The Oskaloosa herald., 1918-12-12
whitesMan Becomes Indian Chief

agency in North Dakota and who are
now with the SSth division in France
IS white man who becomes CHER OF
the Sioux tribe of Indians at Fort
Yates, the headquarters of the Stand
ing Rock agency.
mantle falls upon the shoulders OF the
only white man ever adopted INTO tne
tribe. Thus Captain A. B. Welcn, OF
Mandan, adopted son of the old chief
tain, becomes, according to ancient
customs of the Sioux, the chief OF the
tribe.
The new Sioux chief, whose Indian
name is Mato- Watakpe, is with the
United States infantry in France ana
is the aide of Major General Hunter
Liggett. A grandson of John Grass
Albert Grass, is serving with the same
division. ~,
The name ato-Watakpe is the
Sioux war name of the old chief ana
means Charging Bear" When ne
was adopted Captain Welch chose TINS
name as the one by which he would be
known among the Indians, -,
Altho the chief of today has not the
same powers of the chief Of years
gone by, the title still gives him the
respect of the Indians and they recogI,
nize him as their leader. A chief still
represents his tribe in all the disputes
or conferences with the government.
Captain Welch for many years has
been a student of the Indian customs
and formed many friendships with
members of the Sioux tribe. In 1913,
because of a mutual regard that had
grown UP between the captain and the
chief, John Grass, the latter asked the
captain if he would be willing to be
adopted as his son. The captain con-
sented and, conforming to the ancient
ceremonies of the Sioux, was taken
into the tribe by service held at Fort
Yates, the old trading center. The
Service began at dawn and lasted until
sundown. ....
The body of the old chief has been
laid in the cemetery at Fort Yates and
the Sioux now look for the return OF
their "pale face chief" from the great
war to assume control of their affairs
and act as their spokesman in all
matters in which the tribe is involved.
Hostess House for ColOred Women
Completed
Brig. Gen. Simmons was master OF
ceremonies at the dedication of the
recently completed hostess house for
Negro women. The new hostess house
is beautifully furnished and can ac-
commodate 200 visitors at one time.
Downstairs is a big lounge room fin
ished in oak with a color scheme OF
place is on one side, while writing
tables and easy chairs similar to those
in Hostess House No. l, are scattered
about. There is cafeteria finished in
attractive blue where meals and light
refreshments will be served daily.
The cafeteria is in charge of Mrs.
Mary Pixon. Miss Virginia Robinson
will be the directing hostess.
A Jewish Club House to Be Erected
That Camp Dodge is to be factor
in army circles for many months is
the belief of the Jewish organization
and money has been provided and
work already commenced upon COM
modious club house. 1t is to be just
west of the Lutheran Brotherhood
building on ground now occupied by
newspaper offices. 1t will be supplied
with all conveniences. At present the
Jews have a meeting place in the city
but nothing of an adequate nature
within the camp.
Enlarge Hospital at Fort Des MOines
Major ]. P. Shelby, constructing
quartermaster at Fort Des Moines,
has received orders to proceed at once
to enlarge the reclamation hospital.
Twelve large buildings facing the
street which runs back of the present
wards on the south side of the parade
ground are to be remodeled ten as
wards for patients and two as general
mess halls.
A half dozen additional nurses
quarters also are to be constructed
with four wards for the mentally de-
ficient. The additional wards will
bring the total maximum capacity of
the hospital up to about 1000 patients.
The Ford million dollar assembling
plant is to be vacated by the Ford
representatives December 1st and
turned over to the war department
for reclamation hospital purposes. 1t
will accommodate 1000 wounded men.
81 In making the selections, Major o.
NJ. Schwerdtfeger, chief of the med
ical service, is taking only such men
as will require but little treatment
and that of a general nature before
being deemed fit for discharge. 1t is
probable no littea cases will be taken.
AS far as possible Minnesota soldiers
and others from the northwest will be
selected and sent to Fort Smelling, so
that they may be nearer their homes
and make it more convenient for
friends and relatives to visit them.
Comrades in Fact
Saturday two soldiers from over
seas entered a clothing store. One
was a Filipino and the other an In
dian. The Filipino had lost his right
arm in France, and the Indian had
given his left arm for his country
Each wanted glove for his remaining
hand, so they jointly bought a pair,
The Indian had the larger hand and
men furnish an idea Of the medley of
races at the U. S. hospital at Fort
Des Moines.