The Washburn leader., 1913-06-13
We|ch Adopted Member
Of Sioux Indian Tribe
Was taken as Captive to Camp on
Standing Rock Reservation Ac-
cepted by Council

SSk~sS
What was in all probability
the greatest civil event in the
history of the Sioux nation with
in upwards Of a century, was the
ceremony celebration at Fort
Yates on June 5th, of last
week, wherein A. B. Welch of this
city was adopted as a son OF
Chief John Grass (Ma-toh-wa-
tak-pe) meaning Charging Bear.
This ceremony, of which Mr..
Welch was. the central figure,
began about $3.50 in the morning
and continued until sundown. It
was the old-time ceremony, and
one which is very seldom prac-
ticed. The name given Mr.. Welch
by this adoption is o XII Cha To-
Ma Toh Wa TAX Pc, meaning
"A Soldier of Charging Bear"
As a matter of explanation it
might be stated that some time
ago, through an intimate acquain-
tance with John Grass, chief of
all the Sioux. Mr.. Welch fell
into favor with the famous chief,
who last winter expressed the
desire to have him as a son, CIV
ing him his name as closely as
he could, and still have a distin-
guishment. This was very agree
able to Mr.. Welch and a short
time ago the chief and some of
his men came up to Bismarck
and arranged for the occasion.
The date was set for June 4,
and on the 3rd, Mr.. Welch, ac-
companied by a party of friends,
took the steamer, Gros Ventre,
and went to Fort Yates for the
occasion. In six and one half
hours from the time it left the
landing at Bismarck, had landed
Mr.. Welch and his party, consist
ing of Mrs. Welch, Miss Aldyth
Ward, DR.. A. McB. Beede, H. c..
Fish, o. E. Anderson, Chas. Grif-
fee, S. C. Barnes and w. A..
Stickley at the historic Fort Va.
! tes. The party was met by chief
/ John Grass and Reservation Ag-
ent McCabe, most cordially.
The next day, which was to be
the day Of the celebration and the
adoption, was found to be all too
short, for the affair was growing
into proportions which exceeded
by far even the expectations Of
the Indians. Many had sent
word that they intended to be
present, and true to the Indian
style, they couldn't hurry fast
enough, hence it was decided to
Epostpone the exercises till the
next day, Thursday.
The day broke beautiful, and
while there was a bright sun,
yet there was a balmy breeze
which made the day ideal, and
all nature seemed to smile and
vie with those who had planned
to participate in the celebration.
The ceremonial camp is located
about seven miles from Fort Yat-
es, where the Indians have err
ected a large dance hall Of logs,
Ibuilt many years ago, and where
,the camp fire burns brightly
\ and often. Outside this hall had
been erected a large enclosure us
ing trees and tree boughs. In
the center were the drummers,
with. q second set to one side.
Outside this were the tents where
1.-THE steers, furnished by Mr..
Welch, were roasted. Around
the entire arrangement were the
tents Of the Indians, forming q
circle about two miles in circum-
ference. s
About $50 o clock Chief Grass
appeared at the Fort with hors
for Mr.. Welch and carriages for
his party. A long procession of
carriages followed, and headed by
the chief the train moved to-
ward the camp.
4 When within about mile and
q half Of the camp, and winding
around the rugged hills which hav
made Fort Yates famous, an In
dian warrior suddenly dashed
Iout from-no one knows where -
and halted the procession. After
8 chat with the chief he rode away
at break-neck speed, when soon
another appeared, and another,
till six had played this part. Each
reported to 4 signal man on 2
hill who signaled to another at
some distance and thus the word