The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-04-27

49, NE of party of five ladies' EN-
f:JEgHaA ronte from Chicago, lett the rail-
SgaESSA| road at Valentine, Neb., Dec. ?,
%SxEN 1884. for an overland ride OF l5O
EENJExS. miles TO Pine Ridge Agency. The
%sS wintry journey over the unbrok-
Ell prairie was full of incident ana
experience only found on such trip. To-Day
the whirl of farm houses and villages seen
from the comfortable Pullman has taken the
Mace of the boundless monotony, varied only
by creeks prairiedog towns, ana the Slopes ol
the surrounding ridges. The mule-traln' am
bulauce and pack wagon have given way 10
the swift moving train. A dining-car offers a
far different bill of fare from the meals cooked
upon the camp.stove, which we enjoyed with
keen apnetites in our tents, pitched by lhe
creek. in the shelter of the cliff; and the biz
gard which challenged cur right to enter the
country would now be powerless IN "reaNlnS
the wrath IL then poured upon its helpless VIC
Tins.
No Mains had been spared by Agent McGlli-
euddy and his wife for making US comfortable
RELAYS of teams, supplies of weil-cooked food,
well-furnished tents and careful attendants
had been provided; Mr.. McGiilicuddy NM
self taking charge of the expedition. We
were well taken care of when we reached the
Agency-whitc people and Indians seeming to
conspire to make us contented with our new
home.
As Superintendent of the large Government
Indian boarding school, ] had full opportunity
10 become acquainted with the leaders OF the
Sioux and learned their respective ability and
influence, the relative power and characteristics
Of their bands.
became much attached to them, and when
] resigned my sunerintendency to resume the
study of my profession in Chicago, was much
gratifei 10 learn that the Indians had held
council and wished me to return to again take
charge of the school. Although 1t was imprac-
ticable for me to go, their action was valuable
to me as a token Of confidence and good
will.
On Dec 2, 1890 I started again for Pine
Ridge from Washington, alone, on a very
different mission. ] went, authorized by the
War and Interior Departments fully informed
by the officials of the extent of the threat
ened outbreaks and causes of apprehension
of danger, to do what l could toward ascer-
tanning the facts and restoring the confidence
of the dsafeeted Sioux.
This was Of great portance, because, as the
General of the Army told me, ION account OF
the distrust and uncertainty it was impossible
TO obtain reliable ia formation, and consequently
the greatest obstacle in the way of peace was
the lack of the necessary discrimination be-
tween the hostiles and those well disposed"
The newspapers were full of an Indian out
break; Cabinet meetings were occupied in dis
cusgiug the situation. All topics on the floor
of Congress yielded to this; the Sioux reserya-
tiOns had been placed under military control;
soldiers had been ordered from their distant
posts; full preparation was being made for ex-
tensive warfare.
Ny knowledge of those who were accused of
being the instigators of the trouble convinced
me that there must be some grave injustice,
some gross misunderstanding, which should be
investigated.
None knew better than / the personal danger
which ] would incur, but IS had said to Sec
rotary Proctor, be had not hesitated to send
5000 soldiers TO risk their lives in war, was
ready TO risk mine in the interests of peace. /
made preparation, in case / should never re-
turn, and started, by a singular coincidence, on
the anniversary of my first journey.
Trains bearing soldiers to the scene of action
passed those loaded with men, women and
children fleeing from the danger.
Leaving the railroad at Nashville Neb.,
rode about 20 miles by stage to my former
home, and was welcomed by my old friends.
At the Agency all was uncertainty and sus-
penEe. Each day brought new rGmOrs of war
and preparations for hostiities. 1t WAS i'm
possible TO tell the false from the true, except
by personal knowledge of the character of the
informants.
Little Chief the redoubtable leader of the
CheyenDes, was camped with his band on the
sOutb. He had been compulsorily sandwiched