New-York tribune., 1902-02-17
INDIANS SIDE OF QUESTION.
LEASING ON STANDING ROCK REsERvA-
TION CONSIDERED BY ONE WHO
HAS LIVED AMONG; THEM

HAS LIVED AMONG THEM.
To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: am glad TO that through your paper
you have shown your interest in the Indians. who
so much need help and sympathy at this critical
time
This matter OF leasing on the Standing Rock
Reservation is Of vital Importance to them.
1t is furthest from my wish to antagonize
government or the Indian Office, especially 1t
IS represented by Commissioner Jones. IN whom
for years I have had the greatest confidence.
most sincerely hope this confidence may not be
shaken. But 20 one who has lived among
the Indians nor even seen the character OF their
land It is difficult TO from the Indians point
of view and 10 understand the real situation.
However well meant the purpose may have been
in the present case the result the Indians would
be the same If 1t were carried out. And 10 them.
We who have been on the ground feel that IT
bring only loss and disaster.
For nearly ten years the writer has known the
country and many of the Indians Of that section
Of Standing Rock Reservation which IT has been
proposed TO lease to cattlemen without the
OF the Indians who own it. For more than six
years / have lived on Grand River a mission
ary under the American Missionary Association
and much OF the time the only white person
for miles around. and with other human being
within half mile OF my home I have driven
hundreds Of miles through the country Of the Da-
kota (or Sioux Indians, with only some Of their
own number guides and escorts, and was never
safer than when under such protection. although
only fifteen years ago these same Grand River Ind
ans in paint and feathers carrying on all their
oldtime customs Twelve years ago occurred the
capture and death OF Sitting Bull, not by white
soldiers. but by a little band of Indian police un-
der the government. One OF these men is in
Washington to-day one OF the delegation which
has come TO seek the protection of his people
Others-brave, true men-died in the struggle that
night soldiers die the field OF battle; their
relatives and friends and those made widows and
orphans by that fight are among those who. with
this delegation, seek protection for their
homes and their rights at the hands of the gov
eminent which they served and for which they
have suffered loss
Though these people have naturally the straight
forward simplicity of little children and
yet unframed and undeveoped mentally. yet they
are made OF the material that makes true
and women, good and loyal citizens and heroes
II heroism is called for. They not the stuff
that government afford ignore
crush by the superiority of numbers. For years
they have been loyal to the government. quiet.
peaceabe. law abiding people Their progress may
have been thought slow. but within fifteen years
they have changed their mode of dress and their
majority Of the men have had their hair cut vol
unfairly, including many of the older ones. And
there are some grand old men among them. They
have. as a people, largely given up their old re
lgion and are coming into the churches among
them, as consistent Christians as would be found
in any community, according to their light In
English language and the ways and industries OF
sonabiy expect greater progress in fifteen years
than change Of dress customs, religion and Ian
Is it said they lazy? furnish list
I personally know in the village where I lived
the village where "Ran-n-the- Face used to live
and tell you some of the work that each has done
M for me And could 90 on With similar n recital
their one. and the only hope of self-support that
is possible for them in that country is cattle rails
tried to do the hest they could with the limited
making prOViSiOD their stO
them more thoughtful and intelligent care. In the
lands unfed by tEem. unsheitered from the storms.
And when one died the Indian felt no poorer How
needed care that the wellbeing of each
1t took time learn these things. and meanwhile
cattle died. But they have begun TO realize, and
slant work and scanty food; but they are uncom-
planning, and contemplate their growing stacks
A few days ago I talking with the Indians
the proposed leasing In course of the conversa-
ton said in Their oTn aHggags & fer nom Of
paid you what you think is due on the back treaty
s3d M9d@ or ySG %oud If yo need it Rat % by l s
the money for the purchase of additional cattle
they Would need ali their land for their own herds
earnest smile at the very thought of such thing.
And yet, in view of the strenuous efforts that
have been made to get their land. they have ex-
certain now unoccupted tract II only they may
be allowed a voice in prescribing its boundaries.
Surely not an unreasonable request. To the tract
which II is proposed to lease the Indians have
not given their If II is put through 1t
will be under protest of the Indians who own the
land, and of those OF their friends who know their
environment and the people themselves and who
have at heart their best welfare. II will defeat
the very purpose for which it claims to be done,
for il is bound to bring only loss and disaster
the Indians undolng the work OF years of earnest
striving their part to do as the government has
wished them 10 do
For though l sincerely want to think it's orig
inal purpose well meant. who under
stands the real situation in it anything but
dire disaster the Indians
AS to the moral side of the question. We who
have lived among the Indians have two kinds
One kind. those who have come more or less in
contact with a lower class of white men. who.
seeking their own interests in various ways, have |
gone into the Indian country. These men have