The semi-weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1890-1891, 1891-02-11
POW WOW At WASHINGTON.
The Much Talked OF Indian Conference
Begun at the Interior Depart
ment.
SECRETARY NOBLE STARTS The BALL,
John Grass, Hollow Horn, Two Strike,
and Others Indians to
Speak.
The Indians Favor Civilians for
Agents in Preference TO
Military.

| " nohiN'ioAN, VU. t.--1 lC CONFERENCE
between Secretary Noble and the Siou,
Ludian delegation was begun this morn
ing at the interior department. The sec
retary of war and Mrs. Proctor and Miss
Proctor We're present and also the wife Of
Secretary Noble and Miss Halstead
Others prominent in the work for Indian.
were interested spectators. The confer
ence was opened by Secretary Noble who
said
You were represented here Just after
the agreement with Gen. Crook was
made. You made certain requests and
complaints at that time and you received
certain promises from me. There has
been trouble since then and you have
come again to say what you think proper
as to the cause of that trouble and to
make further complaints you see fit. The
secretary is here to tell you that he has
| kept his word, Int if there Is anything
more he can do, through friendship for
the Sioux, he is ready to do it. He is
your friend and The Great Father has
told him to be your friend. He wants
you to talk to him as friend and he
will meet you In the same spirit.
The secretary then asked if the In
dlans had made auy arrangements about
speakers. He could not hear them all,
but he would listen to few and he de-
sired them to speak briefly. He added
that if no objection was made he would
hear from John Grass, Hollow Horn,
Bear, American Horse, Two Strike, Hump
and Young -Man-Afraid ofHis-Horses. In
response Louis Rencolter said that this
arrangement was not satisfactory, as it
was desired that each agency should be
represented IN speakers. The secretary
replied that he would hear John Grass
and American Horse and then take
counsel with them as to who should fol-
low. John Grass then came forward.
Rev. G. y. euok, Episcopal minister, Mt
Pine Ridge, acted as interpreter. Grass
at once began to speak of the recent
trouble among the Indians, the origin of
which he did NOT know. They had come
for the purpose of comforting with the
secretary in regard to the matter. The
Indians, he said, did not desire to be-
driven back to their wild life, but wished
to consult with the president so as to de-
termine upon the future. The Indians
desired that the agents should be civil
rather than military. In the past
he SAID, Indian agents had opportunities
to steal, but now IL was difficult for them
to adopt such practices. Agents in late
years, he said, were good men. In speak
| ing of his 1wn reservation, that of Stand
put down by Indian police. They be-
quested to ask for an increase of fifty
men. Grass then shook hands with the
secretary and took his seat.
American Horse was the next speaker.
He displayed considerable natural ability
and made graceful preface to his re-
marks. referring in complimentary terms
to the secretary and ladies present. The
government, he SAID, had made mistakes
in their attempts to civilze the Indians
He proceeded to enunierate their mis-
takes. Instead of the positions at agen
cies being filled in by Indians white mer
/ CTOWutu LutIll Oul lOOh Iut plates
What his people wanted was chance tt
rise and fill position of trust and conse
quence that were within their reach. He
then spoke of religious matters aud sale
there were three religious bodies on thei
reservation who were trying to teaci
them to better their lives and especiall'
to bring about religious marriages. Blu
they did not want to be compelled t.
marry certain persons. The seCretar,
inquired who had sought to compe
them to marry. American Horse replie'
that he referred more particularly to per
sons who eloped. When the couple wer
brought back the agent obliged them t.
be married.
The speaker then asked that losses sui
ferred by Indians in the late dlstur banc
be made good by the government. Fl
favored the removal of the Carllsl
school to the west. Young Man-Afraid
Of f-His-Horses related his services in tn
, interest Of harmony during the lat
trouble. He had brought his people int
the camp and had turned in their arm
"How many?" queried tho secretary an
} the orator was somewhat non-plused. H
knew the total was small and he did nj
:, care to say. He hoped the governmer
would not only educate the children bl
t would also give them something to d
t when they finished at school. Tw
Strike said he had made peace with Gel
Miles and was now going to do what h
could to maintain it.
y Hump said about 300 of his people ha
!, been killed and there should be son
~ consideration shown the survivors. L
wanted the rations increased and CO
tinued. Hollow Horn. Bear, and Meo
cine Bull talked briefly and then Seer
:. tary Noble spoke to the Indians.
~ said:
g .The Indian must not be discourage
D. Ha would be supported so long as he G
dsavored to do we'll. There were ty
IL doc to the question of what is due tt
Is III, and what is due from the India
l. nv ~. ~ 1884 the Sioux have been give
40 s4e 100000 by the government. The 10
arnment acknowledges its treaties an
J. agrpements with the Sioux. Since 1oS
d. wIen this money was paid, there HI
III heen much more money paid, accordlu
is In The treaty. The secretary then qume
10 " '.oti,tirs rs to the issues to India
III .chool> The IuuiaHs' "aHiS adVt nte tt
re krpt up at all the agencies ana iouu'ttt
W schools, sd. ) as they wait, hHF, also pe'
n estabished at Pierre, ana ano.Rv1
Fhndrenu. Farmers have been kHnt
the different agencies 10 show the Slo'
h,,, m farm land. II Was mere IA
Mt dent that 100000 should gave been c
NV nff the Sioux appropriation immediate
ng after the agreement with Gen. Crook.
"a, ,,, hoye bean the same If there h