Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1908-07-17

tribe by his bravery in combat and his
Hole in the Day was killed in the
spring of 1847, while crossing Flat river
in Red river cart.
Young Hole-in-the- Day, then known
as "The Boy"-he was about 10 years
of age-was not slow in assuming the
position his father had held. BY his
bravery in war he soon gained all and
more than his fathers influence over
the tribe, and sustained all his preten-
sions to leadership. The following in
cidents are interesting as showing the
first steps in life of this young Indian
Chief:
In 1847 young Hole in the.D Day, who
was then living in an Indian village
near Watab, above Sank Rapids, in
company with one Of our prominent
old settlers, came down to Pigs Eye
to get a medal belonging to his de-
ceased father. On their way down
they met man who had been sent up
by the Sioux agent to notify the Chip
pewas that they must not come down,
as the Sioux were highly excited in
consequence of one of their chiefs hav-
ing just been murdered by Chippe-
wa. Hole-in- the-Day was told that he
had better turn back. He replied that
he would not go to Fort Smelling,
where the Sioux were, but would come
down and stay at the house of a half
breed friend and 60 back in the morn
ing. His friend went to Mendoza and
stayed over night, and next morning
went to the fort, where, to his sur
prise, he found Hole-ln- the Day walk
ing alone in front of the main en-
trance. He asked him why he was
there, and told him his life was in
great danger. He replied: "NIy
father walked here, and l like to walk
where he did,.
The Sioux chiefs held a council at
the agency just outside the fort to see
what was to be done in consequence Of
the murder. Most Of the officers at
tended and Hole in the-Day insisted
on being present to hear what was
said. Soon alter this he came down
alone, crossed to Little Crows vii.
lage (Kapos1a), shot Sioux Indian
and escaped in broad daylight.
His first appearance in public council
was at Fond du Lac, Wis, IN July,
1847. Prior to his coming the old
chiefs said that they had allowed
Holei in the Days father to take part
in the councils but that the son was
a mere boy and would have nothing to
say even if he were present. There
fore it was useless to wait for him.
The commissioners, Hon. H. NJ. Rice
and Isaac Verplanck, thought differ
entity and waited. After the young
chiefs arrival the council was formal
]y opened. Hole in the-Day made the
following speech:
Fathers-The country our great
father sent you to purchase belongs to
me- 1t was once my fathers. He
took 1t form the Sioux. He, by his
bravery, made himself the head chief
of the Chippewas nation. l am
greater man than my father was for
| am as brave as he was, and on my
mothers side am the hereditary head
chief Of the nation. The land you want
belongs to me. 1t say sell, our great
father will have it. If I say not sell, |
he will do without it. These Indians
that you see behind me have nothing
to say about it. To this speech all the !
red men present gave audible assent. |
The change in the face Of things at !!
the appearance Of Hole in the Day |
showed his bravery and commanding
influence The terms Of the treaty
were. concluded between the com
and this boy chief alone by
which millions of acres of land was
ceded
: He was about 40 years old at the
time of his death. The remains were
inferred in the Catholic cemetery att
Grow Wing, with the stars and stripes
floating over his grave.