The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-03-16
ONCE A SCALP LIFIER.

aL " IA Gb4
Role of a Minister.
The weekly conference of the Baptist
ministers held in the Young Mems Chris
tan association building yesterday after
noon WAS attended by a rather singula,
visitor IN the person Of nm aged Indian
chief who arrived in this city several da,
ago from Indian Territory, says the San
francisco Chronicle.
Ksv. Felix Mays, for snch is tho name by
winch the oid-tims warrior Is now known,
ives AZ present on the Cherokee strip.
ABOUT seventy tlvc miles northwest Of Gnth-
RE, the capital of Oklahoma. Brother
Mays, rs the long barred ohieftein ia famil-
iarly addressed by the local ministers, has
ioreRone his former scalp-lifting procliv-
itles ~ - now engaged in teaching tho
gospel to his people in the capacity of "A
baptist minister. His mission to this coast
q time with his fellow workers in religion
ana gam a clsRrer insight into their
methods of i%mplanting the faith in the
hearts of the errlng.
IN conversation with a Chronicle reporter
brother Mays stated that he was born in
nakot about ssventy-t five years ago at d
distance OF about twelve miles from where
Fine Ridge agency now stands. The asser-
ton regarding his advanced aga was Quite
a surprise to tho listeners, for Ills Youthful
appearance and agile moyelnents rather
indicated him to be a man of some forty
odd years. His father WAS a chisftain. and
waged relentless war against the encroach-
ments or the whites. The region of Brother
Mays birth was until comparatively recent
years Isolated from civilization, and during
MS savage life the chase and occasional
warfare against the increasing number Of
settlers orlns his sole occupations. AZ
the age OF 10 he entered upon tue career OF
a medicine man, and it was not until he
assumed the duties of this exalted station
that he donned his first suit of buokskin
garments. Previous to that period his sole
article OF clothing had been the scant COW
erlnR known as q brceoh clout.
During q number OF succeeding years his
tribe travelled over different sections Of the
country and frequently engaged in wars
with the whites. but az to their dates or bv
what names the various wars in which he
could not tell. When he attained his ma.
jority he was made sachem and was known
as Plata. ~
Were You in Dakota at the time Of the
Custer fight?" asked the reporter.
Yes, YES" WIS the quick reply. II was
at the battle-saw long haired chief fall %
he continued, his small, black eyes spark
ing ut the recollection of the event. In re.
Spouse to the reporters request he told an
interesting story of the famous massacre.
Ills description Of the soene at the height
the conflict. while hundreds of PAINTED
on horseback closed in on the
brave little band of cavalrymen, was
most graphically recited. He stated
that Custer was ono of IL Q last men to fall,
and At the time of receiving his death
was about thirty yards from his
men. He WAS nttired III n buckskin uni
form, and his tall commanding form and
hair made him a conspicuous figure.
Immediately after his fall Sitting Bull,
Plata and several others approached him
and found him still alive. In one hand he
held a large revolver and his saber was un-
at his side. All Of the Indians
were Immediately ordered to = n%sighboring
whore they made their camp for
days. What disposition was made
Clusters body after his death, which almost
immediately occurred. Plata did not en-
deavor to ascertain.
Since the conclusion Of that war Plata
spent much time at Fort Worth. Texas.
There he came under the notice of Baptist
Missionaries, and after much application
70 religious study he WAS converted on
April Is, 1890. He prides himself ut,on a
tlrty and well-worn typewriter certificate
II mis- conversion to the Baptist faith. He
subsequently made a minister and rent
% his people III Indian Territory. His ad-
1ress At the meeting yesterday was decid-
IDLY interesting, and he displayed remark
lbls oratorioal powers, q surprising knowl-
'dge OF the language m a mastery of
Expression that would nave done credit to a |
person with far moro educational advan-
In person he is hardly above the
'verage height, and of 1.-the form. His
complexion is very dark. and his long black
lair, low forehead, uquliine features and
eyes Immediately betray his In
ian origin. After a brief s%ojourn on the
cast he Intends to return to his people in
indian Ierritory.