The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1916-08-18
Crow Creek Inhabi-
tants Hold Unique
Demonstration
ENTER so. DAKOTA
DRY" CAMPAIGN
Organization Is Now
More Than Score
Years Old


stration on the Crow Greek Indian
reservation in South Dakota recent
~. Seven hundred Indians. mostly
OF the Sioux tribe. eScoriated drink,
declared IN their resolutions that al.
coeol was a. bad for the white man
as for the rcd. and demanded abso
lutte prohibition OF the trafic. The
three principal officers-elect wero
appointed field agents" 10 go out
and labor for statewide prohibition,
which measure is now pending IN
this state.
Three hundred indian tepees were
pitched on the camping grounds. all
filled with rods 10 work for the dry
cause, Most OF the braves came
overland. some OF them travelling
with teams for five days In order Ia
reach the convention. Indians were
present from all parts OF South Da.
kota, from North Dakota and from
Nebraska
Some OF the foremost orators in
The Sioux tribe, famous for great
orators, were the speakers at what
they called the annual meet Of the
Indian Temperance League OF South
and North Dakota. This league was
quietly formed by the Sioux Indian-
20 years ago. bu:, under the encour.
agement OF Indian Commissioner
Cato Sells. II has grown and deyel.
oped until nearly every Indian set
Element In South Dakota has It's
local organization.
The Indians are much wrought up
over the statewide prohibition cam.
paign pending In South Dakota. and
many 81 them are citizens and have
the privilege OF voting They do not
often exercise that right, however.
but this year the leaders ray they
propose 20 soc that every Sioux In
dian who has the franchise casts his
vote against drink. The great enemy
Of the red man So far as tho reds
are concerned. the Sioux propose to
make the vote unanimous
Nearly all the speeches during tho
demonstration were made IN the
Sioux language The little Indian
Presbyterian church was not large
enough 10 hold one-foGrth Of the
delegates. so the Indians had erect.
cd great pavilion OK poles and
brush 10 provide shelter The or.
gan was moved outside the church.
for The Sioux are very fond OF
music, and male choir Of young
Indians did the singing and there
was lots OF H. The Indians have
good voices and sang unafraid anil
with great gusto The songs were
hymns in the Sioux language.
Like all Indian gatherings. this
one was semi-secret II was not ad-
vertised on handbills in the white
mans way and very few white PEG
pie knew that any such thing was
due. Only two white men were pres
ent besides an itinerant photogra-
pher. These two white men. r. y.
Holsaple, superintendent Of the
South Dakota Anti-Saloon league.
and William T. Johnson, former
chief oflcer Of the United States In.
dian Service were there as was
Russell Harrison. Simon Antelope.
Ezekiel Shield, Sam Big Eagle ami
many others. all eXcoriating drink
and telling the woes that II had
brought to both the red man and
the white.
The convention closed with ad
dresses in English. which wtre In.
terpreted in Sioux. by Supt Holsaple
and by former Chief Johnson.
The Temperance league was form
cd by the Sioux Indians 90 years ago
end was formally approved by the
indian bureau in 1901. and has now
reached great proportions. II re-
quires total abstinence on the part
Of all members. and carries with II
certain fraternal ard insurance fea-
lures
Young educated Indians are re-
quired to keep silence In these con
ventions." because II is only for the
old and the wise 10 speak In public;
the youngsters must take back
seat
An admission fee Of 81 Is required
Of persons joining the league. but "
one desire TO withdraw he must pay
$40, and even then II requires the
consent Of the executive committee.
The constitution. which Is written
in the Sioux language. is In part as
follows.
mo member Of this league shall
drink any whisky or anything that
intoxicates. whatever its name.
"If any member becomes sick the
members shall give such help as he
needs
III any member dies every other
member shall contribute so cents
toward a casket and other expenses
OF the funeral as tribute 10 the
memory Of tn departed brother.
"1f any member shall have drunk
any intoxicating liquor he shall be
fined 25 dollars and made to renew
his pledge