The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1905-10-18
WEDNESDAY. OCT. 1S, 1905.
YAKIMA INDIANS ARE MAD
WITH NORTH YAKIMA
Lancaster Spencer Says the Indians
will Give Their Trade to Top.
cnisll in the Future.


was held or at least was supposed to
have been held big Indian conven-
ton. 1t was primarily intended to be
one of the largest gatherings of the
aborigines ever assembled in any
part of the country during the last
decade. Great chiefs from all over
the northwest were expected to be
present at this gathering, and to lend
their historical fascination in war
song and war story. 1t was further
intended that the Indians should give
an exhibition of their warning days,
dance the great sun dance, the war
dance, and in fact. indulge in all the
customs of the wigwam days when
they alone were owners and rulers
of this country. They were also to
have the use of the race track, and
had intended to do great deal of
horse racing.
Lancaster Spencer. an educated In
dian who lives near TOppenish, was
the manager of the big enterprise.
He is very sore at North Yakima on
account of the Misrepresentation
taccording to his statements) of some
of the citizens here. This Is what
Mr.. Spencer says in relation to the
matter: -
1--WE were supposed to give big
Indian convention mere at the fair
grounds, but we were also supposed
to have aid from the Yakima people.
Now. your DR.. Hill told me that there
would be $1,000 in cash, ready for
the Indians. to be given out in prizes,
and principally on horse races. He
also said that he wanted the Indians
to give a big barbecue, and show the
white people just how the Indians
used to do on big feast days in the
Olden time. He said that he would
give us two beeves, 1000 lOaves of
bread and two wagOnloads of water
melons. In the first place we never
did see any of that $1,000 for the
horse races. ] think the most we got
was $3.50, and | spent that for hay
to feed the Indians horses. In the
second place we never did see any
beef. bread or watermelons, except
what the Indians bought themselves.
When | was talking to DR.. Hill about
this matter | asked him where the
money was coming from, and he said
to me, don't you worry about the
money: | will get that for you al
right, II You get the Indians" Well,
] knew that DR.. Hill was member
of the state fair board. and thought
his word was good. The convention
was advertised among the Indians,
and by the first of the week there
were great many present from all
over. Many more had intended to
come, including some famous chiefs,
but it was rumored around that there
was no money in the treasury for any
of the games and horse races. Some
of the Indians then began to leave
and others who had intended to come
changed their minds when they
heard about the conditions.
Now, the Indians have been fooled
by the North Yakima people, and we
are all mad; and after this most of
the Indian trade will be given to Top
penish. l. myself, am going to build
big race track at Toppenish, and
hold big time there every fall, and
take the Indians away from this
town. We will make Toppenish the
place, and some day it will be larger
than North Yakima. Then, the peo-
pie of North Yakima didn't treat the
Indians right by closing the town on
Sundays. We expected to buy our
groceries here. and spend our money
here during hoppicking. But Sun
days you couldn't even buy a loaf
of bread. Now, we don't like that,
and we will spend our money at Top
penish in the future, because of this
treatment"