Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1910-08-05
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
he penalties of infringing the govern
nent restrictions that require Indian
| charges to remain on their reservations
| Inless given an official permit, Crow
Dog. one of the old line Sioux CHIEFS,
came to DeadWood for a brief visit
with his old time friend, Judge A. J.
PIowman. 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 that they received two
generations ago.
I 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 1t was
not until the treaty of 1876 that the
white man was freely privileged TO
make the Hills his home. 1t is over
his treaty tina the Indians find excep-
tons to the governments ruling.
Revive Old Claim.
According to the treaty of 1876 with
the Indians, all future contracts n
treaties must be signed by Indians af-
fected. The Sioux contend that the
treaty of 1876 was not so signed, al
though it had many individual signers,
representing all the tribes and nations
affected, and for this reason they al
lege that the Black Hills is still techni-
cally part OF their possessions. For
some years Grow Dog has fOstereC this
opinion until it has become to him in
his childishness, something Of a mania.
Killed Spotted Tail.
Back in 1883, during some political
dissension among the tribal Indians on
the Rosebud reservation, Crow Dos
shot and killed Spotted Tail, chief Of
the Sioux nations. He was tried and
sentenced to death. Then Judge PlOw-
man took hold. Grow Dog was con-
fined in the Deadwood Jail and had in
hat 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
months of plodding, he had worked 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-
cal and state courts and hen he car
ried it to the United States supreme
court. Here more obstacles and work
Oeset his path, but he ~persevered. After
an II, 000-mile trip in search of evil
a~aA 5000 -- ,vs,1E-- ,N -
Washington, d. c., two days before the
hearing, Judge Plowman learned that
Crow Dog had escaped from the Dead
wood Jail. Under the supreme court
ruling, 1t would be impossible TO argue
the case Of a prisoner not then in Gus
tOdy. He knew his Indian client ha0
gone home to the reservation to bic
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 tC
show m 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, n 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
d James Layton, known as m
and the latter, before his death, had
old the Indian that he would soon
lie a similar death. The sensitive ma
ture Of the red man had accepted the
suggestion n he had decided to see
his family nee 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.