Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1897-06-19

become church members. AS people
we have permanent convictions We
believe in q Supreme God, and we have
a way of approaching Him. The sun
dance was one way. Personally, 1 be-
Heved in the sun dance in the old days,
and 1 have been prominent in it. We
have a sort of rude cross-whether it
means cross or Motive have somehow
got the idea to put medicine, and some
other things on the top of tree in
sort of cross shape. 1t resembles some
thing like the cross of the Christian
people, but we do not know how we
got the idea. Anyway, we got the idea
of putting something on the tree when
we worship God, and 1 believe we prac-
tice the religion more strictly than
white people do; that is, we do what
we preach. Whether anyone condemns
us or not, we do it,
Red Cloud. the famous war chief of
the Sioux nation. presented a pitifu1
spectacle. He is almost blind and very
feeble. He was led into the committee
room by an attendant. Senator Petit
grew. chairman of the committee,
speaking through the interpreter. said:
'-Red Cloud. L want to hear what you
have to say, and Will listen patiently
and help you if l can"
How" said the old man, as he arose
and took the senator's hand. How. i
will talk from my heart. There are no
lies in my heart.
Il am 70 years old and cannot see
very well. The light hurts my eyes. 1
was born on Bluewater creek, which
is branch of the Platte river. 1t is
about Is miles from the place Gen.
Harvey killed the Rosebud Indians. L
have usually lived in the vicinity of the
Black Hills. The Great Creator pro-
vided us abundantIy with buffalo and
deer, and the trees gave us their fruit.
The white man came and despoiled us.
/ first came here to see President Grant,
and all the other presidents have con-
sidercd me their friend. L have been
on Rosebud agency for % years. L
now come, as an old man, pleading
for my people. We do not want our
lands allotted to US in severalty. We
are willing to become farmers, as our
white brothers demand. but the lands
are bad and fit only for grazing and
raising cattle and horses. We have
tried to plant. but the sun in July and
August scorches everything. There is
not enough water for agricultural life.
There are only few places where even
the cattle can get a living in summer
time.
THE white men who came among us
when we were wild and married our
maidens are now part of our tribe,
and we want them and their children
protected. But we want no more white
men to come among u.s. They marry
our girls merely to obtain tribal rights,
and then they cheat us out of our best
lands. Il we punish them or drive them
out you send a big army. We want you
to keep them all away from us and
let us live in peace
Senator Pettigrew asked about the
sun dance, and American Horse said:
1.-THE sun dance is a period of reli-
gious excitement. Your missionaries
told us the Saviour will como again
Sometimes our young men think that
He is coming, and they dance and have
a good time 1t is all right"
Senator Pettigrew inquired: do you
think the Saviour will come to the In
dians?"
''Of course" replied American Horse.
when He came to the white men they
killed Him; and He viii come to the
Indians the next time, for we will re-
ceive Him gladly" SMITH d. FRY.
Drinking ON His Friends.