The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-04-18
| SPORT OF SIOUX INDIANS
Warriors Feast and Indulge IN
Deeds of VaIOr for Three DAYS.
= sham Battle with PRyvnees-An
Exhibition of Circle Fools Horse
Stealing Expedition Against the
misunderstanding and Other Feats.

" littil TIE next month the l3Li4U fDjt-
reau viii receive notification from
the various Indian reservations that
the spring games and reproductions
Of famous battles among the warning
tribes which took place long ago viii be
held The Government makes no sDeciaI
preparation for these events. nor are the
Indians given extra rations in order to
help the celebration.
The first Of these annual celebrations
was held last week by the Sioux Indians,
and anyone who labors under the mis-
taken notion that these Indians pass
their leisure time in smoking and defect
edly musing on the past greatness of
their nation would be greatly surprised
could they be present during one of these
social gatherings held on their reserva-
ton. At such time the Stolid and Gigni-
he'd Indian seen at the agencies by the
casual visitor throws aside his natural
reserve as easily as he would toss aside
a blanket, and with the greatest zest en-
ters into the sports unique to the Indians.
The last one of these gatherings among
the Sioux on the Rosebud reservation.
called by them the season of sports, was
notable for number of interesting feat
uTeS.
The season of sports lasted three days.
The morning Of the first day opened in the
usual way by u grand charge of Sioux at
GaybTeak- This was participated in by
about two hundred Sioux warriors All
were on horseback and dressed striCkly in
war costume, consisting of a breech-Clout,
the usual bonnet made of eagle features,
with double row Of feathers extending
down the back to below the waist, while
the horses had feathers in their tails and
foTetops- and were painted in different col
oTs- The warriors We're also painted in
all the colors Of the rainbow The Indi-
ans who participated in the charge con-
gre&ated about half a mile from camp, in
the deep TavIne through which flows Pom
ca Creek, and Were concealed from the
view Of the warriors left IN camp The
latter were supposed to represent Pawuep
InuidnS-the old-time enemies of the
SIOUX l he camp consisted of f63 lodges
winch we're built in ring shape. so - to
eLcITcle about 500 acres Of ground on the
ing plateau In the centre of the circle
'L IEJtc6 NjS a lodge known in Indian
as Ilni Jynkihe. This was supplied with
food by all the women in the camo. and
onyone who felt 50 disposed could eat at
any time he wished Nearly ali the older
'TaIriorS, those too feeble to participate
actively in the sports, spent most OF their
time at the refreshment lodge. eating and
TeLATlng experiences Of the past yy-E9e-Tf
they were the waTpath against the
whites or other Indian tribes Gust as IN.
DAY ddwned on the eastern horizon. the
~ NGItitTS. Win BtOG0-CEfTGling
hoops ana horses at fan speed rode into,
camp and for fifteen minutes made nan
cefnonIun- The firing of guns and the
constant warCry of the excited warriors.
HInGHng with the W2iling OF the women
was sufficient to chill the blood OF anyone
no. accustomed to such scenes. After
ABOUT hfteen minutes of fierce mock ngnt-
ny III when I'VE Of the Pa wnees were
supposed to be killed. the Sioux retired
driving before them about Joe ponies be-
longing to the Pawnees
The Sioux lost ONLY one man killed
IEeE left him on the field and while re-
treating a Pawnee brave with all the
paFDdTlty which Was characteristic of
that tribe in olden times. proceeded 70
scalp the victim This was done nv r,ass-
ing sharp knife around the ton of the
victim mead This was reDreserIte17 70
snow that although at this time the Sioux
were VICTORIOUS, there was one Sioux
Scdip lett IN the possession of a PaWnee
brave who would at some future time
aTeESe the death Of his brother This
spectacle gave the true representation of
no" the Indians made war in wears gone
by The dead PawHeeS were buried with,
suitable ceremonies in which the loud
WaIlnS OF the SQuawS bore on small narr
breakfast came next on the prngf9 NINE
After breakfast. which consisted chiefly
OF bread and strong coffee. Circle Fool
Known throughout the Sioux Nation as
one OF braVest of the oId-tirne warriors
gave an exhibition of how he went on a
hGFSe-Stea.IEg expedition against the OrT73-
Ia Indians, early in the COS At this time
the Sioux Yer. encamp%d near old Fort
Laramie and the OrnahaS near their
present reservation, on the Wissouri
R!Eer- short distance north of the eitv
of Omaha
Circle Fool at that time was quite a
Young man. and wishing to make a name
ior himself by doing some brave deed
concluded that he would 90 on foot and
alone To the land of the O1nahas- and steal
some OF the ponies. After spending two
or three days IN communion with the
Great Spirit during which time he re
Trained from eating. drinking or sleeping
tds WIS the custom of the Sioux before
taking long Journey he started eszrfv
one morning in the SpTin3: on his lonely
ana pefll0uS Journey of several hundred
miles across the plains 20 the land Of the
Cnahas He took with him nothing but
his bow ana arrows. and a little dried
back for he depended mostly for his food
upon what game he could capture
his mission was entirely successful as
one evening near sunset he returned to
the Sioux camp riding Il fine horse and
DRIVING before him several others which
ne had stolen from the Omahas despite
their vigilance. The few clothes which ne
wore when he left Were worn 10 sfreds
hen he returned, and his n1occasius gave
evidence OF MS long tramp, the soIeS- be
ing entirely gone
As he came riding into camp he was =
sight to behold and the Sioux nearly went
Wild with joy His mission having terrni-
mated successfully. he was now one o. the
warriors of the tribe He was congratII-
lated and feted by his brethren until his
heart was content. and q grand Omaha
dance was participated in by all the band
IN honor of his triumphant return The
representation Of this episode in the life
OF Circle Fool was not concluded until
noon when the assembled Indians retired
Tor dinner At o clock the sport was re-
sumed.
The first exhibition was by BruIe
SIOUX who gave 4 representation Of how
WnFn a mere boy, he killed and ScaTDed a
HdWnee brave near where the Genoa In
dian School IS now situated in Ncbras-
ka. The reproduction. while rathe~ hid
eous. was well acted. 1t is a rule among
the Sioux that no wan rIor shah perform
any deed like the ones referred to unless
he actually had the personal experience.
Any indian who breaks this rule Is con
sldered disSraced, and Is jecred and sCof-
ed at by all who know him. In add
ton 10 this his disgrace is advertised
throughout the whole Sioux nation
After the conclusion Of the exhibitions
Of this character, the remainder IF the
day was spent in horse racing, foot rae
ing baseball. and other sports At night
the Omaha dance was the chief feature
The following days were nearly q reuet i
ton of the first day
During the celebration the supply OF
OF flour; 1Ji pounds Of sugar. 100 pounds
Of coffee. 10 head of beef steers, raisfus
prunes, canned goods, bacon. etc. These
occasions arouse the generosity Of the.
participants. There were five Omaha IN
dams in attendance and tn Sc were Dre-
scented with total of forty TWO head of
ponies by their Sioux hosts total of
over $50 ponies were given away during
the celebration.
Prof. NOhIstocEs Dead