Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-30
Fatal Result Of a Practical Joke.

Mr.. johnson Sides. until his recent death,
was chief of the Pluto Indians in Nevada.
He was a man Of considerable natural abii-
ity and practical common sense. He looked
after the interest of his tribe with zeal and
vigilance. both collectively and individually.
and he did everything in his power to pro-
mote their welfare. Twice year he made
a journey to Washington to consult the OFF,
Gals of the Indian bureau. all OF whom had
great respect for and confidence In him. His
sagacity was sufficient to detect any trick
cry on the part of the agents or dishonesty
among the contractors. His great hobby
was temperance. He realized that the de-
cay of his race and most Of their troubles
were due to strong drink, and he not only
preached total abstinence but practiced 1t,
and set a good example to his people.
Whenever he caught an Indian or a white
man selling whisky on the Pluto reserva-
ton he made short work OF him. He did
not require judge or jury, or even q prose-
cutting attorney. to encompass such a case.
johnson Sides had no more hesitation in
shooting a whisky peddler than he had for
a coyote or rattlesnake. He considered 1t
q matter of sacred duty.
A short time before his death, while he
was making a visit to the capital OF Nevada.
Sides fell into q trap set for him by certain
practical jokers Of that town, and uncon-
scfousiy fell from grace. The 1okers got him
drunk in some way that has never been
fully explained. and placed him where for
several hours he was an object of public de-
rision. 1t was a cruel, wicked conspiracy,
and 1t killed the Pluto chief. He never re-
covered from the modification OF that day.
He published several explanations In the
newspap ers: he wrote a letter to President
Roosevelt and several to the Secretary OF
the Interior and the commissioner Of In
dian Affairs: he made q solemn address to
the members OF his tribe. and explained to
them that he had no intention or desire to
drink whisky, that he was not aware that
It was whisky he was drinking. and that
he had been deceived By men who pretend
ed to be his friends.
The old man took 1t so much to heart that
one of the lawyers Of Carson City wrote .
testimonial In eloquent language to his high
character and the confidence which every
neither had been impaired by an unfortu-
nate incident for which he was In no way
to blame. This document was signed by
everybody of Importance in town. but. while
1t gave Sides great satisfaction, II could
not restore his lost dignity and self-respect
Then. as a final vindication. Senator Doolin
introduced the following resolution In the
Nevada legislature:
Resolved. by the senate and assembly
of Nevada, the entire people OF the state
concurring. that the whisky unconsciously
taken by johnson Sides on the 18th day OF
clared null and void"
The resolution was unanimously adopted
by both houses and signed by the governor
The secretary of state furnished Sides q
certified copy, handsomely engraved on
parchment and he carried IT back to the
in his cabin. But the wound was mortal
He died a few months later and the doc
tor says there was nothing the matter with
him but q broken heart.