The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-05-01
SIOUX ENJOY
THEIR GAMES.
Social Events Held Frequently
on Observations.
THEIR GRAND MOCK FIGHT.
RspTsductions Of The Killing and Sealplng
ola Paxnss Brave Giving Away
Of Ponies.


notion that the Sioux Indians passes
their leisure time in smoking and defect
cdly musing on the past greatness Of
their nation, and that they do not have
auy pleasures 20 vary the monotony OF
life on their reservations, would be great
~ surprised could he re present during
one OF the social gatherings held quite
frequently at various rcints on their res
ervation. says the New York Evening
Post
At such time the stolid and dignined
indian seen az the agencies by the cas-
ual visitor throws aside his natural re-
serve as easily az ne would toss aside
a blanket. and with tho greatest zest en-
tcrs into tha sport unique TO the Indians
The last one Ot these gatherings among
the Sioux on the Rosebud reservation,
called by them the season OF sports. was
notable Fer a number or interesting fea-
lures.
GRAND CHARGE OF WARRIORS.
The season of sports tasted three days.
The morning OF tho first day opened
In the usual way by grand charge OF
Sioux at dsybreak. This was partici-
pated In by about 800 Sioux warriors.
All We're on horseback. and dressed
strictly In war costume, consisting OF "A
breechclout. the usual bonnet made OF
eagle feathers. with a double row OF
feathers extending down the back to be-
low the waist, while the horses had feRth-
ers in their tails and foretops and were
painted IN different colors.
The warriors were also painted in all
the colors OF the rainbow.
The Indians who participated i'm the
charge congregated about half a mile
from camp. i'm the deep rayine through
which flows Ponca creek, and were con-
cealed from the view of the warriors lert
in camp.
The latter were supposed TO represent
Pawnee Indians-the old-time enemies OF
the Sioux. The camp consisted OF l6l
lodges, which were bullt in "A ring shape.
50 as TO encircle about $40 acres OF ground
on the big plateau. In the centre of the
circle OF tepees was a lodge known in
Indian as Tipi Jyokihe
This was supplied with food by all the
women In the camp and any one WHO
felt 50 disposed could eat at any time
he wished Nearly all the old warriors.
those too feeble TO participate in the
sports spent most of their time at the
rcfreshment lodge. eating and relating
experiences Of the past, when they were
On the warpsth against the whites or
other Indian tribes.
Just as the day dawned on the east.
err horizon the 90 warriors, with blood
curdllng warwhoops ana horses at fun
speed rode into camp, ana for II min
utes made pandemCnium. The firing OF
guns and the constant wsrcry OF the ex-
cited warriors, mingling with the wailing
of the women, was sufficient To chill the
blood of any one not accustomed TO such
scenes.
After about 10 minutes OF fierce mock
fighting, I'm which five of the Pawnees
were supposed 10 be Killed, the Sioux re-
tired. driving before them about 100 DO
nies belonging 10 the Pawnees.
PAwNEE sCALPING A sToUN.
The Sioux lost only one man killed
They left him on the field and while re-
treating Pawnee brave, with all the
which was characteristic OF
that tribe in olden times. proceeded 10
scalp the victim. This was done by pass
ing a sharp knife around the top Of the
victims head
This was represented to show that al
though at this time the Sioux were
notorious there was one Sioux scalp left
I'm the possession Of a Pawnee brave. and
a Sioux warrior would at some future
time avenge the death of his brother.
This spectacle gave "a true representa-
ton Of how the Indians made war IN
years gone by. The dead Pawnees were
buried with suitable ceremonies In which
he loud wailing or the squaws bore no
small part.
Breakfast came next on tho program
After breakfast, which consisted chiefly I
)t bread and strong coffee. circle Fool
known throughout the Sioux nation as /
Dne OF the bravest OF the old-time war |
-iors. gave an exhibition OF how ne went |
)n horse-stealing expedition against
he Omaha Indians early IN the COS
AT this time the Sioux were encamped 4
rear old Fort Laramie. and the Omahas |
near their present reservation on the |
Missouri river, "a short distance north OF |
he city Of Omaha.
circle Fool az that time was quite a !
-oung man. and wishing TO make "a name /
or himself by doing some brave deed.
concluded that he would go on foot and I
llope TO the land OF the Omahas, and |
teal some OF their ponies.
After spending two or three davs in 1
with the Great Spirit during
which time he refrsined from eating. /
Thinking, or sleeping tas was the Gus /
ON OF the Sioux before taking "A long
urnejyj. he started early one morning I
n tho spring on his lonely and perlluus
Quincy of several hundred miles across
ne plains 20 the land OF the Omahas.
lie took with him nothing but his bow
4
neat which be- packed ou mis- back. for
10 depended mostly for kls food upon
What game he could capture.
His mission was entirely successful az
me evening near sunset he returned 20 |
he Sioux camp riding fine horse and
irving before him several others which
IL had stolen from the Omahas, despite
heir vigilance
The few clothes which he wore whom
e left were worn 90 shreds when he re-
urned. and his moccaslns gave evidence
Z his long tramp, the soles being entire
y gone.
As he came riding into camp he was a
light 20 behold and the Sioux nearly
ient Wild with JOY. Hts mission having !
rrniuatcd successfully. be- was now one
Z the warriors OF the tribe
lie was congratulated and fstcd by his
rethr~n until his heart was cuutcut
ud grand war dance was partlcipat..I
a by all the band in nOn0r OF his trium
hant return.
The representation 90 the episode in
h. lie of Circle Fool Was not concluded
ntil noon when the assembled Indians
cured for dinner Al o'clock the Sport
.as resumed
lrartX g. Al nTNrts A UkutNrrH