The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-23
RED CLOUD NEARs THE GRAVE.
The Famous War Chief Is Very Feeble
and Nearly Blind.

SIOUX FALLS. S. d., April 22.-At his
home near Pine Ridge Agency, Red Cloud,
the last of the great war chiefs, is quiet
ly passing the twilight of his long and
eventful career. Red Cloud is the last OF
the long line of famous Indian chiefs. OF
which Powhattan, Osceola, Black Hawk
and Tecumseh were the earlier leaders.
"Misinformed and careless writers" said
c. c. Marrival. of Pine Ridge Agency.
while in the city performing his duties as
official interpreter Of the United States
Court, have caused newspaper readers TO
look subchiefs OF minor degree through
magnifying glasses. Red Cloud. during
late years has given his efforts toward
civilization; and because he wears ordinary
white mans clothes and because some OF
tho subchiefs stick to paint and feathers.
he has been considered In a wrong light.
Nevertheless. Red Cloud is far ahead OF
any and all OF them, having been distinc-
lively the war chief Of the powerful Sioux
Nation during the long years Of warfare
between the whites and the Indians
throughout the territory now embraced in
the Dakotas. Nebraska. Wyoming and
Montana.
when in his prime he was acknowledged
to be the greatest Indian tactician Of his
generation. Red Cloud for years has lived
quietly at his home. short distance north
west Of Pine Ridge Agency. on the bottom
land of White Clay creek. within plain
view of the agency. He lives in COM
Portable frame building. In front OF the
house stands a flag pole. and whenever.
Red Cloud sees that the stars and stripes
have been hoisted on the agency build
ings ne, 10 show his loyalty TO the United
States government. hoists similar nag
on the staff near his home.
During late years. Red Clouds eyesight
has steadily failed until to-day IL Is i'm
possible for him TO distinguish objects at
a greater distance than five or six yards.
On fine days. one OF the pathetic sights or
the agency is TO see Red Cloud slowly
making his way through the agency streets
leaning for support and guidance on his
faithful and devoted Indian wife. who
usually leads him about Red Cloud Is now
very old. and is becoming quite feeble. al
though his mind Is as clear as IL was In
his younger days. His wife Is nearly as
old, but is not nearly so feeble. and insists
on accompanying the old warrior In his
journeys around the agency and 10 the
homes OF old friends living I'm the imme-
date vicinity.
'.He seems to delight I'm calling on and
visiting the old-timers at the agency-in-
dams and squaw men. who lived with the
tribes during the thrilling days when Red
Clouds blood coursed through his veins
more holly than IL does now. and when his
sole ambition was TO lead his fierce war
riors in battle against the whites. He
passes many happy hours with them. dis
cussing incidents OF the past. old treaties
and other subjects in which they are mu-
tually interested.
Red Clouds influence over the members
of his tribe Is shown by the manner in
which they follow his advice In refusing
to accept allotments of land IN severalty
under act of Congress. Red Cloud WAS
satisfied that the land I'm the Pine Ridge
reservation was not suitable for agricul-
tural purposes, and he advised his breth-
rem not to take lands I'm severalty- Up 10
this tine not one Indian on the entire
reservation has taken an allotment
when Red Cloud dies. the whole Sioux
nation will turn out 20 do homage 10 his
memory and testify TO the great esteem