The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-04-24
Campfire stories-No. /.


Boys, it is extremely fitting in start
pay homage to the American Indian,
because the Sioux tribe taught me
much that has been GOOD in my life
Nothing in my career has made me
happier than my adoption into the
TIPI ORDER of AMERICA. I will
let my little card of membership ex-
plain:
This IS to certify that William s.
Hart Brave Wolff is a member of
Tipr Order of America in good stand
ing-a worthy adopted member of our
race. Attested, Red Fox Shiuhashu,
Most High Chief"
That this order of American Indians
have seen fit to do me this signal
| cesses of my life. And I will do well
to live up to its laws. The Tipi order
| is founded on the principles of Amer
/ lea. first and Iast-belief in the Great
Spirit and promotion Of the interests
of the Indians.
I have related the above event to
you boys because I aim to show you
the high standards of the Indian boys
with whom I grew up in the Dakota
territory. as well as describing how
they were trained to hunt and track.
and how they played their primitive
! games
The American Indian was Natures
aristocrat.
1 reckon the American Indian was
! the proudest being that ever lived
! proud in his might and valor and wis
dom proud in his tradition. proud in
his honor-yet humble in his simple
belief in the Great Spirit.
/ The progress of civilization is some
times merciIess. and there is no
I greater tragedy in the worlds history
/ than the passing Of the powerful In
dian tribes into the confines of reser-
vations When they mingled with
white men they lost their nobility and
/ strength because. the two races were
much too different to mix successfully.
/ The laws of civilization are not the
| laws of Nature. and so the son of
Nature had to go. The Indians OF
| today are far from being the splendid
| examples of physical manhood that
! were their ancestors who lived in the
/ freedom of the Western outdoors. OF
| course. there are a few, particularly
/ the Sioux Indians in Dakota--who are
/ still loyal to their ancient traditions
and tribal pride
I Due te- the many wild, b1ood-curd-
Iing-and untrue-dime novels writ
ten about the west, in which poor
redskins ''bit the dust" every time the
/ hero's trusty six-shooter cracked, most
of the white people of today are far
fighters than in their peaceful pur-
suits Like all of US, the Indian had
his faults as well as his virtues Be
cause his virtues greatly outnumbered
any faults that he may have had, I
want TO tell you boys something about
the wonderful training in manhood
that was the birthright Of every IN
dian youth
! For example. boys. much Of an In
( dams physique and rugged nature -
gained from centuries of life in the
outdoors right next to old Mother
Earth The plains Indians were born
upoIl the ground All you boys have
read of old Sitting Bull. that famous
medicine man and chief of the Sioux
Just before his death he owned a log
cabin and a bed Yet when he knew
that his end was near he went out
doors and spread his blanket upon the
ground.
I'm not advising any OF you boys to
try sleeping on the ground, because
you are rot suited for it You must be
/ born and raised in the outdoors. or
else acquire il gradually But I will
try to give you some outdoors lessons
which may prove Of value
Question Box-No.- 1.
Boys. I have been requested to ex-
plain how 70 light signal fires. and how
10 convey messages by smoke
When T was boy living on the
frontier of the Dakota territory OF the
United States I learned much Of the
plains and wooderaft Of the Sioux IN