The times., 1899-03-19
Avenged THE MURDER
OF HIS BROTHERS
Growing Chief, an Assiniboin,
Kills One Of the Blaekfeet.
Carried Out His oath Made Twenty
Years Ago.
Occurrence of u Tragedy in. Hos
of LonE-Treasrred Wronss.

Correspondence of the Chicago Inter ocean.)
stabbing aifray that occurred here the
other day reveals very interesting phase
of Indian character. 1t was briefly men
toned in the local papers, but as usual in
anything pertaining to the Indians. the
facts and motives OF the case were not
given.
Twenty or more years ago young man
named No Coat. son of Chief Running
Crane, with several of his comrades, all
members OF the Crazy Dog society, deter
mined to make a raid on the enemy. In
those days the Blackfeet were at war with
all the surrounding tribes, the Snakes.
Crows, Cheyennes. Sioux. Assiniboins.
Crees. and Flatheads No Coat and his
band invaded the Assiniboin country and
killed two warriors. brothers OF Growing
Chief, and then returned to their camp.
OF late years the Blackfeet and Assini-
boins have been at peace. Between them
live the Gros Nentres. tribe having
friendly relations with both nations. The
Government has long forbidden the Black
feet to hold their annual religious cere-
mony which they call "O-Kan; His
Dream" But II there is any one thing
which any people hold dear it is their re-
ligion. and somehow they have succeeded
in observing It each succeeding season.
Last July. as usual. the people assembled
10 carry out this ancient observance. The
O-Kan, or. as the frontiersmen say, the
medicine lodge. was TO be built on a wide
plain above the agency little way. Not
only were all the Blacl;feet assembled
here. but from the North, away over in
the province of Alberta, came their breth-
ren, the Bloods and North Piegans. fnd
from the Bear Paw country some GTos
Nentres and Crees. With many prayers
and ceremonies the people built the great
lodge, and made sacrifices to the sun OF
the best they had. The sacred tongues
(now OF beef, alasD which had been so
carefully cut and dried by the medicine
women with many a peculiar rite and
song, were distributed. very small piece
to each one. and while the people prayed
and tasted. imploring the sun to give long
life and happiness TO them and theirs,
outside the men rehearsed their deeds
and valor with the aid of others, giving
a living, active picture OF how they had
killed an enemy; how he had fallen; how
they had rushed forward and scalped him
or taken his weapons.
Among others No Coat came forth and
recounted his deeds. Besides other sue
cesses he told of going TO war against the
Assiniboins, and Just above Cow Island of
having suddenly met three of them in the
brush two of whom he killed and scalped.
As he went on with his story every part
of 1t was acted out, three young men rep
rosenting the three Assinibotns. First they
fired at him; then he shot two OF them and
the third turned and ran. He rushed forth
and scalped the fallen ones in triumph and
at the close OF the dramatic scene was
cheered and applauded by the spectators.
In due time. the religious festival being
over. the Gros Ventres returned to their
country loaded down with presents their
wealthy friends, the Blackfeet. had given
them. Also they drove before them large