Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1917-10-19
TEN SIOUX INDIANS IN
TRAINING AT CAMP GREENE

Within the memory Of number OF
officers commanding units OF north
western guardsmen at Camp Greene
and within the experience OF lesser
number, the Sioux indians were the
most bitter enemy of the pale face,
who in increasing numbers was in
vading his domains over the plains of
the northwest and the Black Hills
OF the Dakotas, says the Observer, OF
Charlotte, North Carolina.
But, under the command of these
same officers are number Of indians
of the Sioux tribe, still as daring men
and as desperate fighters az we're
their forefathers, though now they
are fighting side by side with the
men they once resisted with despera-
ton and cruelty, in which, of course,
the young indians OF Camp Greene
took no part and for which they hold
no responsibility.
They are good soldiers those boys
from the Sioux reservation, and 1
have no doubt they would be delight
ed to have the opportunity OF prac-
ticing scalping at the expense OF the
kaiser" remarked one officer.
These fellows have never fought
against Americans. but they are the
grandsons OF Sioux. some OF whom
still are. living in the Dakotas, that
led their wild followers against the
American military chieftans.'
The chief of the Indians at Camp
Greene is, Ebert Grass, grandson of
John Grass, the now aged chief JUS
tice of the Sioux tribe, living on the
Standing Rock preservation in North
and South Dakota.
This infirm ruler, in whose breast
the same war. passions surge, told
the heir to his position and property
to go and fight with the American
soldiers with the same spirit Of de-
termination his grandfather had In
former days fought against them.
Go my son, and do thy duty by
the Great White Father In Washing
ton" said Chief John Grass OF the
Sioux, when Ebert Grass told him
he was ready to enlist in the Second
North Dakota infantry regiment, Co.
I, according to Elbert Grass, during
an interview, when he told of the
motives promptingi himself and his
motives prompting himself and his
Eibert Grass 10 the only living
male blood relative of the chieftian,
whom the tribe always send TO Wash
ington as their ambassador when ad-
Justments are in order, and 1t 10 the
wish OF the ruler, shorn now OF much
OF his greatness and power, to attend
each presidential inauguration until
he goes to the Happy Hunting
Grounds.
Captain WEIGH, commander OF Co.
], In which his brothers" OF the
Sioux tribe enlisted. is the adopted
son OF Chief John Grass, the adoption
having been celebrated with great
ceremony on the Standing Rock res
ervation about eight years ago, which
in large measure accounts for the
presence in Company I. of the young
redskins from the reservation.
Gen. Geo.. Custer, the central fig
ure OF the memorial Clusters massa-
ere, was the paleface chieftian to win
over John Grass, then a great war
rior. to the views OF the Washington
administration, and since that time
has been leading his slowly decreas-
ing followers TO accept the best doc
trines Of the white men. In the Da-
kotas he now Ia q man honored and
respected.
Young Ebert Grass. squatting on
a soft carpet OF the heritage for which
he Is named, told, with characters
tic Indian brevity. but with apparent
desire to render favor. OF his grand
fathers wish for him to fight for
America against Germany, and of
the other members Of the tribe now
with him at the camp.
my grandfather hated to see me
go, for he is old and has no sons, and
an his only grandson. OF course,