The Press., 1895-07-18
North Dakota Correspondenoe.

The Indians had been gathering in there for some time from various Indian reser- vations, and there was likely to be two thousand or more, as advertised. Some of US had never seen this celebration, and we planned to take it in, or 8 part of 1t, at least. There was to be parade in the forenoon, and we wanted to see that, as it would be one of the features of the day. We had twelve mile ride over the reser- vation, and started early. The road winds over very rolling country, in and around many hills. The ride was very pleasant. All along the way, on both sides, there were immense beds of most beautiful roses-now it would be red, and then white, and then pink roses, and then roses of variegated hues. We never saw anything more beautiful. They were in such abundance, and so fresh and rich in color They were all along where the soil had not been cultivated, the sod never broken. We did see one field that had been cultivated, but had gone back to weeds; and there the roses were even more abundant. We had often remarked that the wild flowers this spring and sum- mer were more abundant, and more beau tiful, and in greater variety than we re- member ever to have seen on any prairies before. It may be because of the fre- quent rains we have had all through the season; but, whatever the cause, the flow CTS have appeared-all dressed in the Iovelest colors and tints conceivable. Our first flower in the spring is the cro- GUS. It appears quite early, and did this season; but, here it is a few days in July, and crocuses are still in bloom. This is new surprise to us. We hardly need to cultivate flower garden, nature has so bountifully and beautifully provided for us all over the lawn, and outside around about it.
 We came in view of the Indian encamp- ment about nine o'clock. The tepees were arranged in their usual fashion in circular form. It was a large circle. Horses and cattle were tethered around about. We drove directly into the cir cle; and, as there was no performance just then in progress, we drove slowly along by the tepees -clOse enough to see within them-and caught few hurried views of Indian life. Some were cooking, some serving, some sleeping, some drying meat, some playing, some doing nothing.
 Cooking materials were very scanty.
 Furnishings in the tepees were poor
 enough; and as the Indians, when nov
 ing about take all they have, they evil
 dently haven't much. There were some
 pretty strong smells-quite likely it was
 dog meat that was being cooked, or some
 similar creature. In fact, the only thing
 we saw to eat was meat of some kind
 and what seemed to be flour in bags. We
 noticed good many small chtldren,-in-
 fants and up alOng,-were surprised at
 the number. Also there were a good
 many dogs-poor little, half-starved look
 ing creatures. The Indians all have them.
 There seemed not to be many full-blooded
 Indians. Some of them could not have
 been even half-bloods. We saw one h.
 dian man holding and caring for an in-
 fant. Possibly his squaw had caught the
 spirit of the "new woman," and he is forerunner of the new era. We'll if it is in the air, Indians may breathe it. t Having learned that the parade would } be at the fort, we drove on over and went inside the square where the school is, which is kept by the government. Buildings, used for it's various pur- poses, dormitories-b and girls, shops, dining hall school-rooms, &c., form it's four sides. The schools are now closed;
 but many of the children stay-a few go
 to the reservations where they belong.
 We saw both boys and girls who attend here. They look and appear very much as other boys and girls, only are more
 quiet and respectful. Just outside is an
 immense garden, which is cultivated by
 them. All kinds of vegetables are grown, and are now in an advanced stage of growth and looking very fine. The gar r den speaks we'll for the soil and the culti-
 vatiOn.
 We went on up to the hill where the store and uperintendent's house is, and other buildings necessary for the purposes of the agency. Here the Catholic schools may be seen little off to the north; and from here there is @ fine view of the lake. 5 Over at Devils Lake city there is now in 7 session a chautauQua, which will be in F session over month. We understand
 that there is already a good assembly
 there. Steamers run between it and Ft. } Soften daily, and, on this day, almost l hourly.
 I The grand parade of four hundred , braves, which was to come off at 10 a. m., did not take place until nearly one o'clock,
 and then it was not so large or imposing V as we anticipated. After this we went to o the encampment; and the dances were :, just getting we'll started but, as we had ] to be at home before night to participate U in a celebration there, we could remain = but a short time. We saw the grass
 dance" and few others, but none in Il which the Indian women took part. Their dances began later. The Indians r were painted and decorated in the highest
 style of their art. Paint was about all - some of them had on; but paint was put
 on the whole person, from foot to head ', in many patterns. Great ingenuity is displayed in these decorations. Bells, = trinkets, colored feathers of birds and y fowls, tails of wild and tame animals are r all used with the greatest effect to set off
 tho person. It is pretty safe to say that
 there is not much improvement in per- 0 sonal appearance. Even little children j. will be painted.
 q It is given out that this is to be the
 last of these performances. They should l. stop. It is a revival of heathenism, a l. cultivation of war instincts, degradation y of those whom the government is spend = ing money to educate and civilize. Here
 assemble a heather people, where the
 governmennt is laboring to educate h.
 dian boys and girls out of heathenism,
 and where there are christian missions, $ Protestant and Catholic, with their fol
 lowers. Young people who have been to