Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1919-02-14
SlLETZ


ployed MRS. Esther Copeland Ander.
sen to teach the High School in the
absence of Miss Frances Farnham,
who is still detained at Seattle on
account Of sickness.
Darwin Watts of Company X, 1853
Infantry, is now on visit with his
folks. Pvt. Watts went over the seas
in July last. saw and engaged in some
of the big battles fought. He was
wounded in Belgium by German ma
chine gun, schrapnel passing thru
his right thigh, inficting a serious
wound. He lay on the battle field in
the mud waiting for night to come to
be taken to the hospital He dare
not raise his head or he would have
been shot He was in the Argonne
Forest and at Chateau-Theiry, two of
the most desperate battles ever fought
Mr.. Watts speaks Of the courage and
heroism OF the American soldier and
said no tongue could discribe the hor-
rors OF those battle fields, and the
atrocities committed by German sold
fers In Northern France and Belgium.
VI have seen enough Of war;" said Pvt.
Watts. 81 will return to Camp Lewis
and await my turn to be mustered
out
The Indians had big feather dance
at the Metcalf Hall Saturday. AL
though 1t was stormy night, good
crowd was present. This dance was
gotten up by the Indians to celebrate
the DAVIS act giving the Indians their
liberty and also deed to their land
In fee simple after the expiration of
twenty five years. The time will be
up July next. The Indians call this
celebration their Fourth OF July. Much
interest was taken by Indian women
in preparing their customs for this
event. It was something out Of the
ordinary. Their wampum belts and
feather head dresses were more gaudy
and beautiful than usual. In the dance
they seemed TO have lost some OF
their ancient and most beautiful songs.
A Rogue River Chief was asked to
start one OF their ancient songs
stepped forward in front of the gay
dancers and said in jargon, my
friends, how can / sing? My people
are nearly all dead. | am alone. my
heart is sad. cannot sing. But II
you people will help I'll start some
of the old songs And they did help
1t was sad and pathetic. The Chief
continued: Years ago before we saw
the white man we had big dances
our wigwams would not hold the peo
pie. We were happy then; our children
played upon the green and around
our tepees and all were happy and
full OF life. The timid deer played
ppon the hills: the coyotes bark
je herd in the distance. We worship
ed God in nature and every thing
around. In the fall Of the year when
the berries began to get ripe, when
the camas was ready to dig and the
acorns to be gathered, and the riveri
were full OF fish, the mountains with
game, then we would come together
and have a big dance and big feed
and thank the Great Spirit for hi
goodness. But these happy days hav,
passed away; my eyes are full o
tears and my heart is sick. The feath
er dance which the old folks 80 mucl
enjoyed will soon pass away. Gu
children will read OF It only In tn
white mans books" Such was tn
lamentation OF Chief John when calle,
upon to reproduce some Of the ancien
songs OF the Rogue Rivers.
Sergeant s. A. Ball was over fror
Toledo and spent Sunday at Sileti
He left Monday for Ohio after bein
mustered out of the service at Cam
Lewis. He was here last winter wit
Lieutenant Porter's company. tt
company had its quarters in one ,
the government buildings. Here Il
boys spent many happy hours. tt
citizens got up several entertainment
for their special beneht. They Q
joyed them. When leaving the bo.
said, I'VE will always have war
place In our hearts for the people
Siletz"