St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-03-17
WIEN The HEAVENS FELL.
a Weird Tale of the Cannon Ball River
il Dakota.
BATTLE BETWEEN INDIANS.
While the Battle Was Fa1ing the Sky
Suddenly Poured Forth Shower
of Molten Stones.

this little stream has never before been
mentioned in the history of the world.
And why? Most likely the historians
are at fault in the matter, and may be
yet wrangling over it. But l will at
tempt to entertain the patient reader
for few brief moments with deScrip-
ton of the wondrous stream which
seems so great in its mute elOquence
that | must candidly admit that l feel
totally 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 future years more
facile quill will bring forth its grandeur
and magnlficene.
The shores and bottom of the Cannon
Ball river are thickly studded with
stones of all sizes and weights. But
this is hardly anything extraordinary,
the reader will 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 perfect
spheres each and every one OF them
Just as round and smooth as verltable
cannon balls, from the diminutive peb-
BILE to the large, ungainly boWlder.
Don't think for moment that L am
weaving fairy tale of the nineteenth
century, though it reads very much like
one: but the river is still in existence,
bounding gaily along, swelling It's banks
with the spring freShetS. ard emptying
its volume of clear, pure water into the
muddy, monStrous, remorSeless bosom
of the Missouri, where the many differ
ent bodies of water commingle and dash
merrily into the great Father of Waters
the Misslssippi-which owes its lease
of life to the big Muddy" as the Mis-
souri, river is commonly termed.
But hold, | am wandering from my
intended subject. This deeply interest
ing little Strpam-the Cannon Ball river
is but few hours ride from Bis
marck, on the opposite shore of the Mis-
souri,. near the famous Standing ROCK
Indian agency. Many residents of this
section of the Northwest are proud IN
the possession of the round rocks to
grace their flower gardens. beautify
their parks and for other ornamental
purposes. They make very handsome
ornaments. and no one ever visits the
river unless bringing memento or relic
in the shane of cannon-ball stone. LII
any faith be placed in Indian legends, L
can possibly explain the mystery of the
round stones by relating an ancient
legend of the Sioux tribe, which at even
this late day they are fond of telling
their brethren In the dead calm OF win
ter evenings as they sit IN the cllcle OF
cheering brush fire passing around the
conventional friendly pipe.
Forty years ago the paIeface was I'M
known in this region, and the great,
poWerful nation of the Sioux relgned
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
a grand, bOundlesS ocean, dotted mere
and there with the white skin tops or
Indian wigwams, and log cabin, snack
or shantv was never heard OF. Inc
Sioux were necessarily warning on their
oId-time, bloodthirsty foes, the crows,
whose numbers were overwhelming
compared to the Sioux forces. A tort
night very seldom INTERVIEWED without
a terrible scene Of slaughter and car
mage.
With heavy hearts the venerable
Sioux leaders saw their once grand. in
vincible tribe gradually thinning in
numbers and strength.
The dread news of the Crows coming
en- maSse was received one day. and
almost Immediately the Sioux strong
hold was thrown into utter confusion
and disorder. They felt in their hearts
that this would be the decisive strug-
gle. 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 ordinarv death. The
horrors of running the e untlet' and
torturing and burning at The stake all
loomed up before their dazed vision. AS
soon as sufficient order was restored
the veteran leaders at once dispatched
a small party of recOnnoiterers to sur
vey the situation and locate the Crows.
Several hours elapsed, but the scouts
failed to report.
Their bloody scalps were then dang
ling at the girdles of the enemy. The
scene of CONSERVATION was now re-
peated tenfold. The squaws, papOoses
and old and disabled warriors huddied
together in frightened group, while
the active braves prepared for the fierce
onslaught which was soon to follow.
Long Red Dog, the medicine man. ap-
reared in their midst at this critical
iuncture, and around his tall and i'm
posing form the Indians instantly
locked for advice like so many fright
ened sheep. A wave of his long bOEy
arm silenced them. "Brethren," he
exclaimed in trembling accents, as he
mounted a grassy knoll in order that
his words might have the desired effect
upon the thoroughly alarmed Sioux,
ssthe Crows have reinforced their
already powerful army. Some of
our once trusted and faithful
warriors are among them. They have
proved themselves traitors to the blood
that binds them to the Sioux. They
have betrayed us and we are doomed to
die an ignominious death. The Crows
will SWoop down upon our devoted
children and destroy everything in
reach. Death and destruction mark
their path. They are now but short
distance from US and taxing their
ponies to their utmost speed. We must
flee for our lives. Kill yourselves rather
than fall alive inuo their power You
know the result. Red Dog has spoken.
Mind his words"
Red Dogs prophetic words envelOped
the assemblage in somber gloom. The
braves held sharp consultation and a
hasty fight from the camping grounds
was deemed meet and timely. The In
dians lost no time in packing up all be-
longings, such as were absolutely neces-
sary, and the balance were placed in
a heap and fire set to, that the re-
vengeful crows would get no plumber.
The fleeing Sioux reached the shore of
the Cannon Ball river when the advance
guard ofthe Crows was discovered on
hill top not half-mile distant. Further
flight was out of the question, and the
chief ordered halt for further consul
tation, at which it was determined to
fight the foe to the bitter end. The
wild. demoniacal bowls of the Crows,
eager to pounce upon the almost help
less Sioux, mingled with the wailing of
the Sioux sQuaws, the sharp, terrific
cries of the papooses, and the appre-
hensiye grunts of the braves, depicted a
scene that would rival Dante's "In-
ferno." The Crows were rapidly ap-
preaching, and their eXultant bowls
rang like a death-knell to the Sioux.
The savage horde increased and multi
piled until there seemed no limit, and,
cbo,+;nr tha oninnuc Crow Uar copu