The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1899-12-22

were by no means pleasant place for
anyone who would venture to oppose
him in anything, or to claim that any
one surpassed him in bravery or in
generosity. None could be more as
siduous or more recklessly brave in
searching all possible hiding places
Tor enemies supposed to be lurking
near, and it is said he had several
very narrow escapes in encounters
with small parties, single handed
overcoming two or three or even four
OJlbwas. He never boasted of these
achievements personally so far as |
know, but rather of his deeds of kinds
ness, and | suppose that the stories |
have heard were gross exagerations.
1t is my impression that he never after
he was fully grown participated in
war party invading an enemy's an
try. The explanation given by him
and his band was that Sleepy Eye
fought only warriors, not women,
children or towards. | have however
often heard it explained by romantic
story, never told by him or any Of his
band. 1t may not be founded in fact
but illustrates his character. When
boy about grown he was persuaded
to go with two other boys on war
party. They succeeded in finding
family travelling alone by canoe some
miles from help. They killed the father
and according to the same version
son. They did not wish to kill the
women, and let the old woman 90.
The daughtera, remarkably handsome
and robust girl was so valuable for
the matrimonial market that they ven-
tnred to cucumber themselves with
her, and adjudged her to be the prop
erty Of Sleepy Eye, to marry or sell to
another as a wife, as he saw fit. Des-
cending swiftly the St. Croix in the
canoe they stopped to rest near Still
water. Becoming exhausted by sever
al days of almost constant exercise
without rest the others soon fell
asleep. He could not understand q
word of Ojibwa, she not a word of
Dakota, but her sorrowful conntenance
SO worked upon his sympathy that he
not only permitted her to escape, but
tired as he was, accompanied her
many miles toward her home He
met a pursuing war party OF Ojibwas
but fortunately saw them before they
saw him. The girl was probably
grateful enough to detain the pursuers
as long as possible in conversation.
By supreme effort he reached his
companions some miles in advance of
their pursuing canoes. He found
them still sleeping, awakened them
and gave warning of the danger and
they started in the canoe. The pur-
suing Chippewas miles behind were in
sight, but SO far away that they were
in no great danger as they did not
appear to be gaining. Sleepy Eye
gave out and could not keep awake
but his companions succeeded in
maintaining safe distance as long
as the pursuers ventured to follow.
It is said that his companions attrib-
uted his sleepyness to illness, but he
told the whole story and they ridicaled
him mercilessly. This is one Of the
various stories related as the cause of
receiving his name. He no doubt had
it before, but if the story be true, the
occurrence would certainly have given
him new name, if it had not strength.
ened his former one.
In the war of 1912 the traders among
the Dakotas all employed by British
company, used all their influence and
much of their means which the officers
who autho rized them utterly failed in
inducing the British gov vsrnment to
sustain, to secure the aid Of the
Dakotas. The majority of the tribe
could not be pursuaded to participate
in war that did not concern them.
The British succeeded in pnr5uading
Little Grow father of the detastable)
and for a short time Wanata with at
the most between 100 and POO warriors
to go but never ventured to bri lg the
matter before council. Some of the
chiefs were more influential on the
side OF neutrality than 81 epy Eye,
but no other was SO active although
he had previously been warm friend
to the traders, who it is said, told him
unless he aided they would make him
no more presents as q chief and would
to break up his band, but
persuasion, offers Of gifts, and
threats were alike unavailing. The
threats were more serious than we
would be inclined to suppose. tThe
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