Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1917-04-05
Chief Welkie decided to send a COM
mission to Washington to interview

ton, that President Lincoln told them
that they could have all the ammuni.
ton they needed for their protection.
| He asked them at the same time not
to induce trouble but to go to them as
brothers taking with them the bravest
and best to make parley for peace.
This was done and Chief Welkie, Pc.
ter Grant, Gabriel Dumont, Joseph
LaFramboise, Antoine Fleury, and
seven others were chosen. They went
direct to the village of the Dakota's
or Nadouissouix and direct to the
lodge of the chief. This they found
surrounded by a guard of soldiers,
They reported to the chief, and he
asked them to DE brought in. The
rabble had gathered about the lodge
and threatened to kill them, but the
soldiers would not allow them to do
so saying that their chief was a brave
man and honored brave men who would
dare to come alone to a hostile camp.
The crowd was so envious and angry
that with their knives they slashed
the tent cloth in the lodges. Although
they were admitted to his presence
the chief was very austere. They
told him their mission, and being very
tired and thirsty Gabriel asked for a
drink of water. This was refused
which was known to be an Indication
of trouble. Chief Welkie became
alarmed and sadly dropped his fine
bearing. Gabriel. his s~on-in.laW ask
ed him, "What is wrong with your"
When the old gentleman told him his
fears, he became very angry. He
began at once to load his gun, say
ing, II won't die before | XII my
full share and again demanded
water which was brought Immediately
and due respect was shown their high
commission from that time forth.
When asked to fully expain their mis-
sion, as spokesman. Chief Welkie
said, 1--WE are enemies wasting the
good gift God has bestowed upon US
through nature. We are preventing
each other from trapping and killing
the ANIMALS. There is plenty of room
and much provisions let US help each
other as brothers, let US have peace
together When the council was
concluded, the pipe of peace was or
dered to be brought. This was a very
long pipe, ornamented with human
hair so long as to reach to the floor,
bear claws and %porcupine quilts were
also a part of its decoration. The
tobacco was cut by his first lieuten-
ant, this was mixed with several
herbs, and kinni-kinnick. This mix
ing of the tobacco was to indicate the
fusion of their interests and harmony
of the whole people. The pipe was
then handed to the Sioux chief, who
took three draws and passed it to
Chief Welkie, in this way it went
around the lodge. Three times the
pipe was filled and solemnly smoked
and peace thereby established.
Chief Welkie then distributed to
them gifts of tobacco, tea and aga
They were then given a great feast
at which they told how sad they were
and afraid when they thought they
were going to regret their friendship
and asked how they should get safely
home. The chief said with great
dignity. II will give you safe con-
duct, | will send my soldiers with you
to your lodge and nothing will harm
you. You have seen here some of nv
bad children. you may meet them on
the way, but if they attempt to harm
you, kill them, and l will protect
you (The above took place On
Grand Cotean, forty miles west of
Devils Lake, Before leaving Chief
Welkie invited the Sioux to send a
delegation to visit his people, setting
the day and hour for their arrival.
When the time drew near Chief Well
kie bearing in front of him a white
flag, went a mile out to meet them.
About one hundred came, the chief and
his staff were quartered in Chief
Welkies lodge, the common people
were scattered so as to get better ac-
q%uainted. When the time for them
to go arrived, they, as a sign of their
friendship and b%rotherly feeling traded
all their horses taking back none they
had brought with them. Much good
was accomplished, although there
were still bad children (perhaps on
both sides). Sometime later the wife
OF one of Chief Welkies hunters in
gathering wild turnips. went a little
too far from the camp. Four Sioux
carried her off keeping her for three
days. She was guarded day and night
by two of these, finally the third night