Daily camera. [volume] (Boulder, Colo.) 1891-1928, 1900-02-16
INDIANS GOOD WILL.
a. - .-.'-t. - :.
Wooteln Railroad Men Think Il Il
| Worth Having.
What IAkes Place when the ~
t1esass u Civilization AID saw
aeeey Are Bro1ght C1ose
Together.

WIN Tue I6AIO0l.
''The Indian is no foo" said Great
Northern official with whom discussed
the subject. He knows when he is
well treated and seldom expects any.
thing unreasonable. This railroad ha,
never knowingly done an Indian, .
wrong. We paid literally for the right
to cross the reservation, and any diff
ferences that arise are treated with con-
alteration. We never try to impose up
on the Indians in any way, nor do we
trains hrst began TO run through the
reservation . number of 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 opportunity to make
money and drove their ponies 10 the
track TO be killed and paid for. We dis
covered the trick and appealed TO the
chief, who promptly suppressed the
iniquity. This is the nearest approach
to a Misunderstanding that we have
had"
Agood story is told Of big chief who
wanted to trade 100 ponies for loco
motive. 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 pa
thence TO get the idea out Of the chiefs
head. but he finally relented. II was,
however, great disappointment.
Another story is connected with pay
meat for the right of way through the
reservation. 1t may not be quite accu-
rate IN letter, but it 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 po-
sition beside the track and gave the en-
gineer 4 friendly signal to stop. on
went the steam and gentle touch of
the airbrake brought the long train to .
standstill.
The Fed man explained that he repre-
sented his tribe in a matter of right of
wsy. There had been mistake and the
railroad ought to pay some more money.
In this formal and diplomatic manner,
the Indian explained, the matter WAS
presented for adjustment, in full con-
fdence that the great white chief who
built the railroad would be just to his
Indian friends.
=
He had no idea that he was diplomat,
but he was, all the same. He called the
j. cond uctor, and all three discussed the
case. The white men knew nothing 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 few
dollars, and the conductor looked as
wise as possible. He was man Of COM
mon sense, sharpened by frontier life.
With due elaboration he wrote out re-
ceipt, which the Indian ambassador
signed and the engineer witnessed. The
money was paid out of the cash col
lectiens and the conference was at IN
end.
The red man mounted his horse and
applied his spurs. The engineer stepped
into the cab and pulled lever.
For an instant party of eastern cap
italists occupying an observation car
were face to face with an Indian horse
man. The white men received lasting
impression Of majestic dignity and
grace. The red man was dazzled by
vision of luxury of which he had never
dreamed.
The extremes of civilization and saw
-agery had met and parted in friend
ship. The Indian, according to tribal
custom, reported the success of his mis-
sion with solemn formality and sup
pressed joy.
The train conductor, according to the
regulations of a modern corporation,
made q notation to the auditor on q
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 secure the
approval of his irregular act by higher
official.
The approval came, with statement
that the Indian was right. There had
been q mistake in the right Of way set
Element. It WAS also stated that the
president Of the railroad had intimated
that while rules are sacred things there
are times when common sense may
serve a good purpose.-Atchison Globe.
Mas Drank, Block Signals sober.
The Introduction of block signals on
railroads running fast express trains
has lessened the danger and also ere
ated q feeling of safety in the minds of
those who are compelled to travel to