Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1896-06-05
AN INDIAN GRAND OLD MAN.
Washable at NInety-two Rules the shO
shones With an Iron Hand.

Washable at NInety-twO Rules the ShO-
shones With an Iron Hand.
Major James Mclaughlin of the Indian
service saw some remarkably fine Indians
on his recent trip to the ShOshone country
in Wyoming. They are very different from
the Sioux and Chippewas in this part of
the country, principally because they have
not been demoralized by contact with the
worst class Of whites.
1.-The Shoshones and Arapahoes are not
as fine warriors as the Sioux, said the
major "That is, they lack in the fierce
attributes that have made the Dakotas to
be feared in warfare, but they are @ more
desirable people, Tee most striking fea-
ture of the tribes is their freedom from dis
ease. was told by medical missionary
that in all his experience among them he
never saw case of scrOfula, and this Is
really remarkable. 1t may be due to the
medicinal qualities of tho waters at Big
Horn Hot springs, but whatever the reason
the condition is unique among Indians.
The Shoshones and Arapahoes are oddly
mixed. They were for generations hered-
itary enemies, and now they live in peace
side by side on the same reservation. The
reservation originally belonged to the
Shoshones, and in the treaty by which
they were possessed Of it it was stipulated
that no other Indians should over occupy
It except by their consent. Some 20 years
ago tho Arapahoes, becoming tired Of war
faro and of wandering about, decided to
bury tho hatchet and go and live with
their enemies. Possession was had by a
demonstration of Indian nerve.
"Sharp Nose. the head chief Of the Ara
pahoes, took a couple of his head men with
4 4. .. -
agent and asked him to send for Washakie,
the chief Of tho Shoshones. When Wa
shake arrived, Sharp Nose told him that
he was tired of fighting and wanted to
bring his people on the reservation to rest
for few years. Washable was tired of
the warpath himself, and he gave them
permission to take up part OF the reserve.
And they have stuck there ever since.
"They are fixtures now, and they have
progressed much farther than the Sho-
shoncs in the arts Of civilization, and
many of them aro farmers and cattle rails
ers, while the original holders of tho reser- /
walton still live by hunting. The back
wardness of the Shoshones is due in largo
degroo to the attitude of Washakio, who is
ono Of the most remarkable Indian char
acters have ever met. He is an absolute
autocrut and a thOroughgoing Indian. Ho
will not permit the young men to do man
ual labor, for he considers it beneath the
dignity Of a warrior. If the old men
want to work, oil right, but the young
men must do nothing but hunt and be
ready to fight. lie is as absolute Us tho
cur with his people. When was treating
with the tribes for tho purchase CT ..:e
springs, they could not aRreo as to tho
manner of tho payment The Arapahoes
wanted their share Of the money invested
In cattle fnr them, whilo Washakie wanted
the money. Sharp Nose suggested in
council that perhaps thcro hnd better be n
conference between Washakio and bis
young men. Old Washakio Strengthened
up and said: what / do my people viii
do. ] nm chief The young men will do
as I say. And the old fellow vas right,