The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-01-06
PULLED HIS ROYAL NOSE.
Dr.. McGl1icuddy's Encounter with
Chief Red Cloud.

Neb., writes correspondent OF the
Chicago Chronicle.
Red Cloud is the single survivor OF
that famous. coterie of Sioux Indian
leaders of which Old-Man-Afraid-of-
sIis-Horses, Spotted Tail and Sitting
Bull helped to make history on the
western prairies. 1t cannot be truth
fully said, however, that "Old Red"
as he is Familiarity known, was as pow
erful in war or debate as the three great
chieftains who have been mentioned.
He possessed all their craftiness, and
it cannot be denied that he enjoyed
certain elements of personal magnet
ism which marked him as a leader
among his tribesmen. He was pre-
eminent in planning mischief, but he
was, as a rule, mysteriously absent
when his plans were carried out ac-
cording to his mapping.
Perhaps the most atrocious piece OF
work in which he took hand was the
Fort Mckinney massacre, in which
over a score of United States soldiers
were led into ambush and slaughtered.
That was when he was vigorous young
buck. Before this lamentable tragedy
"Old Red" was a common marauder,
full of devilment, and it is probable
that he took many scalp from the
wagon trains then on their way to
Utah and the land of gold beyond the
Rockies.
But for the last 80 years Red Cloud
has led comparatively peaceful life.
While his crafty counsel was often
sought by his tribesmen, and his rank
among them was that of leader, the
government did not clothe him with
the dignity of chieftain, but reckoned
him only as Red Cloud, powerful
enough without a title, and yet too
dangerous to be it's possessor.
When the Sioux and Cheyennes re-
belled against the invasion of gold
seekers in the Black hills in 1876 Red
Cloud did not 60 on the war path, al
though many of his band cast their
fortunes with Sitting Bull, Gall, Grass
and Rain-in-the-Face, and were finally
forced to sue for peace on the British
line. But while Red Cloud was to all
appearances a friendly Indian, his
neart was with the hostiles, who were
crimsoning the grass along the Little
Big Horn with the blood of the Sew
enth's troopers. Red Cloud, however,
was too cunning to leave his agency
for war. While the Sioux had the ben
efts of the workings of the red lead
er's willy brain, Red Cloud himself
knew too we'll what would be the ulti-
mate outcome of the uprising, and
therefore held aloof.
1t was in consideration of 'Old Reds
absence from the theater of conflict
that the government built the warrior
a substantial. two-story frame house at
Pine Ridge and painted it white. 1t is
to-day the most pretentious dwelling
on the great Oga.lala reservation. The
building stands near White Clay creek,
rifle shot distance from the agency
buildings, and at the foot of long
range of buttes.
Red Cloud watched the construction
Of his house with satisfied curiosity.
lie figured that it was sort of payment
For his ponies which the government
confscated during time when the
soldiers were at war with the Sioux,
and for which he had never received
penny. This bit of robbery, for it
amounted to little else, ranked and
still rankles in the breast Of the old
fellow. Always bitter enemy OF the
whites, this wholesale swoop on his
herd forever sealed his hatred. When
AZ ha nfo,.c
erected pole in front of the house and
hoisted the American flag. The spec
tacle of the emblem flying above his
own abode so angered Red Cloud that
he cut the halyards and tore the flag
into strips as soon as it fell futtering
the ground. The staff still stands
in front of the house, but no one again
tried to float the emblem from it's tow
ering peak.
Red Cloud was vain and exclusive
indian. He seldom offered counsel.
It was always sought. He was too
pompous to mingle in dances unless
they were held in the round omaha to
the east of his house. He was con-
scious of his power and fame. If the
agent was lax or vacillating "Old Red"
-an the reservation to suit himself.
agent ONCE with meek ana Iowly
dir, but one could rest assured that
his old red heart was in rebellion.
One day several years ago "Old Red"
! was missing from his reservation. Not
one OF his wives Or followers knew
whittier he had gone. AT least they
said so. Runners were sent here and
there. but no trace of the old fellow
could be found. Days passed, when
finally the agent received telegram
! from ', aington to the effect that Red
| Cloud, ssed in a ready--lade suit of
| clothes. al called at the white house to
see the president on his own hook.
Later it W.: learned that the aggrieved
| Traveller il sarned the executive that
| the agS,et MAS baby, that his people
| were &c ng pckaxes instead of beans
Tor ratiors and that, above all other
things, Z had not yet been paid for
the POM; the troops had taken from.
him. Y elk later Red Cloud appeared
on the reservation as unexpectedly as
he had dis ppeared. He had made the
long trip :. bout escort or permit, and
had made rs appeal single-handed and
witho. II presence of delegation of
his tris >nen, u custom which he held
in contempt.
| OF all The gents at Pine Ridge Red
Cloud held '.:t one in respect. This
was DR.. McGillicuddy, who now lives in
Rapid City, S. d., and who studied med
icine in Detroit. When DR.. MeGiilicud-
dy took charge of the reservation Red