The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1900-02-15
INDIANS GOOD WILL.
Western Railroad Men Think 1t Is
Worth Having.
what Takes Place when the Bs-
tremes Of Civilization ~1d saw
agery Are Brought Close
Together.


big Sioux reservation in Montana on
the overland express he is impressed
with the uniform respect with which
the Indians treat everybody connected
with the railroad.
"The Indian is no fool" said Great
Northern official with whom discussed |
the subject. HE knows when he is
well treated and seldom expects any |
thing unreasonable. This railroad has |
never knowingly done an Indian a |
wrong. We paid literally for the right |
TO cross the reservation, and any diff |
| ferences that arise are treated with con-
sideration. We never try to impose up
| on the Indians in any way, nor do we
| permit them to impose upon us. When
/ trains first began to run through the
/ reservation a number of ponies were
killed 10y accident. We promptly paid
/ for them and the owners were satisfied.
/ 4 few cunning Sioux thought they saw
/ i'm 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
iuiquty. This is the nearest approach
to misunderstanding that we have
had"
good story is told of big chief who
wanted TO trade 100 ponies for a loce
motive. lie did not appreciate the
utility of the track and thought he could
dash over the praries at will with the
iron horse. 1t took some time aud 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
meut for the right Of way through the
reservation. 1t may not be quite accu-
rate in letter, but il Is true in spirit,
The through express from st. Paul 10
Helena had not been running long
when a strange incident happened out
on the prairie.
\ solitary Indian, feathered in state.
~ fashion and mounted on horse of
rare beauty, occupied a conspicuous po-
sition beside the track and gave the en-
ginoer a friendly signal to stop. on
! went the steam and a gentle touch of
t the airbrake brought the long train TO n
, standstill.
|, The red man explained that he repre-
! scented his tribe in d matter of right Of
way. There had been a mistake and the
railroad oughttu pay some moro money,
u In this formal and diplomatic manner
the Indian explained, the matter was
c presented for adjustmeut in full con-
!, ndcncc that the great white chief who
e built the railroad would be just TO his
q Indian friends.
For the engineer this was a poser,
lie had no idea that he was a diplomat,
but he was, all the same. He called the
/ conductor, and all three discussed the
- case. The white men knew nothing OF
4 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
j dollars, and the conductor looked as
o wise us possible. He was man of com,
c mon sense, sharpened by frontier life,
n With due deliberation he wrote out res
I ceipt, which the Indian ambassador
n signed and the engineer witnessed. Tbs
: money was paid out of the cash col
lcctions and the conference was at an
G end.
r The red man mounted his horse and
applied his spurs. The engineer stepped
into the cab aud pulled lever
For an instant party Of eastern cap
italists occupying an observation cal
were face TO face with an Indian horse
n man. he white men received a lasting
impression of majestic dignity and
grace. The red man was dazzled by q
= vision Of luxury of which he had never
& dreamed.
Il The extremes of civilization and saw
- agery had met and parted in friend
II ship The Indian, according to triba
=, custom, reported the success of his mis-
D sion with solemn formality and sup
. pressed joy.
4 The train conductor, according TO thu
II regulations of modern corporation
"A made a notation 10 the auditor on
blank form provided for the purpose
explaining why he was short in hi
cash and asking that his report be helC
in allegiance until he could secure tn,
approval of his irregular act by higher
official
ni The approval came, with a statement
n that the Indian was right There ha,
been mistake in the right Of way set
Element, 1t was also stated that tn
Ol president of the railroad had intimate,
re that while rules are sacred things Their
are times when common sense ma.
serve good purposc.-Atchison Globe
Man Drunk, nIocIs signals sober.
10 The introduction Of block signals OF
J. railroads running fast express train
a has lessoned the danger and also ere
re ated a feeling Of safety in the minds o