The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-03-04

were killed together, shot right
through, and women who were very
heavy with child were also killed.
All the Indians fled in these three Ill
rectiOn.n
CATER most of them had all been
killed the cry was made that all those
who were not killed or wounded come
forth and they would he safe, and lit
| tie bows who were not wounded came
out Of their places of refuge, and as
soon as they came in sight number
of soldiers surrounded them and butch
cred them there" -
Commissioner, to Interpreter: II
wish YOU would say to him that these
are very serious charges 10 make
against the United States army: L 90
| not want any statements maue thaC
are not absolutely true, and want
any one here that feels that the state.
ments are too strong to correct them."
American Horse "Of course, we all
| feel very sad about this affair. | stood
yery loyal to the Government all
through those troublesome days, and
believing so much in the Government
and being 50 loyal, so my disappolnt-
ment was very strong and 1 have
come to Washington with very great
blame against the Government on my
heart. OF course it would have been
all right if only men were killed. we
would feel almost grateful for it. But
the fact of the killing of the women,
and more especially the killing OF
young boys and girls who are to 60 to
make up the future strength of the
Indian people-those being killed ls
the saddest part of the whole thing,
and we feel it very sorely.
"This is all I know about that part
of the story, and my good friend here
pointing to Turning Hawk will con-
tinue his narrative"
Commissioner "Does American
Horse know these things of his own
personal knowledge, or has he been
told them ?"
American Horse: II was not there
ut the time before the burial OF the
bodies, but did 60 there with some OF
the Indian police and an Indian doc
tor and greet many of the people
from the agency, and we went through
the battlefield and saw where the
bodies were from the track OF the
blood"
The Rev. Mr.. Cook. Sioux half
breed, pastor of an Episcopal Church
at Pine Ridge, who has at times acted
as Interpreter during the conference,
arose, and among other things said: :,
"Much has been said about the good
spirit with which the members of the
7th cavalry went TO that seat of action.
It has been said that the desire to
avenge Clusters death was entirely ab-
sent from their minds. In coming to-
wards Chicago, in company with Gen.
Miles, talked with one of his own
scouts, who was almost killed because
he was compelled to fly with the In
dians, being fired upon by men whom
he tried to serve and help. He told
me that after he recovered from his
flight and succeeded in getting amongst
the soldiers after they all got in from
killing the Indians, an officer OF high
rank, he did not know who, came 10
him and said with much gluttonous
thought in his voice: Now we have
avenged Clusters DEATH and this scout
said to him Yes, but you had every
chance to fight for your lives that day.
These poor Indian people did not have
that opportunity to protect and fight
for themselves. If that is an indica-
ton of the spirit of number of men
in that company I am sure the 7th
cavalry cannot be free from any charge
of going there with other than the
kindeSt of motives simply to bring
these poor people back"
After several others had spoken the
commissioner declared the conference
at All end.