Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1905-08-10
OFFICIAL INFLUENCE

UffIllAl lNFLuENeE
A correspondent living on Chey-
cnne River Reservation, furnishes
us with tho following communica-
ton,
III have lust returned from a
trip over the Reservation, and as
the people have recently returned
from the several places where
they went to celebrate the Fourth
of July, ! was able to learn the
result.
"Some of the Cherry Greek In
dams went to the Black Hills and
some to Pine Ridge. Those who
went to the Hills, in addition to
dances, painting their faces and
other Indian customs, INDUCED in
drunkenness.
"Many OF the Indians from Viz
gin creek and Missouri river went
to Lower Brulo Agency to cele-
brate, which they did in the old
barbarous way. They painted
and danced and in the "otuhanpi'
gave away many ponies and other
things. On their way to and
from Lower Brule, in passing thru
Pierre, many purchased intoxi-
cants and some became beastly
drunk, and in one case some Indi-
an-drunk, of course-exposed the
nakedness of an Indian woman
(not his wifc).
''The Indians at On Tree camp
(St. Thomas) were led to Rock
creek, on the Standing Rock Re
serve, for the Fourth by one of the
policemen of the camp. just be-
fore they started. when the Indi-
ans were assembled together, he
publicly stated that in conference
with the Agent with reference to
the Indian way of celebrating the
Fourth, the Agent told him that
no one could prevent them cele-
brating the day as they wished, so
they could 90 ahead and do as they
pleased. He stated further that
he had reported this interview
with the Agent to the Farmer.
when he replied: eyes, that is
right: go ahead and have a good
time" l understand the Agent
and Farmer now deny this.) How
ever, the Indians went to Rock
creek and had the good time dane
ing and giving away ponies. While
there they did some things not al
lowed on the Standing Rock Re-
serve and hence one of the police
men from that Reserve stopped
them, when the one from this Re-
serve said, "No, you need not stop;
our Agent has told me you can do
this, and no one can prevent YOU"
So the Indians went on with their
fun.
"The Indians who have not en-
gagged in these old customs are
very sad and lament at the condi-
ton of the people on their return.
Thru the "otuhanpi" they are
greatly impoverished, and the
opinion is that the Indians will
either be unable or c~arelessly un-
willing to put up hay for what few
horses they may have left. | un-
derstand that already preparations
are being made in certain quarters
|for more dancing, ETC.; in the fall.
"If the authorities had combined
together and agreed to encourage
and lead the Indians back to heath
enism and barbarous conditions.
matters could hardly be worse.
Zone thing is sure, the Indians
could not leave the Reservation
without a pass, and hence the local
authorities are in q sense aiding
the Indians in this downward and
injurious way.
"This is more surprising from
the fact that since the year 1901 at
least there has been in the Office
OF each Sioux Agency a letter from
the Indian Office prohibiting these
Fourth of July celebrations, and
ordering the Agents to gather the
Indians together and have them
celebrate in a decent way, and in
structing in the proper way to
celebrate the Fourth. Alas! this
is not done.
again, when the Christian
churches in the fall call the Indi-
ans together to confer in reference
!, to progress and things which make
for progress, cold water is thrown
upon the idea, and every argument
possible is adduced to thwart the
plans made for the uplifting of
the people.
SIS all this because President
RoOcnvolf 10 On ckron,,O,,c1r or~o~