Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-06
GEN. CROOKS NARROW ESCAPE.
Chased by an Angry Indian Whose Leg He
Had Burned With q Hot Poker.

Chased by an Angry Indian whose Leg He
Had Burned With . Hot Poker.
The present trouble with the Sioux in Dakota
IL bringing to the surface many old stories
about Indians and Indian fighters, particularly
about the late Gen. George Crook, who was re-
garded during his lifetime by many people Is
having more intimate acquaintance with the
Indian and his traits than any other white man.
He had lived in their region so long and had
taken such an active interest in them that he
was thoroughly posted as to their traits, ten
denotes and needs, and their ways Of thinking
and doing. This knowledge was utilized in his
campaigns against them with great effect, and
frequently his success in satisfactorily solving
tough aboriginal problems was due more to his
acquaintance with the natures Of the people
whom he was fighting than to any other cause.
He was asked by trader once why he did not
make an advance SO as to hurry up the Indians
in something that it was desired they should
do, and he replied: Il suppose that If 1 were to
go out there"-indicating a vast field in front
OF has headquarters between him and the Indian
camp---''and sit down and do nothing at all
should be able to get the Indians ~ hurry faster
than If pushed the campaign in the way of
active hostilities." Future events showed the
wisdom of his idea.
10 MAKES HIMSELF AT HOME.
When he was a lieutenant, serving on the
plains" as the entire western country was
called in those wild days, he encouraged the
friendly Indians within reaching distance of his
post, wherever it might be, to come to his
quarters and visit him, SO that he might study
their characteristics and become thoroughly
acquainted with the ways and languages of the
various tribes with which he was brought into
contact. Hence it was that Crooks quarters
whether house or tent, were usually provided
nf SIT 40 20
slowed away in some section or other making
himself perfectly at home for if there is one
thing above another that an American Indian
can do in thoroughly artistic manner it is to
rtilize the advantages OF hospitality on the
part of some one else to the last extreme
Finally, Lieut. Crook grew little tired of
having Indians come into his quarters at all
hours and spread themselves all over the prem
ises, SO he began to play pranks on them to in
duce them to be little more careful about
their visits He therefore began series of
practical jokes upon them, one OF which is still
told by those who heard of it at the time with
great gusto.
GETTING RID OF AN INTRUDER.
great fellow of the regulation copper hue
walked into Crooks house one day in the win
ter, without any sort of warning. as was the
turned his back to the blaze and, lifting his
blanket slightly, proceeded to warm the calves
OF his legs, to the great annoyance of those as
sembled. The Indian was perfectly compla-
cent and tiiled, with true aboriginal stupidity,
to take the various hints that were thrown AT
him. until he received Il most decidedly con-
vincfng one at the hands of the host. who. on
the pretense of fixing the fire, walked around
the lmmovable figure before the crate and
heated the poker slightly and then gave with it
an alopathic application to the bare skin of
the Indians leg.
There was "a we'll and n uboo,, % %l,a ,,,o