The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1890-12-20

Wa ou1NUy ulOA lluk lClG lUl LlldI ScCtlUl
accompanied by Louis Primeau, arriving
there about 8 p. H.. and, having left the
road, usually travelled by me in visiting
the settlement, l got'up on them unexpect-
eddy and found the sghost dance" at its
height. There were about IS men, rs
women, Is boys. and 10 girls participating.
A majority Of the latter (boys and girls)
were until a few weeks ago pupils of the
ment. And, approximately, 200 persons,
lookers-on, who had come to wit
ness the ceremony. either from curiosity
or sympathy, most of whom had their fam.
lilies with them and encamped in the
neighborhood. l did not attempt to stop
the dance then going on, as in their crazed
condition, under excitement, it would have
been useless to attempt it, but after re-
naming some time talking with some of
the spectators, l went into the house of
Henry Bullhead, three miles distant, where
| remained over night, and returned to
Sitting Bulbs house next morning, where
l had a long talk with Sitting Bull and a
plainly to them. pointing out what had
been done by the government for the
Sioux people, and how his faction by their
present conduct were. abusing the conf
dence that had been reposed in them by
the government in its magnanimity in
/ kIdutluk UuCul 1u11 dlullCSGy lOI oil p0St
O%ffenses, when from restitution n immi-
nent starvation they were compelled to
surrender as prisoners of wal in 1880 and
1881, and l dWelt at length upon what was
being done in the way OF educating their
| children n for their W industrial ad-
vancement, and assured them Of what this
absurd craze would lead to, and the chas-
tisement that would certainly follow if
these demoralizing dances and disregard
| of the department orders were not soon
| discontinued. 1 spoke with feeling and
earnestness and my talk was well re:
ceived, and [ am convinced it had a good
effect. Sitting Bull, while being very OBJ
role of sbig chief before his followers,
finally admitted the truth of my reasoning
and said he believed ME to be a friend to
the Indians as a people, but that l did not
like him particularly, and that when IN
doubt in any matter in following my adj
he had a proposition to make to me, which.
if I agreed to it and would carry it out. it
would allay all further excitement among
the Sioux over this ghost dance, or else
convince me of the truth in the belief of
the Indians in this new doctrine. He then
stated his proposition, which was that l
should accompany him on a Journey
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 started the story,
and we did not find the new Messiah, a
described, upon earth, together with the
dead Indians returning to reinhabit this
country, he would return convinced that
they (The Indiansl had been too credu-
lOuS and had been imposed upon, which
report from him would satisfy the Sioux
and all the practice of the ghost societies
would cease, but that, if found to be as pro
fessed by the Indians, they be permitted to
continue their medicine practices, and or
ganize, as they are now endeavOriHg to do.
l told him that this proposition was a nov
ell one, but that an attempt to carry it out
would be similar to an attempt to catch up
the wind that blew last year, but that
wished him to come to my house, whe g !
night, in which time l thought l would
| convince him of the absurdity Of this fool
ish craze, and the fact of his making
\ the proposition that he did was convincing
proof that he did not fully believe in what
he was protesting. and ~endeavorlng SO
however, promise fully to come into the
agency to discuss the matter, but said he
| would consider my talk and decide after
elaboration. I consumed three days in
making this trip, and felt we'll repaid by
| what 1 had accomplished, as my presence
1 IN CQ0lT WluSt~ cuCOuidk0u GHo WodhoI ouu
doubling ones. and set those who are be.
| levers to thinking of the a~dvisability of
/ continuing the practices they are now en-
/ gagged in. l also found that the active
number in the dances were not more than
| half the number of earlier dancers, and be-
ileve it is losing ground among the In
dams, and Fhile there are many who are
half believers. 1 am fully satisfied that !
can keep the dance confined to the Grand
| river district. Desiring to use every reas-
| enable 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
| of their children, l made the trip herein
reported, to ascertain the extent OF the dis
affection and the means of etfecting its dis
continuance. From close observation, l
am convinced the dance can be broken up;
and after due reflection, would respect
fully suggest that, in case my visit to Sit
ting Bull fails to bring him in to see me in
regard to the matter, as invited to do, al
the Indians living on Grand river be mott
fed that those wishing to be known as OPP
posed to the ghost doctrine, friendly to the
government and desiring the support pro-
Vided in the treaty, must report to the
agency for such enrolment and be re-
q11ired to camp near the agency for a few
cine practices, in violation OF the depart
ment orders, to remain on Grand river,
| from whom sustenance will be Withheld.
Something looking. toward the breaking up
of this craze must be done; and now, when
cold weather is approaching, is the proper
time. Such a step as here suggested
would leave Sitting Bull with but few
followers, as all, or nearly all, would re-
port for enrolment, and thus he would be
forced in himself. There are not many
firearms among these Indians, still! there
are q few, and as a pledge Of good faith on
| their part, they should be required to turn
in all their arms to the agent and get q
memorandum receipt for the same. Know
ing the Indians as, I do, l am confident
that I can, by such a course, settle the
Messiah craze at this agency, and aiso thus
break up the power of Sitting Bull with
out trouble and with but little excitement.
| This will be sustained by the public seDti-
ment and conform to the discipline APP
proved by the better disposed Indians. ~
IS true, It would unsettle the Indians OF
that district in their home life for q few
weeks, but after which all worry and un-
easiness would cease, while if the ghost
| practices are continued, all the participants
| being Indians regularly rationed by the
government without any appearance OF q
Withdrawal Of this support, the anxiety
amOng the w~ell-disposed, and q greater
temptation for Others to join, is increased.
The Senate.
.N.LN. a.