The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-31
INDIANS .fSD RAT ROADS.
A Western Road That Believes II Il Well
to Have the Red Mems Good VIII.
FROM "A, A;eh1On Da " Globe.


As the traveller passes through the big
Sioux reservation in Montana on the overland
express ho Is impressed with the uniform
respect with which the Ind ans treat every.
body connected with the railroad.
The Indian is no fool" said n Great
Northern official with whom | scuSsad the
subject lie knows when he Is we'll treated
and seldom expects anything unreasonable.
This railroad hns never knowingly done
an Indian wrong. We pail literally
for the right TO cross the reservation. and any
differences that arise are treated with colsid-
Grafton. We never try to impose upon the In
dians in any way. nor do we permit them 70
impose uron u. When trains first began TO
run through the reservation. a number ns
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 an opportun TO make money. and
drove their ponies to the track 10 be killed and
pad for. We discovered the trick AMI APP
, pealed 10 the chic'. who promptly suppressed
the iniquity. This Is tho nearest approach to
a misunderstanding that we have had"
A good story is told OF a big chief who wanted
to trade 100 ponies for a locomotive. He did
! not appreciate the utility Of the track and
thought he could dash over the prairies at will
with the iron horse. 1t took some time and
patience to get the ldea out Of the chIel's head,
| but no finally relented. IL was. however. q
| great disappointment
| Another story IL connected with payment for
the rixht Of way through the reservation. 1t
| NAV not be quite accurate in letter but II IL
! true In spirit. The throu gh express from st.
Paul to Helena had not been running long
J when q strange incident happened out on the
prairie.
A solitary Indian. feathered In stately
a Ia knn,
occu pied a onspicuous position beside the
track and gavo the engineer friendly signnl
TO stop. on went the steam and gentle touch
Of the airbrake brought the long train to a
| standItill.
The red man explained that he represen ted
his tribe In a matter OF right Of way. There
had been a mistake and the railroad ought +?
Xxx some NOR" money II this rnrma' ~ ~
matter was presented for adjustment In fpll
confidence that the great white chief who built
tho railroad would DO lust to HIS Indian
For the engineer this was a poser, He had
no ll"a that h. was diplomat. hut he WAS al
the SANE. He cnlle the conductor, AMI al
three discussed the case. The white mer
hn d merit; wSo 'Hr
business and was telling the truth.
The amount involved was only few dollars
and the conductor looked IA wise ms noss,b bile
i ire ill., VIII due dGIIbsrotion he wrote
signed and the engineer Witnessed The
money was paid out of the cash collections, an,
the con erance was a. an end
The red man mounted his horse and APPLIED
his spurs, The eng necr stepped into the cal
and pulled n lever.
For m instant n party NJ Eastern capitalists
orcupyirg mn observation car were face Il
face with the Indian horsrman. The white
men received lasting impression OF majestic
dignity and grnco. The rel man was ,lazZlet
by vision OF luxury OF which he had neve
| dreamed,
The extremes 81 civilization and sayagar!
| hnd met and parted In friendship. The Indinn
according TO tribal custom. rci orted the sue
cess Of his mission with solemn formality AM
suppressed JOY.
The train conductor according to tho regu
latIOns Of n modern corporation, made a no a
tlOn 10 the auditor on a blank form provided
for the purpose. explaining why he was shor
in his cash. aud asking that h report he hell
in allegiance until he coult secure the approva
Of his irr 'gular act Ivy u higher OfIicin'.
. The approval came, with statement tina
the Indian WIS right, There had been mis-
take In tho right-Of-wAv settlement, II wa
also stated that tho President Of the RAILROAD
had minated that while rules are sacrc
, things there are times when common sens
may serve good purpose.
Country Property To Let or For Sale
Surprising results are oiton realize IN de