, 1890-02-20

OTTAWA, Ont, Feb. h.-Ibo do in.
ion government will appoint commis-
sion to inquire into the truth ofthe state
ment that the child OF an American OH.
GER who was killed In the recent Indian
raid In the Western states Is at present
IN possession OF the Canadian Blackfcet
Indians. IL was sta.ed In parliament
yesterday that preliminary inve,tiga-
tion showed that the child was of Indian
birth.
That the Blackfcct had n white child
among them first became known some
weeks ago. Last fall, when Lord and
Lady Stanley made their overland trip
along the Canadian Pacific railway, they
were accompanied by Mr. Frederick VII
licrs, the artist, who was correspondent
OF the London Graphic.
In one of his letters Mr.. Villiers gave
an account OF their visit to the Hack
feet reservation, near Macleod. lie said
that he noticed very pretty white child,
| . years old, playing with the Indian
children. lie made Inquiries about her
through an interpreter and was told that
she was captured by the Indians during
ono OF their raids across the border.
In writing about the little white girl,
Mr.. Villie1s said she rode a pony, sitting
in high Mexican saddle OF red leather,
bossed with brass nails. "lier attire
was almost regal with Its profusion of
various colored beads. Her little white
face, with small, regular features and
bright gray eyes, stood out Of "A wealth
of golden hair-woll, II would have been
golden but for the alloy Of dust and grit
which besprinkled it," MIR. Nilllew
wrote that she wore rather solemn
aspect, aud she sat with an earnest look
OF wondermcnt while | sketched her.
The little lady was eventually presented
to us, and, sliding down from her pony,
shook hands with all. When We spoke
To her shO showed the usual shyness Of
girls OF D years, covered her uncovered
feet, and looked down her nose, keeping
her eyes on the ground. She never
opened her lips, and seemed eager to
mount her pony, which she soon did.
aud hurried away"
Lord and Lady Stanley tried to induce
,he Indians to give W. the child and
they refused to do So. The publication
Oi the story, which first aroused great in.
tercst here, eventually was brought TO
the att ention oi the United States gov
eminent, ana inquiries were made which
led to the belief that the child il the
daughter Of some American army officer
Killed In battle.
Lieutenant Ahern, of the American
army, came across from Fort benton
and investigated the matter with the as
ststunce OF the Canadian police,
The Indians admitted that they told
Lord Stanley when he visited them that
she was white American girl, but said
that they had not told the truth. Some
claimed that SHE was Il halfbrecd, pure
and simple, and others that slo was tho
daughter of white man and an Indian
woman, and had been picked up by
| winnipeg Jack" 10 whose family she
belongs at Fort Benton.
In any case they refuse point blank to
consider any offer by which they would
lose her, and Lieutenant Ahern returned
10 his post In Montana. He Is, however,
still communicating with Canadian 20.
lice authorities on the matter.
The people OF Mcleod living near tho
Indian reserve, are convinced that she Is
pure white child stolen by the Indians
In one OF their border raids.
MIR. Nilliers was also certain she is q
white girl. lie wrote;
~ never saw n whittier girl In ali my
life. There was no Indian blood In her
veins, though the brave who led tho
pony claimed her as his daughter. This
] can easily understand. The girl would
not otherwise be eligible to draw tho
yearly cnpitation grant and daily rntions
from the Canadian government. AS tho
Indians child she procured him 80 per
annum and pound of meat per diem.
The Blackfcet Indians are said 10 re-
tain more of their original character
than any other tribe, a fact which leaves
| II easy to fancy what is in store for tho
child when she grows up.
Now she Is a little queen, Is the pet of
tho tribe, and is treated with the great
est confederation. She IL the pride ofall
the squaws and the envy of ali the little
Indian children. II is hoped here that
the United States authorities will not
abandon their efforts to trace the child's
history and restore her TO her relatiyes,l