The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-08-11

fro, an interviewing of leading war
riors in speak-easy accents, the git
of a Ford car or two and a few othel
~trifles and then a protest that echoed
in Washington.
A tribal council was called and II
stentorian tones the braves an
nounced that the resolution empow'
ering the superintendent to grant
leases vas mo good"
Unhappily for them the interior de.
partment at Washington is said to be
taking a contrary view and, while
~conceding that the tribe has a right
to revoke the power given the SUI
perintendent, it denies the right to
revoke leases already granted.
The tribal council vas recently
held in Hardin. New leases were
granted by the Indians themselves,
but, according to those who attended,
no leases were granted to any one
to whom the superintendent had pre-
~viously granted one. The result is
a clouding of the titles of some who
had already undertaken development
work and some legal entanglements
may result, though attorneys In Bill
lings state that the interior depart
ment will not recognize the attempt
ed reputation.
At the council in Hardin the braves
were every n of them clothed in
blankets or substitutes for them. Or
dinarily they dress as does the white
man, with the exception that they re-
tain their long hair, but In the coun-
Gil a blanket is essential.
Contact with the white man has
robbed the Indian of many Of his
distinguishing traits, but not of his
powers of ~oratory. Men who attend
ed the council declare that were the
national committees of the republic
and democratic parties ION their
they would select their cam
paign orators from among the Crows,
the Cheyennes and other tribes where
the Indian strain is still largely free
white intrusion.
At the Hardin council one brave
another arose to speak, each
with a message dealing with the well
of the tribe. There was much
;ophistry and some hypocrisy shown
t is said but the speaker delivered
lis address as though it came from
he heart.
Enter Two Spot
Among the speakers was a chief
Who bears the name of 1.-TWO Spot"
Two Spot" ad no blanket in his te-
zee it seemed so he brought the next
'est thing-a sheet. Wrapping his
beet about him as though it were
Roman toga he arose. 1.-THE next
peaker is Two Spot" droned the in
erpreter and each white man present
saned forward to get a glimpse of
he chief with the poker name.
The tall chief with his classical
.eatures, his long brains and his
lashing eyes arose and in the course
f his address said: "This ~reserva-
is the property of the Indian.
t must be administered for the In
benefit. Leases must be grant
d, not for the benefit of a few but
Dr. the welfare of the tribe. 1t will
e we'll to warn the white men pres
ut that it is useless to bride Indians
} support their plans. If it becomes
nown that any brave as been given
nything of value for his support in
lie passage of a lease the tribe will
spudiate such action. No lease will
3 granted to those who come not :
efore us with clean hands. The in :
rest of the tribe and of the tribe
My must govern" With a Sweep
Ig gesture 1.-TWO Spot" sat down. :,
Immediately there was a buzz
nong the assembled tribesmen and :
lie finger of accusation was waved ,
at the late speaker.
Two Spot" his dignity as a chief ]
I'D his oratorical manner laid aside,
.ughed in huge enjoyment as the
rcle continued to buzz with the un-
ertone of rapid fire conversation.
What is the cause of the excfte-
ent?" asked Senator Hogan of Bill \
ngs, who appeared before the coun-
/ as a representative Of several of
lie leasers.
why" said an Indian, who speaks
nglish fluently, they are upbraid- T
Two Spot for his statements.
hey charge him with having been
lid to attack the validity of the
They say that he got his bit
now doesn't want any one else
get in on the good thing"
Indian Transformed
1t is a far cry from the red man
made things unpleasant for =