The Press., 1898-08-18

feathers, string OF sleigh-bells, and
enough red paint to cover a good-sized
barn.
One In whom took great deal of in
terest was John Greyface, q former Sioux
chief, who is pleasant old fellow and a
general favOrite at the agency. The
Sioux City Journal, about one year ago,
published a very interesting item on Grey
face, telling about his deeds of bravery
during the wars between the tribes. He
was known as the "white mans friend"
and scalped great many Indians to pro-
tect the white settlers. Greyface is now
very earnest member of the church.
The Indian names were of great deal
of interest to me, and a visitor at the
agency should not fail to look at the gov
ernment register. Among those we saw
were Charles Crowdog, Iron Hawk, Fly
Ing Hawk, Feather-in-the-ear, who Is the
present chief Of the Siouxs, and who be-
came famous among his people by steal
ing thirty spotted ponies, and Abraham
Four Generations, who is a particular
friend OF Lieut.. Leltner's. Mrs. Johns
ton, the matron at st. Paul's, is known
as Wiuntauka (big woman), and Lieut..
Leltner was was always called Wiuntauka
HOkslna (big woman's boy), while / was
introduced as "The boy from Connecticut,
long way off," The longest name heard
was "The-man-whO- O-bOred-a-hole-in-the
log-with -his-nose." The Indians often
name white person by some deformity
or from personal appearance, and are not
at all delicate about alluding to either in
the presence of the one who received the
name.
l had been very anxious since my ar
rival on the reservation to see genuine
Indian dance, and when we started for
the camp In the evening to witness grass
dance | was, as the lieutenant described
it, "Crazy to see them make fools OF
themselves" The dancing ground was
inside circle made by sticking boughs
in the ground, with space left for the
entrance and exit of the dancers. Around
this circle sat the performers and the
squaws. The costumes were varied, some
of them being very much abbreviated.
Most of the dancers wore nothing but a
"breech CLOTH" a few beads, feathers,
moccasins, sleigh bells and a "coat of
many colOrs," made of paint. In the GEN.
ter sat the orchestra, the only musical
instrument being drum or "tom-tom." "
Suddenly heard low growl or grunt,
and the music began. At the same time
three or four bucks arose and began to
dance. These were soon followed by
others, till at last they formed a COM
plete ring. The dancing consists In hop
ping from one foot to the other, and
twisting and turning the body with every
beat of the "tom-tom," each dancer yell
ing ''hi-yi" at the top of his voice. Soon
there was pause, followed by series of
loud yells. We were here informed by
an old Indian standing near us that they
were cheering for Dewey and Sampson.
Then came the presentation of gifts. AS
soon as an Indian becomes excited he
wishes TO give away something. One
buck gave away his squaw and pony
during the dance, and several presented
their friends with moccasins, beads, pipes,
etc. Finally the orchestra resumed, and
the same dancers began their contortions.
This they keep up all night. The Indian
story-teller is in great demand at these
dances, and usually tells of his own brav-
cry, and as rule his stories contain very
little truth.
Presently one of the party inquired If
had seen enough, and as assured her my
curiosity had been fully satisfied, we left
the camp for the mission. The next day
we spent in looking about the agency and
old Indian burying ground, and started
home Wednesday, the 9th, making the
journey in three days. The trip was
very pleasant one, full of interesting and
amusing experiences, and one that shall
never forget, although my idea of Indians
Is not quite.as exalted as before my visit
to the agency. Yours truly,
RICHARD W. ELLIS.