The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1907-07-04

ldO Vic Soiiy o~SN'>'S -
Miller and Hand county and the once
ferocious Sioux Indians joined to-
gether in celebrating the Nations S
birth day will be marvel in the
years to come and will seem strange
even now to many younger people,
or to new comers.
But such is a historical fact, as
demonstrated by the picture here
with published, taken from a photo
of 1884. The scene is an Indian
dance on Main street in front of the
PRESS office near the Vanderbilt
hotel. Th2 Indian bucks are in full
, war tog, painted, and almost nude.
They dance in a circle, with drums
or tom-toms beating in the center.
The squaws dance in circle of their
own, also to drums, singing a
weird chant.
These Indians are Brule Sioux,
from the Ft. Thompson reservation.
Miller invited 40 of them to help
her celebrate the 4th of 1884, but as
i, our first American has no delicate
scruples about invitations there were
just 342 of them on hand.
y They created a scare-at first,
among the timid. But the people
soon got used to them. They stalk
ed about town in grim silence trying
y to see everything there was to see,
the squaws picking up every thing
that had the appearance of being
thrown away. There was no steal
ing, however. Their simple minds
had not then grasped this trait of
other races. "
These Indians were under Chief
White Ghost, tall, dignified war
rior who wore the clothes of white
man, and plug hat, on his head.
They had an interpreter with them
and several Indian police. They were
well behaved; seemed to enjoy the
celebration, and remained about
town several days, buying and pay.
ing for any thing they fancied in the
stores.
The Indians attracted a great
crowd of white people, perhaps the
largest crowd that has ever attend
y ed 18th celebration at one point in
Pand county. They were again in
ted in 1886, and 800 of them
warmed into town, but some how it
was not the same. They were then
an old story, while the first visit had
been full of romantic interest and
mystery surrounding a strange race
of people.
Aimee then it has been a common
thing for other towns to have the
indians in fact the natives are eager
TO gds to the white mans celebra-
tionsI. but Miller has never invited
them since probably because our
people got too much of a good thing
in tEoSe edrly years.
history of Early Day Celebrations
From Press Flies
1882 The day was duly observed
in Miller, people coming from all
parts Of the county to assist in the
exercises, consisting of reading the
Declaration of independence, speak
ing by Prof. Somers and Mr. Foster.
A large crowd was in town and all
appeared to be more or less happy.
In the evening social dance at
the new hotel (Vanderbilt) was en-
joyed by some 70 couples. Ice cream
cake and lemonade were served in
abundance.
In other sections of the county
where smaller settlements have
sprung up picnic parties were also
enjoyed.
Thus closed the first celebration of
the 4th in Hand county. We hope
by another return of the day we
shall be prepared to hold the the
grandest celebration in Dakota"
Fourth of 1883
Shortly after sunrise people COM
menced arriving from the country,
although many from remote parts of
the cGHnty had arrived the evening
! the rateWhen the 10 A. M. passeng-
A end Of the
great amoua