The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-22
Horse Chief Inaugurated as Ruler
of the Ponca Indians in Oklahoma
The Last Time There Was
Any Fear of an Upris-
ing of the Poncas Was
in 1881 IS ONE Of tn e
Peculiar Customs of the
Tribe II II ~ u II, II

granted permission TO go up into Kansas
TO visit Indians in that State. and he over
stayed his time. He was brought back TO
the agency in irons, by the deputy United
States marshals. This was a deep dis
grace, and Big Snake sought to stir UP his
fellows against the whites. He was called
before the Indian agent and told that he
must stop. He refused to promise to be
good. and declared that If he was punished
the whole tribe would rise against the
whites and not one should escape. Stand
ing at his full height, he defied the mar
shals 10 shoot. There was a shot and
Big Snake fell TO the floor with a bullet
hole squarely between his eyes The tribe
became restless. and trouble was feared.
The Ninth Cavalry was stationed in the
porthern part of the territory at the time,
and was hurried TO the agency. The In
dians. however, made outbreak and
the incident was peaceably settled. 1t
was largely through the efforts of Chief
White Eagle that serious trouble was
averted His desire is that his son should
adopt his policy in dealing with the white
people.
Horse Chief assumed his place at the
sun dance but following out the old Gus
tom. was not inaugurated at that time In
the days of old the new chief chose from
among the men of his tribe a council con-
sistng of ten members. 1t was the custom
for the tribes young men to separate into
bands and go hunting for buffaloes. The
members of the band bringing the most
meat into camp were installed as the chief
head men or councillors.
This is an honor not to be despised, be-
cause with no people on earth are the
quality lines drawn closer than with the
American Indian. The councilman is but
little lower IN authority than the chief.
He sits with his chief in all the councils
where tribal affairs are under considera-
ton and in all gatherings of the tribe he is
allotted to place apart from the common
tribesmen. While many of the younger
men of the Ponca tribe have discarded the
blanket and taken to a more civilized ap-
parel, they one and all stick close to the
old traditions and customs.
Thirty-five years ago when White Eagle
took his place at the head of the tribe, he
selected his council In the manner stated.
MANY of the Older members of the tribe
remember that ceremony and when the
new chief was chosen there arose prob
lem as to how he should select his council
The Indians took their troubles to the
Miller brothers, who are the largest ranch
owners In northern Oklahoma. and who
lease a large part of their land from the
Poncas 10 form the famous 101 ranch. The
Miller brothers have been friendly to the
Indians for many. years, and the Poncas
almost consider them members of the tribe.
j. c. Miller actually holds the position of
second chief and is present at all of the
councils. When the Indians explained 10
the Mllers that the tribe would soon be
out of existence and asked them to ar
range a proper celebration of the installa-
ton Of Horse Chief, the request was
promptly granted.
The Millers decided that the Indians