Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1894-01-04
LINCOLN I'd RED CLOUD.

LINCOLN TO RED CLOUD.
An Interesting Indian Relic in the
Possession of a jamestown Citizen.
The Indian cruelties and atrocities in
Minnesota -ln tho summer of 1862, dur
ing which two and half million dollars
worth of property was destroyed and
about 300 lives sacrificed, and the ever
memorable 25th day of June. 1876 when
Gen. Custer, "The White Chief with
Yellow HAIR" and his 800 troopers we're
massacred on the Little Big Horn, are
recalled by medallion. once the prop
erty of Red Cloud, chief of the Ogalalla
Sioux, but now that OF j. A. Risk of this
city.
Tho medallion came into the hands of
Its present owner through merchant
and Indian trader, "Sheet Iron" Brown,
who late IN the '7Os loaned Red Cloud
two SACKS Of -four, taking in pawn the
medal. Red Cloud, who at the time was
in starving condition and undoubtedly
would have suffered had not the loan
been negotiated, never redeemed the
pledge. After being held for years, the
owner was compelled to part with the
medallion and reluctantly 1t passed into
the hands of its present owner who
prizes it highly. It was . It to Red
milton Of his friendly attitude towards
the government during the Indian out
break of 1862.
In 1862 the secretary of the interior at
the suggestion Of President Lincoln
ordered 100 of these medallions to be
struck off at the United States mint at
Philadelphia, for distribution as ire
wards of merit" to Indian chiefs who
had been loyal to the government at the
time of the Indian troubles in Mime
sofa. Supt. Pollock, IN charge of the
mint, engaged an artist by the name of
Salathiel Ellis. who had designed simi-
lar medals for former admi Illustrations, to
furnish the design. The artist did his
work faithfully and with much skill as
| the medallion bears witness.
On the diverse side, surrounded by the
words, abraham Lincoln, President OF
the United States," IS an excellent repre-
sentation Of President Lincoln, IN heavy
relief The artist evidently followed the
likeness of the real Lincoln, as he prob
ably ofteutimes saw him, for the presi-
dent IS represented with rather bushy
beard. the razor touching his face only
on the upper lip. But the prominent
high cheek bones, made more noticeable
by the hollow cheeks, the large Lose, the
expressive upper lip and the high fore.
head make the likeness of honest old
Abe very striking one. Around bis
shoulders is cast mantle which lies in
graceful outlines. Below the relief is
the date 1882"
On the upper half OF the reverse side
and surrounding central scene enclosed
in circle an inch and half in diameter
are the figures OF. two naked Indians en-
gagged in deadly combat. Below and in
the center completing the circle is the
head of a squaw, while to the left is a
quiver full of arrows, and to the right a
bow end peace pipe.
| The central scene discloses an Indian
buck whose head is adorned with feathers
engaged in the imaginary occupation OF
blowing, while near him play his child
rem. In the distance, on the shores Of a
mountain enclosed lake on which ship
ping is seen, stands log cabin, and op-
posite to it, church.
The medal is pure silver. of six and a
half ounces in weight, is three inches IN
diameter and is over an eighth of an inch
in thickness at the edge.
Red Cloud, who in 1869 was mace
chief of the Ogalalla Sioux. was the
friend of the government during years
OF Indian outbreaks and uprisings He
refused to act with Sitting Bull and
Crazy Horse in the uprising Of '76 and
held command over his peaceable In
dians. But he was in bad company, and
in March, while it was still winter, his
agency was surrounded by United States
troops, bis supplies cut of, his ponies
captured and removed and his tribe left
in starving condition. In October o,
the came year General Crook depoeed
Red Cloud from his command and in his
stead appointed Spotted Tail, .'Chief of
all the Sioux" The Ogalallas we're later
removed to Pine Ridge agency where
they have since remained. In 1883 Red
Cloud visited Washington to lay the
grievances OF his people before President
Arthur and to make last appeal for
''Pasappa"-their home.
Sad Case in Barnes County.