The National tribune., 1890-04-10
GEES. crook,s coon cLornrs.

Maj.-Cen. George Crook, commanding the
Military Division of the Missouri, arrived here
last week from Chicago to attend, as member,
the final meeting of the Sioux Commission that
last Summer negotiated the purchase of the
surplus lands of the great Sioux Reservation in
Southern Dakota aud which itself rivals in
area most of tho larger States east of the Mis-
sissippi.
His coming reminds me Of another time he
came years ago, to be present ut u great con-
ference of President Hayes with the great
chiefs of the Arapahoes and the Southern Sioux
aud the last time that Spotted Tail ever came
here
great band of noted chiefs had been gath
cred together, and all were placed in charge of
Capt. William Z. Clark, I'd Cav, who-now
dead-was then an Abide Camp to Gen. Crook.
The baud included besides Spotted Tail, such
chiefs as Red Cloud (Mok -pi-a loo tab, Crazy
Horse, Rain lin the Face, and Man Afraidof
| his Horses Of tho Sioux, and Friday and Black
Coal of the Arapahocs.
Capt. Clark ("PhlO," his intimates called
HIM came 10y q different route from Gen.
Crook, and they did not meet each other until
well on during the day of arrival.
When Gen. Crook is around his headquar-
tiers he rarely wears enough uniform to desig-
nate his high rank, and when in the field he
dresses moro like rough cowboy than gem
eral officer but when he starts East, or comes to
Washington on business, Mrs. Crook takos him
in hand and makes him wear good clothes
well fitting and becoming ones too-and high
silk hat replaces the broad brimmed SLOUGH he
loves so we'll.
"PhiIo" Clark was n dashing soldier of the
kind after Gen. Crooks own heart, but when
loosed from duty with troops, and wandering
in the paths of cultured civilization, he was rs
very n dandy in elegance of dress as was ever a
New York or Washington club man.
So il came duly to pass. that when General
and Aid arrived in Washington by different
roads. each was clothed, aud clothed we'll in
garments peculiar 10 the East, and il happened
that neither one had ever seen the other in
such clothing.
The Indians had been taken 90 the old United
States Hotel on Pennsylvania avenue, but
they, tho blooded nobility of their warike
nations. declined fatty TO take quarters there
it didn't suit them. Clark didn't know what
TO do as Secretary of the Interior Schurz had
made the arrangements, and the Indians grew
su:y, SO Gen. Crook was sent for aud came.
Gen. Crook didn't notice Phlo Mt first in the
elegantly dressed aud handsome gentleman who
stood staring in mute astonishment ut the
dressy change in his chief, aud when he recog-
| nized the Aid, he too, stared in rs deep aston
ishment while the writer stood by laughing at
the expressions on each face
"Well, Clark" said the General at last. " I'm
blamed if thought there was such good clothes
in the United States. i never saw you fixed up
that way before; when did you get them 2
You look rs pretty as a painted wagon"
Clark blushed like y modest girl at his chiefs
fusillade, but recovering himself, replied:
We'll, General | didn't think you wore
such good clothes yourself as those you arc in
now. That silk hat knocks me- for / didn I
think you ever wore anything but SLOUGH hat
IN your life"
Crook blnshed this time. while no half
shamedly explained that MRS. Crook makes
me wear these things when / come on here"
and then they shook hands and laughed heart
lily, while the Indian Chiefs stood by IN surprise
at such merrimcnt from tho stern Gray Fox"
whose prowcss had driven them from the war
path 10 for terms of peace.
Maj. Cyrus 5. Roberts, Captain, 18th Inf,
who is now Gen. Crooks Aid, accompanies the
General this time, and is very much such SOL
dier as poor Clark was, and is a war veteran,
too, of the lJ0th n. Y.
" Poor Clarke wrote, fof he has sol we'd tho
great mystery of the world, and passed away
suddenly here in Washington in September
1884. while on special duty. He was as well
known to the Indians of the plains aud moun-
tain regions as Gen Coook himself, aud was the
most perfect adept ia the nse OF Indian sign
language ever known among white men. His
knowledge on that subject wasso thorough that
wien Gen. Sheridan assumed command of the
Army he ordered Capt. Clark here % prepare "a
monograph on the subject OF sign language for
publication for instruction of our officers and
men, and IL was while so employed that his
death occurred. much 10 Gen. Shorldan's grief
No man ever served in the Army who was
loved better by those who knew him, aud Gen.
Crook loved him like son foe his personal
qualities ~ we'll as for his enterprise, energy
aud daring AS Il soldier