The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-08-09
INDIAN FRIENDSHIP.
A RAILROAD WHICH KNOWS THAT 1T
is WORTH HAVING.

is WORTH HAVING.
The Delightfully."- Informal Manner
In which an Error In Right Of
Way Payment to Red Skinned
Tribe Was Corrected.
AS the traveller passes through the
big Sioux reservation in Montana on
the Overland express he is impressed
with the uniform respect with which
the Indians treat everybody connected
with the railroad.
1.-THE Indian is no fool said Great
Northern official with whom I discuss
ell the subject. "He knows when lie
is we'll treated and seldom expects
anything unreasonable. This railroad
has never knowingly done an Indian a
wrong. We paid literally for the right
to cross the reservation, and any diff
| ferenceS that arise are treated with
consideration. We never try to i'm
pose upon the Indians in any way, nor
do we permit them to impose upon us.
When trains first began to run through
the reservation, number Of ponies
were killed by accident. We promptly
paid for them. and the owners were
satisfied. \ few cunning Sioux thought
they saw in the situation an opportuni-
ty to make money and drove their po-
Iics on the track to be killed and paid
for. We discovered the trick and ap-
pealed to the chief, who promptly sup
pressed the iniquity. This is the near
est approach to Il misunderstanding
that we have had
a good story is told Of a big chief
who wanted TO trade 100 ponies for n
locomotive. lie did not appreciate the
utility of the track and thought lie
could dash over the prairics at will
with the iron horse. 1t took some time
and patience to get the idea out Of the
chiefs head, but he finally rclented. 1t
was, however. great disappointment.
Another story is connected with pay
mcnt for the right of way through the
reservation. 1t may not be quite ac-
curate in letter. but is true in spirit.
The through express from st. Paul to
Helena had not been running long
when Il strange incident happened out
on the prairie.
A solitary Indian, feathercd in state
ly'fashion and mounted on q horse Of
rare beauty, occupied a conspicuous
position beside the track and gave the
engineer q friendly signal to stop. OF
wenc the steam, and gentle touch Of
the airDrake brought the long train to Il
standstill.
The red man explained that lie repre-
sented his tribe in matter of right Of
way There had been a. mistake, and
the railroad ought to pay some more
money. In this formal and diplomatic
manner, the Indian explained, the mat
ter was presented for adjustment in
full confidence that the great white
chief who built the railroad would be
just to his Indian friends.
For the engineer this was Il poser.
He had no idea that lie was a diplomat,
but lie was, all the same He called
the conductor, and ali three discussed
the case. The white men knew moth
ing Of the merits Of the matter. The
Indian talked like one who understood
his business and was telling the truth.
The amount involved was only 81
few dollars, and the conductor looked
as wise as possible. He was q man
Of common sense sharpened by from
tier life. With due deliberation he
wrote out receipt, which the Indian
ambassador signed and the engineer
witnessed. The money was paid out
Of the casl collections, and the con-
ference was at an end.
The red man mounted his horse and
applied his spurs. The engineer step
ped into the cab and pulled lever.
For an instant party Of eastern
capitalists occupying an observation
car were face to face with the Indian
horseman. The white men received n
lasting impression Of majestic dignity
and. grace. The red man was dazzled
by q vision of luxury Of which he had
never dreamed.
The extremes oT'eivilization and saw
agery had met and parted In friend
ship. The Indian, according to tribal
custom, reported the success Of his
mission with solemn formallty and
suppressed JOY.
The train conductor, according TO
the regulations Of the modern cor-
poration, made notation to the all-
ditor on blank form provided for the
purpose, explaining why he was short
in his cash and asking that his report
be held in allegiance until he could Sc
cure the approval of his irregular act
by higher official.
The approval came, with statement
that the Indian was right. There had
been mistake in the right Of way
settlement. 1t was also stated that
the president of the railroad had In
tlmated that while rules are sacred
th;rrc thoro orn timaC when common