Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-19
I. Red Cloud

nay first meeting with the Chief in 1876
IV( when encamped with the United States
Commissioners then negotiating with the
Indians of his tribe for cession of the Black Hills
gold bearing territory Red Cloud was in opposi-
ton, and l well remember his high stern face and
angry stride he from irritating session
in the endessly debating council.
He certainly looked the part to which the ''yel
low" romances of wild Life in the West - have
assigned him. except that there in his face
any of that brutal savagery 50 long and popularity
credited to him. Even in his angry moods there
was something fine and dignihed in his bearing
No one to-day can look at correct cut of his face
at least no with discerning powers, without
recognizing man of dignity and character.
In that picturesque village of some four or five
thousand wild Sioux his was easily the first figure
and the foremost to capture my boyish imagination.
1 did not then, of course, have the opportunity
for intimate. acquaintance which to in
maturer years. l was lad yet in my teens, but
on one occasion l remember sitting for long time
within the intimate circle of Red Clouds tepee.
To this advantage was indebted to " Old Missouri,
Our guide in recent excursion into the Black Hills,
from which party of us had been ousted by troops
under Captain Benteen and upon complaint of the
Chief Spotted Tail 1t was my fortune to capture
"Old Missouri's" fancy. He was squaw man"
with large family of haf-breeds, and at his shack
l was frequent visitor. One evening Red Cloud
"Old Missouri" spoke the Sioux language like
a native and trusted by the Indians, and soon
discovered when were ushered into Red Clouds
tepee that he had brought there for purpose.
He knew that | was connected with country news
paper and was taking notes and keeping diary
of my Western experience, and when, as / fanced
upon entering the lodge, Red Cloud looked at me
with an inquiring frown, Old Missouri" said
few words in the Sioux. Immediately Red Cloud
responded with earnest " HaH-han! which is
the Sioux exclamation of emphatic assent.
I'm going to tell you now what the Chief says,
said "Old Missouri" to me- and l want you to
remember it and write it down in them books of
yourn. These government reporters amt putting
things down straight at ALL and it may be you
have something printed that will show Red Clouds
idees about selling their land
This was flattering Though failed to see of what
avail to the Indian my report in country
paper would be, l was glad of the opportunity
offered to my youthful pen There followed long
and to interesting talk, in which Red Cloud told
of the days proceedings in council and of what he
had said in debate. All this duly interpreted
for my benefit. -
l have to-day the sheets upon which "Od Mis-
sours" translation of Red Clouds talk was written
They might be of interest to the reader-undoubted
ly would-but there is not room to include them in
this article In fact, there was much repetition of
the familiar plea of the Indian against further
taking of territory by the white people. There
also repetition and Interpretation of the speeches
of Red Cloud and American Horse which had been
made that day in council. Both of these speeches,
translated back into Sioux, l have since delivered
at several Indian Entertainments"
My deepest impression of that evening" however,
was family gathering of the wild folk, the first
in which had had sitting, and there was matter