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

In Which an Error In II Right of
Way Payment to "a Red Skinned
Tribe Was Corrected.
AS tho 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.
''Thc Indian is no fool said Great
Northern official with whom discuss-
ell the subject. ''IIc knows when hc
is we'll treated and seldom expects
anything unreasonable. This railroad
has never knowingly done an Indian q
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, n number Of ponies
were killed by accident. We promptly
paid for them, and the owners were
satisfied. A few cunning Sioux thought
they saw In the situation un opportuni-
ty to make money and drove their DO
nies on the track to be killed and paid
for. We discovered the trick and an.
pealed TO the chief, who promptly sun
pressed the iniquity. This is the near
est approach to Il misunderstanding
that we have had
A good story is told Of Il big chicf
who wanted TO trade 100 ponies for Il
locomotive. He did not appreciate the
utility Of the track and thought he
could dash over the prairics ut will
with the iron horse. It took some time
and patience to get the idea out OF the
chiefs head. but he finally rcented. 1t
was. however. II great disappointment
Another story is connected with pay
mcnt for the right of way through the
reservation. 1t may not be quite nc
curate in letter. but Is true in spirit.
The through express from st. Paul to
Helena had not been running long
when u strange Incident happened ont
on the prairie.
A solitary Indian, featllercd In state
ly fashion and mounted on q horse OF
rare beauty, occupied n conspicuous
position beside tile track and gave the
engineer q friendly signal to stop. or
went the steam, and gentle touch Of
the airbraSe brought the long train to n
StandStill.
The red man explained tina 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. Ia 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 he
just to his Indian friends.
For the engineer this was Il poser.
He had no idea that he was diplomat
but he was, all the same. He called
the conductor, and all three discussed
the case. The white men knew moth
ing OF the merits of the matter. The
indian talketl like one who understood
his business and was telling the truth.
Tie amount involved was only q
fewAdollars, and the conductor looked
as wise as possible. He was O man
or common sense sharpened by from
tier life. With due deliberation he
wrote out receipt, which the Indian
ambassador signed and the engineer
witnessed. C;is money was paid out
OF the cash collections. and the con-
ference was at an end.
The red mcn mounted Ills horse and
applied his spurs. The engineer step
ped into the cab and pulled q 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 '0f majestic dignity
and grace. The red man was dagsled
by 0.vision OF luxury cE which he had
never dreamed
The extremes Of ftlvilization and saw
agery h6d met and parted in friend
ship. The Indian, according to tribal
CUSTOM, reported the success Of his
mission with solemn formally and
suppressed Joy.
Tho train conductor, according to
the regulations Of the modern cor
p0ration, made notation to the au-
dit0r on q blank form provided for the
purpose, explaining why he was short
in his cash and asking that his report
be held in abeyancc until he could se-
cure the. approval nf his irregular act
by q higher official.
The approval came, with statement
that the INDIAN was right. There had
been q mistake In the right of way
settlement. 1t was also stated that
the president Of the railroad had in
timated that while rules are sacred
things there nre times when common
sense may serve q good purpose.-