The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-06-24
SUGGEST TRAVERSE,
Dies sioux FOR THE
MURAL PAINTING
Members of the Historical So
Ciety Propose the Important
Eventas Appropriate Subject
for Decoration of New Capitol

The desire of the State horticultural
society for the commemoratiOnoo of some
important event in the history of Min
nesota In the shape of a great mural
painting for the new capitol has been
formally presented to the capitol COM
mission. ,f,-f.ss
AS subject for the proposed mural
painting the. society, through its com
mittee, of which James H. Baker is
chairman, has selected the great treaty
of Traverse des Sioux contaminated
July %, 1851
This treaty was closed at spot re-
Gently definitely located on the banks
of the Minnesota river, known as the
traverse des Sioux (the "Crossing"),
which long before had been an I'M
portant trading and missionary point.
At this selected spot the commission
which was to treat with the Indians
arrived June 80, 1851. They pitched
seven tents, and council chamber was
erected With poles and covered with
green branches of the trees. A plat
form OF boards was provided for the
commission where they sat in great
dignity, While board seats were ranged
around for the Indian chiefs and war
r1ors. There were several thousand
indians, of both sexes, present on the
ground. 5ffo yls
For an Indian treaty the equipment
was extraordinary. The government
was represented by Alexander Ramsey.
governor of the territory, and Luke
Lea, commissioner Of Indian affairs
while DR.. Thomas GFoster, their sec
retary sat at rude table. The saw
ages were represented by all the chiefs
and leading warriors of the different
Sioux bands. They were arrayed in all
the paint and feathers characteristic
Of that day
Catherine of NotabIes.
Among the great Sioux chiefs present
We're Sleepy Eye. Red Iron, Curly Head,
Big Gun. Orphan and other high peten-
some had Websterian heads. 70 .sss..
There also were such powerful border
par9ns as Henry Hastings Sibley, Joseph
Lean, Hugh Tyler, Martin Mcleod. Ma
tnan Myr1ck, 81; l.. Dousman, William
z, LIE Due, WillianE H Forbes, Henry
Jackson Richard Chute, Louis Robert,
alexander FarIbault and others who as
Traders. interested or as Onlookers, gave
importance to the scene. The pioneer,
eoltor OF Minnesota. James M. Goodhue,
and the missionaries. Rev. S. r. Riggs
and Rev. T. s. Williamson. were present.
french and Scotch voyagers were also
Inere, whose picturesque costumes en-
fore in the history of America was there
SUCH grand assemblage to consummate
an Indian treaty. nfff =
By the terms Of the treaty the Sioux
nation ceded all of Minnesota west Of the
mississippi river and az portion of South
dakota and Iowa: In this tract were
more than IS ,000, 600 acres lying within
the. present borders of Minnesota. 8. No
other single treaty made by the govern
ment 6of the United States with Indians
ever before secured so large and sou vaI4s
liable a body of land yEl1 s si5s1
9Ihe society is in possession of accurate
sketehesa of this great meeting, including
individual likeness of many OF the nota1
pleS present. Frank Blackwell .Mayers al
member of the party. preserved the oc-
caslon on canvas land several of his
sketches are now in possession of the
society.
The Historical society also has. In view
the securing from the legislature of an an
preparation for the erection of a monil-
made. - -