The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-12-26

battle front, and the grim earnest
ness OF it all came home. Albert
Grass, grandson OF the old chief, was
one Of those who early answered the
call for fighting men.
The first real test of the Sioux
county chapter came with the second
Red Cross war fund drive last May.
Reports from authentic sources
reached the state headquarters that
it was a poor time to make a dnan-
ciaI demand on the people Of the
county. State Director Young and
Secretary Wilbur hesitated long be-
fore making the apportionment, but
ultimately elected to make 1t ON the
same principles and basis as govern
ed the apportioning generally. They
asked Sioux county to raise $1,000.
All things considered, it was heavy
apportionment-
Chairman Fiske was installed az
campaign manager. Chief Grass took
hold of the work among the Indians
as far as his failing health would
permit. When the drive ended, Sioux
county had raised in cash and
pledges total OF $1,692, or better
than I60 per cent on its apportion-
ment. Much Of it was cash, realized
from the auctioning of horses, cat
tie, and other property donated by
the Indians.
The Roll Gall Campaign.
Changes came as the week and
months went by. Chief Grass left
the reservation and his people for
ever, his spirit journeying to the land
of the Great Spirit where the war
lodges are closed forever. Later,
only a few weeks ago, came the letter
from Capt WEIGH, OF Bismarck, tell
ing that Albert Grass had been kill
ed in action while cleaning out a
machine gun nest. Twenty four
the old chiefs grandson before a
bullet ended the war for him. The
fighting prowess of the Sioux had
been gloriouSly sustained.
Then came the Red Cross Christ
mas Roll Call. States Attorney Ed
ward 8. johnson was chosen to man
age 1t. He accepted. and, despite the
difficulties, went to work with a win.
Travel was difficult. Weather con-
ditIons were bad. Influenza was cpl
demic there. as elsewhere, and for q
time Mr.. johnson himself was i'll with
1t. The Indians asked for their can
wasting supplies and he got them to
them. They canyaased tirelessly.
And on Christmas I've rs per cent Of
all the Sioux on the reservation had
been enrolled, and the Red Cross
service flag. emblem OF mercy and
humanity. hung in nearly every Sioux
home with the little crosses upon 1t
telling of the almost universal MEM
bership.
ls Christmas Sermon.
'gThat is the record" said Secretary
Wilbur as he closed the files. "And
that is why I think the report tells
such significant story between its
lines. It came on Christmas morn
ing. Its message is to all the free
nations of the world that this Christ
mas found with the peace in their
possession for which they had bat
tied, suffered, sacrificed. and endured
unspeakable horrors through four
long years Of war. It tells OF ten
derness and mercy for those who SUI
fer most. IL seems to ask. in mem
ory OF Albert Grass and other Sioux
youths who gave their lives in this
war, that the peace to be establish
ed at Versailles be g. peace Of such
stern justice that even the faithiess
Hun will not dare break it. And it
carries the gift OF an humble people
and teStifies that their hearts every
where who have found "the greatest
mother In the world"
Set ali this against the back
ground of the Sioux history, the his
tory Of a people here before the white
man came to limit them to reserva-
tions and circumscribe them with
laws and customs that were strange
and hampering, and Think you viii
see why &c seems TO me that in their
answer to the FED Cross Christmas
Roll Coil the Sioux have preached,
by their deeds, the greatest Christ
mas sermon In the world"