The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1907-09-13
SISSETON

standard. Sept.6
On Wednesday of this week began
to assemble at Long Hollow church,
eight miles northwest of Thu city, the
largest religious gathering of the
Sioux Indians ever seen in this vi
cinity. From the west side of the city
may be seen the the white tepees and
tents dottiog the green of the Decotean
hills like the tents of an army encamp-
ment, These tepees or tents are the
temporary homes of the different
branches of the Sioux and Dakota ma
ton of Indians. The three main d.
visions of the Sioux are the Santee
this branch includes the Sissetons
and Wahpetons) the Yanktons, of
Southern South Dakota and Nebraska
and the Teton Sioux. The last named
division comprise the Ogallala, the
Sicangu and the Wiciyela. All the
above named tribes r. represented
in the present assembly at Long Hol.
low. The encampment comprises
about 200 tepees which provide &C.
comodation for from 800 to 1000 Sioux
and without doubt the. Sunday services
will find a much larger gathering.
The encampment is arranged accord
ing TO the ancient usages of the Sioux,
in circular form: each tribal family in
its seperate place in the circle, the
central place of honor, of old the 10.
cation of the council tents, now being
given to the missionaries and assem-
bly, tents. A large tent, with suitable
platform and seating facilities, has
been erected near the church, and even
this is too small to accOmOd ate the
audiences. A mess house he's been
built for the accomod alton of the Wis.
ting missionaries and the culinary
department is looked after by Good
Will Mission workers, under the
supervision of Rev. David E. Evans.
Among those present at the convoca-
ton are q number of prominent and
able Sioux ministers from this and
other states as we'll as a number OF
white missionaries who have devoted
their lives to the work.
Missionary work among the Sioux
frss began at Lake Harriet and Cal.
haun, Mimi, seventy-twO years ago
by the two veteran missionaries, DR..
Stephen Riggs and DR.. Thomas
Williamson. This work was continu.
ed in the vicinity of these lakes and
spread over greater territory, there
being no interruption until the New
Ulm outbreak in 1862. Both these
pioneers in the missionary work rear
ed their families in the missionary
field and their children gather today
the most homo. ed aid faithful guides
. OF the Dakota Christian. DR.. Johr
p. Williamson, who Is in attendance
at the Long Hollow co%nvocation,
! stands at the head OF all the Dakots
missions as bishop, or general super
%intendent. Among other prominent
men present are Rev. Alfred L,
Santee training school at Santee,
!. Rigg, Oahe, South Dakota, the pho
reer missionary Of the Teton Sioux, il
now the general superintendent of the
Cheyenne River field and has charge
! of nine out stations and seven organ
!. lied churches. Both these gentlem-r
are sons of DR.. Stephen Riggs. Mrs
Riggs is superintendent of the Oaht
> industrial school, which is doing
faithful work among the Sioux in thu
vicinity of Pierre. Addresses were
given on ''The Years Progress;'
Scientific. by Rev. DR.. A. L Riggs
Political, by Rev. G w. Reed anl
Religious by Rev. D. E. Evans.
DR.. Theodore Riggs, q son of DR.
: Thomas Riggs gave an address n thu
J Sioux language, OIL the subject o
Tuberculosis" The address cover
8 ed many points in the treatment AM
Q the avoidance of this dread foe OF tn
red man. Fresh air and active out o
door life were especially recommend
t ed. Questions were asked and an
swered on this topic. nr. Riggs vii
continue his research in EurOpe ia tn
: : ensuing year.
: Rev. and Mrs. G.. w. Reed, TO
!. nineteen years missionaries at Stand
: ing Rock, North Dakota, are present
as is DR.. r. N. Adams of St. Paul
4 field superintendent for North an
South Dakota, Minnesota. and Net
raska.
n The topics: care the Dakotas tn
h Worse of From Contact with th
White Racer" was ably discussed b
various Sioux ministers, with & dil
q position to give the white man du
credit for oil the civilizing influene
with which he has surrounded Ii
Sioux.
Other topics of equal interest wi
opened for free discussion, the pra,
tical political, social. and above al
religious problems of the day, takin
the place of the ancient councils
war.
Separate meetings for the youu
men, the women's societies (whic
have accomplished remarkable r.
suits and the Christian Endeavt
societies are . part of the program
Among the native preachers of abil
kv whO ara nrosont aro por EdwI