The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1907-07-26
BRANDING At ROSEBUD.
1871 CATTLE BEING DELIVERED
BY NAPIER.
PORTION OF ROSEBUD TREATY

wrapper OF NOTIOik 10 JUST Beng
Fulfilled at the Rosebud Indian
Agency.
Branding of the 1,471 cattle which
are being delivered to the United
states government at the Rosebud
agency in South Dakota, for distribut-
ion amoung the redskins, by s. T.
Napier of Norfolk, began at the agen-
cy at 8 o'clock yesterday morning and
will be finished tomorrow. The cattle
were shipped to Crookston, Neb., by
Mr. Napier and driven from that point
to the agency, which is about thirty
miles north.
Part Of Gregory County Treaty.
The distribution of these cattle by
the government to the Rosebud Sioux
Indians Is part Of the treaty agree
ment made between the Indians and
the government when the Gregory por-
ton Of the Rosebud reservation was
coded to the government for settle
ment.
The government agreed to pay the
Indians certain amount in cash and
besides that to issue one heifer to
every man, woman and child of the
tribe. There are 5000 Indians on the
reservation and to each the govern
ment gives a fine young "critter."
This distribution began last year and
is being continued this summer. Last
year S. T. Napier of this city secured
the contract and later D. Rees became
associated with him in the contract,
which amounted to $114,000. This
year the contract is up around the
100000 mark and Mr. Napier is hand
ling it alone.
Shipping Cattle From Texas.
All of the heifers came from Texas
plains and they are as handsome a
bunch of live stock as were ever
brough into the northwest. The heif.
ers must be, by terms of the contract,
between three and five years old and
must pass inspection.
The animals were shipped from
Texas to Crookston in thirty-nine cars.
From Crookston the herd was driven
across the country to the Rosebud
agency for the branding process. En-.
route the storm of Saturday night
was encountered and by one bolt of
lightning three of the heifers were
struk dead while pony being ridden
by one of the COW boys was dropped
to its knees by the shock. Others OF
the herd were stunned by the bolt
last years herd were lost by light
ming in the same spot while being
driven to the agency.
If the three dead animals had been
ming, they would have been picked up
and eaten by the Indians but there is
an Indian superstition against eating
anything killed by lightning. Dead
animals which have succumbed to
tuberculosis are picked off the prairies
and enjoyed by the redskins as
relish. And more than that, they are
not fussy about the portions that they
eat
The Brand That Is Burned In.
Three brands are placed on each of
these heifers issued to the Indians.
In the first place the letters 81. T."
are burned into the sides of the heif-
ers. This means interior Depart
ment." Next comes the figure indicat-
ing the district to which the Indian
to whom the animal is being issued,
belongs. And last comes the number
of the Indian. These brands remain
in the cattle flesh forever and prevent
theft or doing away with the stock.
Once given these heifers, the Ind
ians have no right to either sell them
or to kill them. This is prohibited by
the government in order to protect the
Indians against themselves. Other
wise they would sell the stock for
little or nothing, or they would eat
1t Immediately at big feast, to which
all of their neighbors would be invited.
Every so often a quantity of beef
is issued to the Indians who can not
work, so that they are provided for,
These heifers issued to them are sup
posed to be turned out on the range
so that the increase will add to the
property of the tribal members. Each
spring the stock is rounded up and
the calves are branded.
Get Around The Law.
But in some few cases the Indians
are cunning enough to get around the
law and enjoy their heifers at feasts.
For instance one man who was wolf
ing on the Rosebud last year catching
grey wolves for ranchman, found
dead heifer on the prairie. He noted
that just between its eyes was a small
bullet hole. For three or four days
the animals carcass remained on the
ground and then 1t disappeared. The
The Indian who had shot it had al
allowed it to lie on the ground for some
time so that in case he was brought
up on the carpet for the loss of his
animal he could point out that 1t
"died"-and of course even n govern