Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-06-09
PULLED HIS ROYAL NOSE.
DR.. McGillicuddy's Encounter with
Chief Red Cloud.

LID RED CLOUD, the noted Sioux
~ Indian. Is dying in his shack on
| the Ogallala reservation at Pine Ridge,
Neb., writes correspondent of the
Chicago Chronicle.
Red Cloud is the single survivor of
that famous coterie of Sioux Indian
leaders of which Old-Man-Afraid-of-
His-Horses, Spotted Tail and Sitting
Bull helped to make history on the
western prairies. 1t cannot be truth
fully said, however, that "Old Red"
as he is Familiarity known, was as pow
erful In war or debate as the three great
chieftains who have been mentioned.
he possessed all their craftiness, and
it cannot be denied that he enjoyed
certain elements of personal magnet
ism which marked him as leader
among his tribesmen. he was pre-
eminent in planning mischief. but he
was. as a rule, mysieriously absent
when his plans were carried out ac-
cording to his mapping.
Perhaps the most atrocious piece of
work in which he took a hand was the
QIl NlChlnuCJ udood~ANy IL
over a score of United States soldiers
were led into ambush and slaughtered.
That was when be was vigorous young
buck. Before this lamentable tragedy
''Old Red" was a common marauder,
full of devilment, and it is probable
that be took many a scalp from the
wagon trains then on their way to
Utah and the land of gold beyond the
Rockies.
But for the last 80 years Red Cloud
has led comparatively peaceful life.
While his crafty counsel was often
sought by his tribesmen, and his rank
among them was that of leader. the
government did not clothe him with
the dignity of chieftain, but reckoned
him only as Red Cloud, powerful
enough without a title, and yet too
dangerous to be its possessor.
When the Sioux and Cheyennes. re-
belled against the invasion of gold
seekers in the Black hills in 1876 Red
Cloud did not go on the war path, al
though many of his band cast their
fortunes with Sitting Bull, Gall, Grass
and Rain-in-the-Face, and were finally
forced 10 sue for peace on the British
line. But while Red Cloud was TO all
appearances a friendly Indian. his
neart was with the hostiles, who were
crimson;ng the grass along the Little
Big Horn with the blood of the Sew
enth's troopers Red Cloud, however,
was too cunning to leave his agency
for war. While the Sioux had the ben
efits of the workings of the red lead
er's willy brain, Red Cloud himself
knew too well what would be the ulti-
mate outcome Of the uprising, and
therefore held aloof.
II was In consideration of "Old Reds
absence from the theater of conflict
that the government built the warrior
a substantial two-story frame house at
Pine Ridge and painted it white. 1t is
Today the most pretentious dwelling
on the great ogallala reservation. The
building stands near White Clay creek.
rife shot distance from the agency
buildings, and at the foot Of long
range OF Duties.
Red Cloud watched the CONSTRUCTION
II his house with satisfied curiosity.
He figured that it was sort of payment
for his ponies which the government
confscated during a time when the
soldiers were az war with the Sioux
and for which be had never received
oennv. This bit of robbery. for It
amounted to little else. ranked and
sin raukles in the breast Of the old
fellow. Always bitter enemy OF the
whites. this wholesale swoop on his
berd forever sealed his hatred. When
he house was finished. the carpenters
srected a pole in front of the house and
eoisted the American flag. The spec
,scle Of the emblem flying above his
WI abode so angered Red Cloud that
he. cut the halyards and tore the nag
80 strips as soon as ii fell futtering |
% The ground. The staff still stands
= front Of the house, but no one again
lid 10 float the emblem from its tow
sring peak
Red Cloud was a vain and exclusive
r,dian. BE seldom offered counsel.
I, was always sought BE was too
.,rnnous to mingle in dances unless
~ were held in the round omaha to
- east Of his house. BE was con-
.-sons Of his power and fame. II the
-. VAS lax or vacillating "0ld Red"
= n, reservation 10 suit himself
-. --~~e~nfno Indian reservations /