Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1910-07-28
GROW DOG BREAKS LOOSE
Old Chief Renews Claim That
The Black Hills Belongs
TO His People.

the government reSIrlcJlOHs IHdLIequlIS
Indian charges to remain on the reseV-
ations unless given an official permit,
Crow Dog, one of the old line Sioux
chiefs, went to Deadwood for a visit
with his old-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 the
Difference they received two genera
tons ago.
For many months Crow Dog had been
nursing pet ambition to live again in
the Black Hills untrammeled by the
wise, but stern rules and regulations
with which the government surrounds
its red-skinned charges. The old war
rior cherished these hopes until he deter
mined that a personal visit to Judge
| Plowman, who twenty-seven years ago
saved Crow Dogs life from the hang
man moose, might be be productive OF
results. Judge Plowman listened to the
aged Indians plea, but was forced TO
| tell Crow Dog that he saw no relief and
that he had better return to the reserv-
alton.
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 government. 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 exceptions to the governments
ruling.
According to the treaty of 1866 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, altho
it had many individual signers repre-.
senting all the tribes and nations affect
ed, and for this reason they allege that
the Black Hills is still technically part
of their possessions. For some years
Crow Dog has fostered this opinion
until it has become to him in his child
ishness, something of mania.
Back in 1883, during some political
dissension among the tribal Indians on
the Rosebud reservation, Crow Dog
shot and killed Spotted Tail, chief of the
Sioux nation. He was tried and SEN
fenced to death. Then Judge Plowman
took hold. Crow Dog was confined 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 evidence 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 months of plodding, he
had worked up case, and had secured
funds by selling ponies belonging to
Crow Dog and his friends.
The case went against him in thelocal
and state courts and then he carried it
to the United States supreme court.
Here more obstacles and work beset his
path, but he perevered. After trip of
IL, 900 miles in search of evidence thru
the west, winding up at Washington,
d. c., two days before the hearing,
Judge Plowman learned that Crow Dog
had escaped from the Deadwood jail.
Under the supreme court ruling, it was
impossible to argue the case of pris-
oner not then in custody. He knew his
Indian client had gone home to the res
ervation to bid his family good bye and
that he would return to Jail, but he
must be there in time for the hearing
After many messages, Judge Plowmar
was able to show one to the jurists tell
ing him that Grow Dog was again be-
hind the bars. He had gone with stolic
resolution to Rosebud, kissed his wife
Pretty Camp farewell, and was on hi.
: way back to Deadwood when found b,
the marshal.
A few days before this trip Grow
Dog had seen the hanging in Deadwoot
T of James Layton, known as Gilmore
and the latter before his death had tolt
Y the Indian that he would soon die sim
! liar death. The sensitive nature of tn,
red man had accepted the suggestion
t and he had decided to see his famil,
q once before the end.
I'll But at the hearing before the Unitet
o States supreme court, Judge Plowmal
was successful and soon returned +
!. Deadwood with Crow Dogs release
" The old Indian fell upon his neck an
kissed him.
:. For Sale.