The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1894-05-25
CHAMBER Of COMMERCE
Various Matters of Public Interest Dis
cused-A. J. Steele Of Helena
and p. Breen Of Butte Present.
Little Bear and Other Cree Chiefs Elk
plain All About the Sun
Dance.

The Chamber Of Commerce met last
Thursday at their room in the Realty
block on Central avenue. President
Gelsthorpe being unavoldably absent r.
W. Berry acted as chairman.
o. H. Holmes appeared on behalf OF
the press committee and stated that 125
guests were expected and asked the ap-
pointment Of a committee Of reception
not to include any newspaper men. On
motion the chair appointed a committee
Of five for that purposs.
Various committees reported progress.
In regard to the proposed stage route to
Augusta, oCo signatures had been OBJ.
tanned in Great Falls besides those OF
Sun river. Ine chamber seemed alive
to the urgency of this postal route and
immediate action was authorized.
Attention was drawn to the deplorable
condition OF the road between Aiming
ton and Geyser, and the proper commit
tee was instructed to bI. ng the matter
before the county commissioner at their
session today.
Chairman Berry then alluded to the
decease of F. B. Tuttle, a former mem.
Der of the Chamber, and on motion a
series of resolutions we're unanimously
adopted.
X. s. Ford introduced A. j. Steele a
member of the Chamber of Commerce at
Helena, and Mr.. Steele made a short but
neat address.
w. NJ. Bole then introduced Peter
Breen of Butte, who in a short address,
complimented the Chamber, and the
citizens of Great Falls upon their
energetic business characteristics.
The question Of the proposed tele-
phone line to the Judith basin was then
brought forward. j. P. Dyas on behalf
Of the Rocky Mountain Telephone COM
pany addressed the Chamber OF the sub
ject, gave the estimated cost OF the line,
and the condition on which the com.
pany would build it. He stated that it
would be a first class line, cedar poles,
metallic circuit and copper wires. The
matter was then referred to the executive
committee.
The question of free delivery by the
postoffice in Great Falls was then taken
up. Petitions had been prepared and
were about ready to forward. The popu-
lation of Great Falls was now l2,uC0,
and postoffice receipts ending April l,
were Sl5,32i. The matter was referred
to the committee on city affairs.
Mr.. Gallagher suggested the appoint
ment Of a committee to receive strangers.
His remarks were strongly indorseu by
j. p. Dyas, and after some discussion it
was moved and carried that the chair
appoint a committee of ten, which should
not comprise any real estate dealer or
hotel proprietor.
The chamber then adjourned to allow
the matter Of the sun dance to be dis
cussed.
The sun Dance.
Meesrs. Leesard and by as, Little
Bear with three chief and an interpreter
took station in front Of the audience.
j. p Dyas then explained the matter
OF the sun dance and racing program to
be at the fair grounds on June 10. The
moral support of the Chamber was ask,
ed, as the businessmen generally had
been interviewed WITH success. Mr..
Dyas stated that the dance would not be
the least offensive, religious, moral or
otherwise. They were there to prove all
obnoxious features had been eliminated,
and he knew the program would be a
drawing card. The dance and race pro,
gram was a settled fact, and all the de-
tails would be worked out Friday, and
advertising commenced at once.
Joe Lessard then made corroberative
remarks, and stated the contract had
been made with Little Bear, and paid
a compliment to the intelligence OF the
chief. He stated no WHISKY would be
allowed among the Indians, and a strong
force of police would be there as he had
the Indians thoroughly under his con
troll.
Little Bear, through an interpreter.
explained the object of the dance and
the thoroughly religious character of the
ceremony. He said his people were not
coming here to steal and he did not want
to see any white mar there with whisky
The dances would last two days and
nights without eating or drinking. Inc
first day there would be a sham battle
between probably go Indians and horses,
and at 6 o'clock that night the ceremo
MES would m mat would last
two days and nights. Altogether there
would be about 800 Indians men, WON
en-, and children. The Indians would
arrive from other parts about two days
before the dance and alter the ceremo-
MES they would Immediately disperse.
The sentiment Of the audience was en-
tirely in favor OF the sun dance being
held,