Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-28
Pine Ridge Indians Come to See the
Great Father.
Delegates OFFICIALLY CHOSEN
Some Noted Warriors of the Ma.
ton Included.
THEIR MANY GRIEVANCES

suade both the legislative and executive
branches of the government that the proper
thing for the government to do would be
to live up to all the treaty provisions which
have at various times and for various rea-
sons been formulated by representatives OF
the United States. The delegation, which
arrived yesterday evening over the Penn
sylvania railroad. and is located at the
Hotel La Fetra, consists Of Little Wound
Kicking Bear. George Fire Thunder, Capt
Thunder Bear and Philip F. Wells, the lat
ter being the Interpreter. Little WounI is
an Ogallala, and an unquestioned chief of
high rank in the Sioux nation; IN his
younger days he was good deal of a
fighter, and has not yet reached tho age
when he might be regarded as an easy
mark for an adversary; his facial resem-
blance to Bishop John p. Newman is re-
markabie. Kicking Bear is a BruIe. and
was leader of the younger element which
made things SO very Interesting in the vi
cinity Of Pine Ridge six years ago. George
Fire Thunder-who speaks English fairly
WELLS a catechist in the Episcopal Church;
he represents some of the best elements
among the young men. Capt. Thunder
Bear is chief of police at Pine Ridge; he
has done some fighting on his own account
IN days gone by, and was a first sergeant
OF scouts in the Sioux campaign Of lS9O-3l.
Philip Wells is an Interpreter of the first
Col. James G. George. who for several
years past has been engaged in attending
to certain legal matters in which a number
of the Sioux are deeply interested.
The delegation Is said to be truly repre-
sentative. il having been selected after a
struggle at the polls which was quite as
interesting any white mans election. 1t
is customary for the agent to select dele
cations. but, as the present crowd comes at
the expense of the Indians. and not of tine
government, SO, for the first time, the Pine
Ridge Sioux exercised the privilege Of fran
chlse. After the election big council was
held. and the delegates were duly instruct
ed. The sum of $500 was subscribed by the
Indians to defray the expenses Of their rep
reSentativeS.
What They Want.
summary of the things which the gov
eminent will be asked 10 do would include
the delegates say. about 30 per cent of the
things promised In the many treaties that
have been made, but the delegates are go
ing to be satisfied il they can establish their
claim to that large section of what Is now
northern Nebraska, which was clipped off
the southern edge of the Sioux reservation
without the knowledge or consent of those
whom the United States acknowledged were
owners of the soil in Question. The testi-
nony 10 be presented Is almost unanimously
on the Indian side Of The case. Then there
are great many minor matters to be con-
sidered. The Pine Ridge Sioux are decided
ly of the opinion that they have outsrown
some of the restrictions still insisted upon
by the Interior Department; they want
more liberty OF action in matters pertain
ing to their own welfare.
They are going to ask for the abolition of
the Hcensed-trader system on the entire
Sioux reservation. and they want to have
as 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
y-n To
which very many Of them undoubtedly
have. so they are going to ask that only
the legal residents Of the reservation be per
natted to keep stores within the reserva-
Ing to make looks to the appointment by
the Indians of their own chief herier.
There are now on the Pine Ridge ressrya-
ton more than 5000 head of cattle-stock
raising Is really the only industry-and 1t
Is the impression Of the Indians that their
cattle would multiply more rapidly IL thew
We're rounded up and generally looked az
Ter by an Indian-elected herder than they
are by herder VINO depends for his 1ot
upon the political influence of the white
men just of the edges Of the reservation
These matters and great many others
Will BIO discussed in talks with the com
missioner of Indian affairs and the Score.
tary of the Interior, members of the In.
dlan committees Of both houses, and other
public officials.
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 won
derful 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
a most cordial reception and they spent a
pleasant half hour conversing with the
leading officers of the bureau to whom nv
name and reputation the chiefs were very
well known. Among others whom they
met was Mr.. George II. Holtz:nan. one
OF the veteran officials Of the Indian serv-
Ice. who acted as clerk of the commission
that made the treaty of 1863 AS soon
as Little Wound and Kicking Bear learned
that MIR. Hoffman took part in the nero-
tiations leading up to that treaty they be-
came very much interested in him and
again shook hands with him in the most
aeferential manner He told ,hem that
now, at the age of seventy-eight. he had
served continuously forty-five years in the
Indian service and was familiar with ali
that had been done for their welfare and
advancement, which he heartily wished
might continue.
Meeting Old Friends,
From the Indian office the delegation
went to the Interior Department and called
upon the Acting Secretary of the Interior.
Judge Simms, who, through the interpreter.
Philip Wells. held short consultation with
the chiefs and assured them that the gov
eminent would listen to their errand with
attention and patience. and that in all
things pertaining to their progress no one
connected with the department desired for
the Sioux anything less than the fullest
opportunity to improve the condition of
themselves and their families, both in their
homes. their pursuits, their schools. their
churches, and. in every means available to
them for their advancement They also
called on j. c. Clements, who has been for
twenty-five years a clerk in charge of In
dian affairs attached to the Secretary's Of
flee. and later went to see Judge Wright of
the land Office, who was a member Of the
commission appointed under the Dawes bill
IN 1888 for the cession of q large part of
the Sioux reservation. Little Wound recog-
nized the Judge at once and expressed
pleasure at meeting him.
They Like Photographs.
Wherever the Indians went they were
greatly Interested in the large group photo
graphs hanging In the various, offices of the
Indian bureau and the Interior Department,
and Little Wound succeeded in picking out
his own face in several Of them There is
nothing an Indian likes better than to have
his photograph taken, and he will sit as
still as post in front Of the camera. Sew
eral times during the day Little Wound ex-