Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1899-09-29
INDIAN FRIENDSHIP.
A RAILROAD WHICH KNOWS THAT IT
IS WORTH HAVING.
The Delightfully."- Informal Manner
In which nn Error In Right OF
Way Payment to Il Red skinned
Tribe Was Corrected.

The DeliRhtfully Informal Manner
In which nm Error In IA 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.
The Indian Is no fool" said Great
Northern official with whom | discuss
ed the subject. He knows when he
is well 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, number of ponies
were killed 10y accident. We promptly
paid for them, and the owners We're
satisfied. \ few cunning Sioux thought
they saw in the situation an opportuni-
ty to make money and drove their pO-
MES 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 q misunderstanding
that we have had"
A AsSood story is told Of a big chief
WHOM anted to trade 100 ponies for u
LOCOMOTIVE. He did not appreciate the
utility of the track and thought he
could dash over the prairles at will
with the iron horse. 1t took some time
and patience to get the idea out OF the
chiefs head, but he finally relented. 1t
was. however, a great disappointment.
Another Story is connected with pay
ment for the right Of way through the
reservation. II 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 strange Incident happened out
on the prairie.
A solitary Indian, feathered in state
ly fashion and mounted on horse Of
rare beauty. occupied conspicuous
position beside the track and gave the
engineer 4 friendly signal to stop. of
went the steam, and a gentle touch Of
the airbrake brought the long train to a
standStill.
The red man explained that he repre-
sented his tribe iu matter Of right of
way. There had been 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 10 his Indian friends.
For the engineer this was a 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 talked like one who understood
his business and was telling the truth.
The amount involved was only q
few dollars and the conductor looked
as wise as possible. He was a man
of common sense sharpcned 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 cash 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 u lever.
! For an instant party of eastern
capitalists occupying an observation
car We're face to face with the Indian
/ horseman. The white men received n
/ lasting impression Of majestic dignity
and grace. The red man was dazZled
never dreamed.
The extremes Of civilization and say
agery had met and parted in friend
! ship. The Indian, according to tribal
| custom, reported the success Of his
mission with solemn formality and
suppressed joy.
! The train conductor, according to
the regulations Of the modern cor
poration, made q notation to the au-
dtor 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 Il 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 are times when common
sense may serve good purpose
AtphiSpu tLlOhn