT Of the elements. " nat could il meant 1
Day was Instantly turned into nigat a. dark 4
as INK The warriors forgot all about con
t!nGilg the battle, and p-oSt-aeed themselves 4
upon the earth. beSeecning ;ae Great Syiris I
70 spare their lives Soon countless numbers 1
OF round, weigkty substances began falling 1
upon the heads of the Crowx Tee Gress
Spirit was raining caEn1u balls upou them
with vengeance. The vivid fasaes q iiSht-
ming and the roar Of thunder made Tue sP@c-
tacle the more ave inspiring The Crows
were ulerciiesSly y-eited- Alter rezaialnr
their senses tbev fed terror stricken from Dc
evll spot. ana when the sun smiled o-lce zaore
upon tie awful sceae i revealed Fn2av dead
on the ground Not a SINGLE ueua 5sr = ia
Sioux rrloe was evsz scainei by t-se falling
stones
Frosz, trat memorable DAY 70 this the SIcsx
hs ve remained 1aEoiestsd oF IT, Crc=TE- gao
firmly believe .as. TIE Sock arr possesse1 cf
powers and eaa eor-ta4za sAs
VI tE4 Great Spirl. :. vii.
" heLAer tee legend = Z d.e1l reeHsv =
SSH. terrible hegpeRErg 81 bvEoas 1ays o. b
fiuIsy fsbricatio1 re11slIs vet % be g1Tgv-.
eled. bat TIE thousands and tkorzssnts r. car
l-a eA- stones scAs.sss5 G2oa tie sroses c: