The Portland daily press., 1896-03-02

Some Noted Warriors of the Nation In
cluded-Their Many Grievances and
How They Try to Express Them,
Washington, February 3d. A task of
greater magnitude than that to which
the delegation Of Sioux Indians nov in
the city is applying itself could not easily
b. imagined. There are but five mem
bers Of the delegation, yet they hope to
persuade both the legislative and exeou-
tive branches of the government that the
proper thing for the government to do
would be to live up to all the treaty pro-
visions which have at various times and
for various reasons been formulated by
representatives of the United States. The
delegation, which arrived yesterday ev-
ening over the Pennsylvania railroad,
and is located at the Hotel La Fetra, con-
sists of Little Wound, Kicking Bear,
George Fire Thunder, Capt. Thunder
Bear and Philip f. Wells, the latter be-
ing the interpreter. Little Wound is an
Ogallala, and an unquestioned chief of
high rank in the Sioux nation; in his
younger days hewas good deal ola fight
or, and has not yet reached the age when
he might be regarded as an easy mark
for an adversary. His facial resem blance
to Bishop John P. Newman is remark
able Kicking Bear is a Brule. and was
a leader OF the younger element which
made things SO very interesting in the
vicinity of Pine Ridge six years ago.
George Fire Thunder-who speaks Eng
fish fairly WELLS a catechist in the
Episcopal church, he represents some of
the best elements among the young men.
Captain Thunder Bear is chief of police
at Pine Ridge; he has done some fight
ing on his own account in days gone by,
and was first sergeant in the Sioux
interpreter of the first rank. The party
is being chaperoned by Col. James g.
George, who for several years past has
been engaged in attending to certain leg
al matters in which number of the
Sioux are deeply interested.
The delegation is said to DO truly rep
resentative. with having been selected at.
ter struggle at the polls, which was
quite as interesting as any white mans
election. 1t is customary for the agent to
select delegations, but, as the present
crowd comes at the expense of theIndianS
and not OF the government, so. for the
frst time, the Pine Ridge Sioux exercised
the privilege of franchise. After the cleo
ton big council was held, and the dele
gates were duly instructed. The sum of
$500 was subscribed by the Indians to de-
fray the expenses of their representatives.
WHAT THEY WANT.
A summary of the things which the
government will be asked to do would in
clude. the delegates say, about so per
cent OF the things promised in the many
treaties that have been made, but the
delegates are going to be satisfied if they
can establish their claims to that large
section of what is now northern Nebraska
which was clipped OF the southern edge
of the Sioux reservation without the
knowledge or consent of those whom che
United States acknowledged were owners
OF the soil in question. The testimony to
be presented IL almost unanimously. on
the Indian side of the case. Then there
arc great many minor matters to be
considered. The Pine Ridge Sioux are
decidedly of the opinion that they have
some of the restrictions still
insisted upon by the Interior Depart.
ment; they want more liberty of action
in matters pertaining to their own well
fare.
They are going to ask for the aboliti on
Sioux reservation, and they want to have
rs many traders stores as the business
Will stand. SO that the whole body of In
dams will profit by the competition
They are protectionists, are these Sioux,
and they want to develop the business
abilities which very many of them I'M
doubleday have, SO they are going to ask
that only the legal residents of the reser-
walton be permitted to keep stores within
the reservation bounds. Another request
they are going to make looks to the ap.
pointment by the Indians of their own
chief herder. There are now on the Pine
Ridge reservation more than $1,000 head
of cattle-stock rising is really the only
1ndustry-and it is the impression of the
Indians that their cattle would multiply
more rapidly if they were rounded up
and generally looked after by an Indian
elected herder than they are by herder
who depends for his job upon the politi-
cal influence of the white men Just off
the edges of the reservation. These mat
tiers and great many others will be dis
oussed in talks with the commissioner Of
Indian affairs and the Secretary of the
Interior, members of the Indian commit
tee of both houses, and other public offic-
ials.
GOING ABOUT TOWN.
Early this morning the delegation, in
charge of Colonel George, took a walk
about town, seeing the sights of the city,
which, to an Indian, are always more
wonderful than to the ordinary stranger
within the gates Among the first calls
which were made was one to the Indian
office, where Commissioner Browning
gave them most cordial reception and
they spent q pleasant half hour convers-
ing with the leading officers of the bu-
reau, to whom by name and reputation
the chiefs were very we'll known. Among
others whom they met was Mr.. Geor ge
Fl. Hoffman, one of the veteran officials
of the Indian service. who acted as clerk
of the commission that made the treaty
of 1868. As soon as Little Wound and
Kicking Bear learned that Mr.. Holtzman
took part in tho negotiations leading up
to that treaty they became very much in
terested in him and again shook hands
with him in the most deferen tial mau-
ner.
Y He told them that now, at the age of
he had served continuously
forty five years IN the Indian service and
was familiar with all that had been done
for their welfare and advancement, which
he heartily wished might continue.
MEETING OLD FRIENDS.