The Washburn leader., 1913-06-13

SeAt W Clle cdIAp.
just as the party came over
the brow Of the hill approaching
camp, they were greeted by at
least 500 warriors in costume and
paint. They rushed to Mr.. Welch
and siezed him, advising the
chief that while he had decided
/ to adopt him, they would take
the7matter into their own hands
and determine if he was accept
able to the entire tribe. placed
between two chiefs, and followed
by the horde, Welch was taken
to the camp where a hurried
council was called. As the varie-
gated procession marched down
lover the historic hills where many
q prisoner had been taken before
in earnest; when the war-whoop
rang out and was re-echoed from
side to side of the valley as if in
mockery, the spectacle was one
Of hideous grandeur, at the same
tim me causing a shiver to creep
over one, as he thought what if it
were the real occurrance. Welch
was taken from his horse and
marched into the enclosure where
a hurried council was held. One
dissenting vote would have bar
red his adoption, but the ballot
was clear and he was allowed to
accept the honor. After few
prellminaries, such as the grass
dance, the side step and the buf-
falo dance, song which had been
especially composed in honor of
Mr.. Welch by chief and entitl-
ed, 81 am soldier of Charging
Bear was sung by the compos-
ef.. This was considered quite. an
honor.
The noon hour having arrived
the feast was arranged and all
hands ready. Father A. MEG.
Beede delivered a prayer, first in
Sioux language and repeated it
in English. The Standing Rock
Indian band then played few
numbers in surprisingly good styl'
while the great party partook OF
the "delicacies" Of the feast.
Mrs. Welch and Miss Ward, of
this city, and Mrs. Roberts Of the
agency, were good Indians and
partook of the dish set before
them as if they liked it. They
never flinched, and even thought
| it great sport-so they said.
After the feast was over the
real ceremony Of adoption was
|proceeded with. Chief John Grass
Iopened with a speech to the crowd
which was interpreted by j. s.
Brown. He spoke in kindest
terms Of the white people, and
said that his old father had ad-
vised him to always show kind
ness and respect and honor to all
men and he had always tried to
do it. He stated that he had al
ways tried to make his name an
honorable one and he hoped this
man who was % be adopted
would do the same. He stated
that this occasion was a great
one and he hoped his people
would always remember the day
and observe it. He said the dane
es were good and he hoped the
people and the government would
SO understand it. He stated that
in all treaties he had tried to
have the children educated
well. He said the old timers had
always danced though the young
!, ones did not participate in it,
and it was quite necessary that
the old ones be allowed to. He
also recommended them to the
Christian church. He has also
] worked hard for the allotment OF
land and was glad he had sue
!, ceeded as well as he had. He said
when he saw the old people in
cd costumes he felt sad, for they
were fast passing away and would
soon be no more. He said the
old people are fast becoming un-
able to work or to care for their
affairs and it il necessary that
they be assisted. He stated that
!, while other nations and tribes
were giving away their goods,
/ this was not the case Of his peo-
pie, the Sioux and that they
were doing mneh better than 9th
err in caring tar what they had. {
e closing tliil apsech Mr. Gras Y.