The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1909-09-09

years and the date was then at hand when
they must 90. Ii plain to those present
who familiar with the Indian charac.
ter that there was great dissatisfaction
among them, and spirit OF rebellion grow
ing, which, II not soon suppressed would
probably lead TO serious results. The leader
and principal spokesman for the Indians
vas Menominee lie had refused 10 sign the
treaty and persistently declined to release
TO the government his interest in the reser-
walton. When Col Pepper had made his
final appeal, and all had had theii say, Me
nominee arose to his feet. and, drawing his
costly blanket around him, through in
terpreter he addressed the Council as fol-
lows:
Members Of the Councl-The President
does not know the Truth. He like me. has
been imposed upon He does not know that
you made my young chiefs drunk AMI got
their consent and pretended to get min He
does -ot know that | have refused I sell
my lands and still refuse lie would 'sti by
force drive me from my home. the, raves
gone to the Great Spirit. allow to
tell me your braves Will take me tied like
a dog it he knew the trnth My Brother
the President. is just, but he listens to the
word OF young chiefs who have lied; and
when he knows the truth he will leave me
to my own. | have not sold my lands;
Will not sell them.l have not signed any
treaty, and will not sign any: l not go
ing to leave my lands. and 1 don't want
to fear anything more about it
Describing the scene one who was present
sat down. Spoken in the peculiar style of
| the Indian orator-although repeated by an
| interpreter-with eloquence of which
Logan would have been proud his presence
the personihcation OF dignity. presented
one of those occasions of which history
gives but few instances, and on the man oil
true appreciation, would have made most
profound impression"
Considerable time spent in trying to
| pursuade Menominee and his following to
accept the inevitable and remove peaceably
m he led for tf
| they did not, the Government would be
| compelled TO remove them by force. With
out accomplishing anything. however, the
/ council adjourned. Menominee was wise
ard experienced chief and he knew that the
| inal consumation at hand. Me-
nominees speech and the occurrences that
COX place during the session of the coun-
| ell. fired the hearts of his followers with a
| determination resist the government ofti-
ctrs IN their evident intention TO remove
| 'hem, reaceably it they could, forcibly il
LEY must. The consequence was they be-
came almost frantic and uncomfortable
During the next two three weeks. sew
| eral white men who had souattcd on the
| -eseivaiicn expecting 20 enter the land as
| -con the Indians had gone away. urged
| III the disturbances. and in order to make
matters worse several OF the Indian Wig
set FIRE TO and destroyed, and
/ this resulted in retaliation on the part Of
TIE Indians. In this alarming condition OF
affairs a number of settlers early in August
i ls2s netitioned the Governor of Indiana for
J
/ be disastrous consequences On this sub
! ject IN his message to the Legislature of In
diana December 1, 1888, Governor David Wal
+ lace said:
by the conditions Of the late treaty with
I the Pottawattome tribe of Indians in Indi-
ana, the time stipulated for their departure
- the West OF the Mississippi expired on
? the 9Th of August last As this trying mo-
mcnt approached strong disposition was
manifested by many OF the most influential
amsng them to disregard the treaty entire
/ OF their fathers IT all hazards. In conse-
+ quence OF such determination on their
part. collision Of the most serious charac-
ter Excl. to between them and
/ the surrounding settlers. Apprehensive of
such result. and with a view To- prevent
il. some of the citizens of Marshall County
early in the month of August. forwarded
/ 10 the Executive a petition praying that an
errled force might be Immediately sent to
4 their protection. On receipt of this petition
i ] repaired as speedily as circumstances would
| permit 10 the scene OF difficulty in order
J 20 satisfy myself by a personal examination
| On my return TO lOgansport a formal re-
QUESTION awaited me from the Indian Agent
/ Col \. {. Pepper. for 100 armed volunteers
70 be placed under the command of some
competent citizen OF the State whose duty
II should be TO preserve the peace and to
arros. the growing spirit of hostility dis
/ played by the Indians. The requisition was
/ instantly granted | appointed the Hon
| John Upton to this command and gave him
! authority to raise the necessary rumber of
volunteers. lie promptly and patrotically &c.
cepted the appointment. and although sick
| less and disease prevailed to an alarming