Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1910-07-28
OLD CROW DOG NOW
BREAKS AWAY FROM
THE RESERVATION
Renews Ancient Claim That
Black Hills Is Property of
the Red Man.

Deadwood, S. D., July 2S.-Braving
The penalties of infringing the govern
nent restrictions that require Indian
charges to remain on their reservations
Unless given an official permit, Crow
Dog, one of the old line Sioux chiefs,
came to DeadwoOd for a brief visit
with his old-t time friend, Judge A. J..
Plowman. When he found his mission
was fruitless he hurried back to the
reservation and will try to forget that
indian chiefs are no longer accorded
he Difference that they received two
generations ago.
The ambition of Crow Dog to quit
the reservation and live in the Black
Hills is based on an old theory that
was long ago discarded by the govern
ment. When the white men came to
the Black Hills in 1875, they found the
Sioux Indians in possession. and it was
not until the treaty of 1876 that the
white man was freely privileged to
make the Hills his home. 1t is over
this treaty that the Indians find eXcep-
tons TO the governments ruling.
Revive Old Claim.
According to the treaty of 1876 with
the indians, all future contracts and
treaties must be signed by Indians af-
feCted. The Sioux contend that the
treaty Of 1876 was not so signed, al
though L had many individual signers,
representing all the tribes and nations
affected, and for this reason they al
,ege Tat the Black Hills is still techni-
cally part of their possessions. For
J.. 60, = -
opinion until it has become TO hir n
his childishness, something of Mia.
Killed Spotted Tail.
Back in 1888, during some political
dissension among the tribal Indians on
the Rosebud reservation, Crow Dog
shot and killed Spotted Tail chief of
the Sioux nations. He was tried and
sentenced to death. Then Judge Plow-
man took hold. Crow Dog was con-
fined in the Deadwood jail and had in
that way made the acquaintance Of the
attorney. He had no money and few
friends and his case seemed hopeless,
but Judge Plowman went to work to
clear him. He rounded up what evil
dence he could secure, made numerous
trips to the Indian country, endured
privations and hardships, for once he
had set his hand TO the task he never
gave up. and after several weary
EHoANAs vi pLouu4hs' he Aau WOTheu up
a case, and had secured funds by SELL
ing Indian ponies belonging to Crow
Dog and his friends.
His Defense Failed.
The case went against him in the To-
al and state courts and then he car
ried it to the United States supreme
kOurt. Here more obstacles and work
beset his path, but he persevered. After
an 11,00O-mile trip in search of evil
1ence around the west, winding up at
Washington, D. c.. two days before the
Crow Dog had escaped from the Dead
wood Jail. Under the supreme court
-uling, it would be impossible to argue
The case OF prisoner not then in Gus
sody. He knew his Indian client had
gone home to the reservation to bid
his family goodby and that he would
return to Jail, but he must be there in
time for the hearing. After many mes
sages, Judge Plowman was able to
show one TO the jurists telling him that
Crow Dog was again behind the bars.
He had gone with stolid resolution to
Rosebud, kissed his wife Pretty Camp
farewell, and was on his way back to
Deadwood, when found by the marshal.
Embraced Judge PIowman.
A few days before this trip, Crow
Dog had seen the hanging in Deadwood
oI James Layton, known as Gilmore,
and the latter, before his death, had
told the Indian that he would soon
die similar death. The sensitive ma
ture OF the red man had accepted the
suggestion and he had decided to see
his family once before the end.
But at the hearing before the United
States supreme court, Judge Plowman
was successful and soon returned to
Deadwood with Crow Dogs release.
The old Indian fell upon his neck and
Kissed him.