davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-09


In the year 1890, writes Charles ID.
Rhodes, In the Chicago Inter Ocean,
two troops I'm each OF the ten regiments
of cavalry were skeletonlZed-that Ia,
the enlisted men of these troops were
distributed among the other ten troops
of the same regiment, and officers were
assigned TO these so-called paper
troops" who were not present for duty
with their regiments. This was done to
bring the remaining troops up TO its
maximum strength of officers and men.
After the close of the Sioux campaign
af IS9O-9l, the War Department directed
that one of the skeletonized troops In
each regiment be again materialized
and recruited by enlistments from
among the Indians, and 1t was in COM
pllance with this order that the enlist
menJ OF Troop l., Sixth Cavairy-the
first regular Indian troop or company
organized-was begun among the Blule
Sioux by Lieut.. +. T.. bravo, at the
Rosebud Agency, South Dakota, In
April, 1891.
In order to expedite the enlistment as
we'll as to come to thorough under
standing with the Indians of just what
inducements would be offered by the
Government, and what duties would in
return be- required of Indian soldiers,
the first week at the agency was devoted
by the offiC ers' recruiting party to series
of talks" with all the braves, young and
old, who we're interested In the enlist
ment, and the weeks deliberations were
brought to a fitting close by grand
council, participated in by a vc-y large
number of Indians.
To the Brules, the greatest obstacle
to enlistment was, naturally enough,
the fact that the latter would probably
at some time take them far away from
their friends and relatives, and this
point was prominently brought out by
the old men at the council. They wished
g condition introduced that upon enlist
ment the Indians should serve on or
near their reservation.
But as has since been shown, this con-
dition would have proven "a great bar to
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-09

soldiers cooking, caring for horses, and
even how TO wear their clothing.
In fact, Il has been especially difficult
10 teach them to be saving Of their uni-
forms. Not that they do not take the
greatest pride In their personal appear
ance. Their natural vanity preoludes
that. But when they become possessed
OF a neat-fltting blouse or pair Of shapely
trousers, they can seldom resist wearing
the same until threadbare, and II per-
mitted they would speedily make way
with not only their clothing allowance
but also their monthly pay for clothes
alone
In connection with clothing 1t Is sur
prising TO note the complete transforma-
ton the exteriors OF some OF these men
undergo at the dances, OF which they
have been allowed TO have several since
their enlistment. With the removal OF
uniforms, and the addition Of hldeous
paint, beads, ornaments, Of porcupine
quilts. and metallic bracelets, together
with conspicuous absence OF clothing,
they seem very unlike the tractable sol
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-09

would have US believe in the eternal
moroseness and taciturnity of the In
dian should have heard the jokes,
laughter and singing which heralded the
advent of these wild young savages into
our army.
Arriving at the post, trouble was at
first anticipated in getting them to have
their long, straight hair clipped, but
none whatever was experienced, the
men submitting 10 the ordeal willingly,
and, in fact, in all things seemed only
too anxious to become as much like the
white soldiers as possible.
They were taught English words,
preferably the names of common objects
around them, and by the lat OF July
forty men could sign their names to the
June muster rolls, twenty-one OF whom
were unable to do so on the May rolls.
Drills were begun at once, commencing
with the setting-up exercises and the
school of-the-soldier dismounted, and
their progress was surprisingly rapid
the execution of the marchings and the
manual-of-ar being especially well
done. This improvement was the more
encouraging as all but eleven members
OF the troop knew nothing of English
except a few disconnected words. In
learning the drill it was necessary for
them to memorize the different English
communicative tactical movement with
its command of execution, being first
explained by an interpreter. All ccm-
mands were and have been given in
English and very little repetition has
been necessary for the Indians to grasp
them.
Immediately upon arriving at the post
the troop started its own mess and the
men were taught the details of civilized
cooking, so that at the present time
there are In the troop NUMBER vr ga
celfent cooks. From the first the great
est cleanliness was insisted on, and the
traditional slovenliness of the Indian
seemed to have been left with his rela-
tives on the reservation.
Upon the arrival of charts, states, and
primary school books daily recitation
of an hour and half was begun, and
the Improvement in reading and writing
was most encouraging. The instruction
was further supplemented by an object
lesson class, whose members were
taught the names Of their arms, equip
ments. and articles OF clothing, the
greatest interest being displayed, more
especially with respect to all things re-
lating to the military service.
In the fall of 1891, about six months
after enlistment, the troop, mounted,
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-09
Lincoln as a Young Man.

John +. Rail, who is living in
Springfield, ILL.,, was great friend OF
Abraham Lincoln when in 1881 he
visited that State. He has given a
good description Of Lincoln at that
time, as follows: Lincoln was then
a little past % years of age, and he
was the rawest, most primitive-look,
ing specimen Of humanity l ever saw.
He was tall, bony, and as homely as
he has ever been pictured. He wore
a suit Of blue jeans-if it could be
called suit. 1t seemed that every
thing was too short for him. His
pantaloons lacked four or five inches
of reaching the ground, and when the
legs were not stuffed into his big raw
hide boots they were held down by
leather straps, which extended under
his boots. He wore an old round
about that might have served him in
too short for him, and when he
stopped over he showed four or five
inches Of his suspenders-that is,
when he went so far as to have on a
pair Of "galluses." He wore a drab-
colored wool hat, pretty well worn,
small-crowned and bread brimmed.
l remember one occasion on which
this old hat was brought into service
for the entertainment Of the natives.
One day a slight-Of-hand performer
made his appearance in the village.
At the tavern crowd, of course,
gathered around him and he enter
tanned us for some. He asked for
somebody's hat to fry some eggs in,
and Lincoln pulled Off his old SLOUGH
hat and passed it up. The magician
put in some fresh eggs, made a pre-
tense of holding the hat over the fire,
and then handed back hat full of
fried eggs. This amused Lincoln
greatly, and he seemed to pride him
self on having such a convenient
cooking utensil.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-09


A good many business men have
two, three or more different offices.
In each of these is transacted some
particular department Of business.
Thus IL a man is engaged in real es-
tate transactions and also in insur-
ance, he may so divide his time as to
spend portion in one office where
only real estate is looked after, and
at another specified hour he may be
found in his insurance Office. Col.
Dan Lamont, ex-PresidentC leveland's
former private secretary, has three
offices, and while in the city can be
found at certain hours of the day at
his office up town as President OF the
Broadway Railroad and down town as
something else. There are well-known
lawyers also who have two offices and
handle wholly different class Of
business at each. Interested in big
corporations, a live business man often
necessarily has Office hours at the cor
poration offices of the respective con-
Germ. This not only enables him to
discharge his mind Of all other BUSH
ness while attending to one, but it
enables those who have business with
him to transact it without interior
ing with those who are bent on some
thing else.
The mental strain thus put upon an
active business man soon sends him to
Florida or some more permanent rest
ing place, so that IL is doubtful IL
anything is gained by doubling up In
this way. The matter is interesting,
however, as illustrating the peculiar
qualities OF brain power and training.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-09

diers that they were.
But the qualification OF their pleasure
in dancing. wild and savage as 1t ap-
pears to lockers on, does not seem to do
harm, and no retrogade movement in
discipline has been apparent.
There are in the troop number OF
excellent dancers, White Horse, tall,
fine-looklng young brave. having the
reputation OF being the very best on the
reservation
The proximity Of the Indians to theR
reservation has been to the troop officers
a bette noir from the very beginning. All
kinds OF ingenious excuses are be-
thought of to obtain pass to go on the
reservation. Sickness OF family, burn
ing OF houses, ailings OF horses and cat
tie, domestic infelicities. all these rea-
sons are cited and re-cited. While the
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-09

took a tour through the reservation for
the double purpose of stimulating pride
and ambition and of showing the other
Indians how much Improvement had
been made.
The trip was pronounced success.
Both mounted and dismounted drills
took place in the presence of the chiefs
and head men, and the troop was as
much ON its mettle to excel-as any crack
State organization drilling for prize
trophy.
Up to the present time improvement
has been steadily satisfactory, although,
naturally enough, not as remarkable
Iatterly as that which was made at the
outset.
There is troop blacksmith, George
Bull, who cares for the horses most eff
GENTLY.
The troop farrier, White Bank, was
formerly a doctor OF wide celebrity
among his people and understands the
virtues of all the roots and herbs in this
part OF the country. His care for the
horses Of the troop Is assiduous, and he
well deserves the testimonial as to his
trustworthiness which he received from
Gen. Crook in 1875.
THE troop tailor" is a young Apache
from San Carlos, Arizona, who enlisted
for the troop from Carlisle. He has al
ready paid SO for his sewing machine,
and has deposited $50 of savings with
the paymaster, obtained entirely through
his pay and earnings. He does such ex-
cellent work that he now has orders from
all troops in the post.
The troop barber has little to do ex-
cept with cutting hair. The Indians
never shave and when hair does appear
on their faces they pull 1t out by the
roots with a small pair Of tweezers.
Charley Running Horse, the saddler,
IL fine worker in leather and his Car
Isle training has been further improved
by lessons from the regimental saddler
sergeant.
The troop has had much to learn Of
things which come naturally TO white
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-09
in the right foot.

in the right foot.
Upon organizing the troop several
white nom commissioned officers were
detailed for duty with 1t to assist in its
instruction, but at present these have
been reduced to two-one acting as first
sergeant and the other as troop clerk.
All other duties are performed by the
Indian non commissioned officers In a
creditable manner.
There Is common feeling among our
army officers throughout the West to
dlsapprove of the enlistment OF Indians
as soldiers. No one seems to question
the benefits accruing to the In Hans by
the discipline and contact with civilized
speech, manner, and costumes. But by
many 1t Is not believed to be the func-
ton OF our small but efficient army to
act as public educators, and 1t must be
confessed the molding of the Indian
soldier requires an education In many
things not directly pertaining to the
military profession; and these critics
believe that our army has enough to do
to take care of its own efficiently with
out undertaking the civilizing OF the In
dian. Probably similar views were ex-
pressed upon the organization OF the
negro regiments. Be this as it may, the
scheme is not without PRECEDENT in the
snlitary establishments of India, France,
Russia and other foreign countries.
Probably our army would feel better
satisfied, and greater good would result,
were an Indian regiment of cavalry and
OF infantry organized, without decreas-
ing our present strength of white and
colored troops.
The natural pastime Of the Indian has
for ages been war and the chase, and
4
tary life with the use OF English words
and manners, compromise upon what
Is to the Indian monotonous and irksome
school-room instruction, much OF that
obstinate conservatism which has been
so great an obstacle to Indian civfliza-
ton may be broken down and elimi-
mated
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-09
Sweating OF COINS.

The Monaghan electricians Of Cali
fornia have, according to the Engi-
neering Magazine, developed the art
of coin clipping by means Of cleo
trolysis.
A consignment of $50, 900 in gold
eagles was recently sent to a New
York bank from California, which, on
examination, was found to contain
twenty light weight coins bearing the
date of 1891. These were apparently
new and bright, but on being exam
ined with the tense showed the sur
faces were covered with inflnitesimal
pores. About dollars worth Of gold
had been extracted from each eagle
by elecTolysis, and it is to be noted
that this offense can hardly be
reached by law, even If the offenders
were caught, as the law only reaches
cases where the operation is proved
to have been performed with fraud
ulent intent. This would be in any
case difficult thing to prove.
We do not know what has led our
contemporary TO the conclusion that
the deficiency in weight Of the coins
in question was caused by electrolytic
action. 1t seems more probable that
it was caused by the much simpler
and more available method of solu-
tion in aqua regia, which is process
well known, and, alas, too often prac-
ticed. This method Of extraction Of
n py,. 49, "a 49, sssOOs.i rum CUfES 10
termed sweating"
The Engineering Magazine is GER
tainly in error when it states that
this offense can hardly be reached by
law, even if the offenders were
caught, as the law only reaches cases
where the operation is proved to have
been performed with fraudulent in
tent. The fact is that the debasing
OF coin by clipping from it, rolling
it out, melting it up, or otherwise
rendering it unfit as coin for circu-
lation, is an offense against the United
States laws. In many cases there
could be no intention to defraud, as
in the case Of melting up or rolling
out OF coins, in order TO use the metal
for other purposes, still the person
convicted Of such practice would be
amenable to the law, although not
liable to the same penalty as one who
distracted from the weight with the
intention of passing the coin there
after at its original face value
Electricity, New York.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-09

feet, and Weighing about $4,000
pounds, seems pivoted to its base by
an invisible pin, and has lateral
mot on from east to west, produced
by the wind, or by the propelling
strength of man.
The rock is shaped like an irregu-
lar cone. When the wind begins to
blow from the southeast it begins to
rock to and fro in the air like the
branches of large tree.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-09

brother, Horned Horse, n member Of
the troopl High Bear, who was another
hostile chief, and whose son, Sammy
High Bear, now wears the chevrons OF O
sergeant, and old Chief Two Strikes,
whose name was at one time In every
soldiers mouth, has bright and ell
Client son in the troop, who also proudly
wears sergeants chevrons.
OF the flfty-fve men enlisted, Ave are
lhalf-breeds, three are one-fourth white.
and forty-seven are full-blooded Brules.
And among those who have been fortu-
nate enough TO attend industrial
school, the trades represented are;
Blacksmiths, three; bakers, two; paint
ers, two; carpenters, one; shoemakers.
one; tallors. one; BARRIERS. one.
After enlistment. at the agency, the
Indians were like lot OF schoolboys,
anxious to get to their new. post, Fort
Niobrara, Neb., and don their brand new
uniforms. And when at last the wagons
came TO take them to the pest they
could not contain themselves, but spent
most of the night singing. He who
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-09

terms No man who has shoes made
to order wears the square-toed
variety, and no man who has pressed
his foot on a piece OF paper and out
lined the foot with pencil thinks
that square toes are either necessary
or advisable. In these days of COM
petition so many styles of shoes are
kept on hand that nearly any one can
be fitted, and there is no need to in
sist ona particular style, regardless
at once OF comfort and appearance
Globe Democrat.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-09

anxiety during the dissgreeable winter
campaign.
Added to this, twenty-three of the en-
listments were made from the camps of
Sky Bull and Big Turkey, considered
the most conservative and non-progres-
sive camps on the reservation.
These points are interesting In view of
the remarkable progress since made by
the troop.
Among the chiefs who we're particu-
larry favorable toward the enlistment
we're Turning Bear, who was chief of
the dog soldiers OF the Brules In the hos
tile camp Ina the Fad Lands. and whose
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-09

progress, and the objection was met by
arguments proving the great benefits
gained by contact of the young men with
the civilization of the East; that, so
long as the Indians remained on their
reservation, aloof from the white people,
so long would they make little improve
ment; whereas the boys who had re-
turned from the schools at Hampton,
Carlisle, and elsewhere could tell Of the
wonderful prosperity OF the East. The
force of these arguments was further
enhanced by the verbal testimony of
those chiefs who had visited Washing
ton. Finally and quite suddenly the
sentiment in regard to leaving the vicin
ity of the reservation seemed to COM
pletely change, and with counter-direct-
ness the young men were counseled by
their chiefs to enlist and, If possible, to
go all over the Great Fathers country,
learning all they could for their own and
their peoples good.
Another objection raised at the coun-
Gil was the desire Of the chiefs to have
their own favorite young men appointed
non commissioned officers Immediately,
with view to their becoming commits
stoned officers later on. 1t was with
great difficulty that this point was set
tied, until the Carlisle men explained to
the CHI efs how IMPOSSIBLE it was for In
dams to become officers until their
standard Of education was raised.
On April 6, two days after the coun-
Gil, the enlistment was begun, and on
this and the two days succeeding forty
two Brule braves were examined phys
ically by the surgeon, and ,hirty-two of
these accepted and enlisted. By April
90 the troop was enlisted to fifty-tWo
men, and the two remaining vacancies
were afterward filled without trouble,
competition even running high.
1t is interesting to here note the fact
that the troop was enlisted from the most
warlike and daring, perhaps, of all In
dian tribes, and from among the very
Sioux VIII come months before had bolt
ed into the Bad Lands, and had given
the GoYern ment so much trouble and
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-09
Tho Cute Jap.

A gentleman travelling in Japan
broke the handspring of his watch,
which he took to a native village
jeweler. The watch was returned in
apparently as good gong order as
ever, and kept good time until the
rainy season set in, when it stopped.
Being in the city of Toxic at that
time, the traveller took the watch to
an English workman, who was aston
ished to find that the cunning Jap
had put in spring made out of bam-
boo, which so long as it kept dry re-
NAMED elastic, but during wet
weather had gathered dampness ana
lost its power.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-09
soy.r.-ro.d shoe. Going out.

The craze for square-toed shoes is
dying out. 1t was part OF the COM
nonsense crusade, and people bought
square-toed shoes because they were
told sore feet resulted from undue
pressure caused by boots and shoes
being built with narrow toes. The
discovery that the foot refused to fill
out the space on the outside OF each
shoe, thus unduly wide at the toes,
and that 1t was necessary to use cot
ton or wool TO keep the shoe in shape
and free from unsightly wrinkles,
led to the return to standard pat
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-09

truth prevails in these excuses, exagger-
alton must always be looked for. In
dian braves who have been reported
dead by members of the troop have had
a way of coming to life again, without
any apparent embarrassment to the
originators of the canard. they ex-
planning it simply by, Walking Fly
was dead little while, but all
right now. 4" One honest fellow
who was very anxious to obtain a pass,
in order, as well knew, to carry a flag
TO his relatives, told mo after all other
resources had failed, that he had heard
that his father was dying. Upon cross.
examination I found that the paternal
one had severe attack of rheumatism
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-09
Cauvnt n Prettv snal,o.

Ed A. Babcocl, of North Stoning-
ton, Conn.,, while crossing his rocky
farm met an odd and brilliant look
ing snake Of species that was be-
lieved to be extinct in Connecticut,
and after a lively chase captured it.
1t is little fellow, not half grown,
and is black, except that a broad
golden band encircles its neck. 1t
belongs to the gold-banded racer
species, which grow to be ten or If
teen feet long and are swift and fe-
rociOus
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-09
A Considerate Passenger.

Worried mother lin a,railroad train)
Il hope my baby's crying doesn't
disturb you. l can't stop it.
Old bachelor (genially)-I'm all
right, madam. Don't worry about
me. I'm afraid, though, the noise is
sort Of a wet blanket on those
young people yonder.
"Dear me! Why?"
They're on their wedding tour
General Manager. 4
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-09
Too Much Curiosity.

"What was God doing all this timN
before he made this world9" asked an
inc1pient Bob Ingersoll of Harlem
Sunday-school teacher.
The teacher was silent for some
minutes, evidently absorbed in deep
thought, but arousing himself he
said:
God was growing switches with
which to drive out the curiosity Of
little boys" and drawing the boy
across the bench, the teacher allayed,
temporarily at least, the curiosity Of
the seeker after more light.
Siftings.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-09
What It Means.

Wife-"What does it mean in this
paper when it says that the young
German Emperor expects call to
arms?"
Husband-"A call to arms? / sup
pose he expects his wife to say: will
helm, take the baby" - General
Manager.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-09

the same weight. It's head is about
the size of a small orange, and its
legs are no thicker than ones fore
finger. When the father went out to
buy some shoes for the little mite he
could find none small enough, and
had to take dolls shoes, only one and
a half inch long. The baby is girl,
is very healthy and is growing Justify.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-09
Must Writ. Something.

This bit Of dialogue from the New
York Weekly may explain how so
many uncharitable things get into
the newspapers:
Space Reporter--Can't you give me
something to write up to-day?"
City -"Haven'ta thing"
Space Reporter-~Well, then, give
me some thing to write down"
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-09
what 1t Might Mean.

Mrs. White calling on an old SER
vant)-So your husband is dead, Mar
garet?
Margaret vigorously wiping her
eyesSAh, yes, mum; he's been smol-
d'rin in his grave these many years.
-Harper's Bazaar.