Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1906-07-19
REMAINING The SIOUX.
SOME TWENTY-FIVE THOUSA Nd
INDIINS ARE RECGfTING
CHRISTI4N NAMES,
Educated Indian Tribe smen Selected
by tbs Great Father" to Re
christen Braves -Bob-taiied Coyote
Rccomc, Robert i. Molf

christen Braves Bob allied Coyot
Becomes Robert 7. Wolf.
Uncle Sam has recently inaugurate,
a unique and ingenious project In con
ncction with his Indian wards-o
at least the most populous division
OF them. This is nothing less than 0
scheme Yor remaining every chief ant
brave. every squaw and papoose OF
the Sioux tribe. The object OF this
wholesale rechristening Ii TO insure the
right descent OF property, something
| that has been attended with much
difficulty under the old condition OF
affairs when the Sioux had no family
name, and each redskin could be
identified only by his own individual
fanciful name. n cognomen which most
likely had not the slightest resemb-
lance TO those OF any OF his relatives.
The remaining OF the $4,000 mem
bers Of the Sioux Indian tribe was or
dercd by President Roosevelt on the
advice OF Hamlln Garland and George
Bird Grinnell. well known authors,
and other persons who have made
study OF the needs OF the Indians.
To decide upon the naming was
however an easy matter In comparison
TO the actual carrying out of the
strange undertaking.
SUSPICIOUS OF THE INDIANS.
The President and his advisors real
lied from the outset that II would be
one thing 10 give the Indians new
names and quite another to induce the
sons and daughters OF the forest
ever suspicious of the white men-to
accept and use these new names.
However. the Great Father al Washing
tor was fortunate enough TO enlist the
cooperation Of DIR. Charles Alexander
Eastman. n highly educated physician
and clergyman, who Is full-blooded
Sioux. and who came into national
prominence some time since when he
ELAINE Goodale, the talented
young New England poetess. At the
Presidents solicitation DR.. Eastman,
who IL considered the best educated
Indian In the world, agreed TO person
ally undertake the task OF inducing his
people TO adopt the system OF family
names desired by the government
Just what this responsibility meant
Will be better understood when IL is
explained that not only was DR.. East
man 10 visit all the Indian villages of
the Sioux tribe and personally bestow
names hut he must also devise or in
vent the new names. Just imagine |
selecting given names for $4,000 per-
sons OF both sexes and apportioning
perhaps half as many or one third as
many different family names In ad-
dltion.
In this portion OF his novel mission
airy work for Uncle sam the Name
Giver. as the Sioux now term their
educated tribesman, has displayed rare
Judgment and a fine regard for family
history and tradition among the Sioux
"A thoughtfulness that has done
much TO win the good will OF these
intelligent but conservative Indians
for the new project. Whenever pos
sible he has pcrpetuated an Indians
OLD name In his new one For instance
High Eagle becomes Mr.. Higheagle.
Bob-tailed Coyote was changed TO
Robert +. Wolf. and Rotten Pumpkin
has been transformed into Robert
Pumpian
Or. Eastman has been making
round OF all the Sioux reservations
which are located for the most part
Ia the Dakotas and elsewhere In the
Northwest. When he arrives nj n
branch agency, or tribal headquarters.
for the purpose OF notwithstanding the
inhabitants his first move Is To have
conference with the chief men or
counselors of the place. They, In turn,