The Wadsworth dispatch. [volume] (Wadsworth, Nev.) 1892-1899, 1896-04-08
JOHNSON SIDES.
He Is an Indian With Broad, Benevolent
Views. PhilanhrOpiSt Of The
Piutp Tribe.

Everybody has heard of johnson
Sides. though, perhaps, there are few
benighted white people whom adverse
fate has denied the benefit of his ee-
waiting acquaintance. johnson Sides is
an Indian and a true philanthropist, and
he proudly wears badge that describes
him as the United States Peacemaker.
In these cynical, decadent DAYS a man
who takes himself seriously is rare to !
find, but Johnson is such an one. He
believes firmly in the value of things
OF life of the world of the Piute tribe |
and himself Viewed from an up-to-
date standpoint, with its lack OF faith
and veneration, he is freak, curiosi-
ty, an odd bird. From the point of
view OF one who believes in the everlast-
ing goodness of things he is an honest,
earnest, serious man. working in the
blind, weak way alone open to his un-
tntored mind for the good of his people.
The articles of his faith are very
simple. They are contained in few
words. He believes in being peaceable
and sober, and to his mind education is
theo open seasame to Indian salvation.
Education is his hobby. The general
welfare of the Piutes and the obligation
upon everybody to obey the laws of
Uncle Sam are matters OF great import
ance, but education towers above them
like mountain.
johnson likes to talk about the mat
ters close to his heart, and he knows
that newspaper is intended to circu-
late news and distribute ideas. Hence,
about ten days ago, bent upon reaching
the public through these columns, he
came stealing silently into the Chronicle
holy of holies, and in his simple child
like way; delivered himself of series of
remarks which he asked to be published.
When about to begin his address he
soberly directed the writer to take PEN
Gil and paper and write down his words
as they were delivered, and his request
was complied with. Lack of space pre-
vented the publication of his remarks
until today. In the interim he haunted
the office like nemesis. He came in
time after time, always grave, always
patient, always in deadly earnest. to ask
when he should find his precious COM
munication in print.
The regularity of his visits led some
one to say that there were three things
that could not be escaped-death, eter
nifty and johnson Sides. The unfailing
gravity and sincerity of the man are the
things that strike home. If it were not
that he never forgets that he is johnson
Sides, the Peacemaker, humanitarian,
a man respectfully recognized by Uncle
Sam-the Government-and the Moses
of his tribe, he would sometimes weary
of his self appointed tasks and lay them
down.
The writer did not succeed in trans
cribing his words verbatim, but the fol-
lowing ia weak attempt to do so:
"Me been back here two months
maybe little over; | think so. l go Reno
16 years ago and | stayed there ever
since. For, you see, on account wood
and water he be live there rheaper.
"Down Wadsworth great many In
dian. Happy time ev'ry day. Down
washervation Cap'n Dave, Cap'n Match
es, Moroway jim; dey all happy down
dere; feel very bad that las fall that
Frank Jones and Spanish Frank Smith
was Johnny Buster killed 'em. Spanish
Frank he was lived over 30 years with
Injun; he have Injun wife got tnat big
a boy; go to school now.
"All children go school; happy time
ev'ry day; down dere, Washervation.
That's where Major Wuttin, that's agent
he live. Same time, got no children.
tell Injun send children get that edu-
cation; that best a thing, good educa-
tion. That's what l say; yes; that's
what.
ave have to take by law (obey the
law}. We have to take 1t by State by
county; by United States law; under
Government, Uncle Sam. He our
father protect us. Never mind old
times; don't talk about Messiah; God
knows when world comnn' to end
that s what we say. Yes, say that's
what | say. Children get along good
Walker Lake Washervation. One hun