Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-06-28
INTERVIEWING AN INDIAN
CHIEF TOLD OFBY HASKIN
Daily Letter by Frederic j. Haskin

WASHINGTON, June 2s:-The
face of Two Guns White Calf is prob
ably better known than that of any
other Indian now living. There are
millions of taffalo nfcke,s in exist
ence, and Two Guns profile is on
every one of them. His features are
as familiar a part of everyday life
in America as the head of the god
dess Of liberty on the dime or the
portrait of Washington on the two
cent stamp.
The possessor of this unusual kind
of fame has been here as Il l.urticip-
ant of a rodeo. An Indian village,
manned by $50 full blooded Indians
was displayed, and Chief Two Guns
was prominently among those pres
ent.
We sought out this Blackfoot
chief in his tepee in the village. He
gravely invited us in and motioned
to a seat on an army cot. He then
settled himself on one side of the
visitor and his interpreter took
his place on the other side.
For the benefit of the stream of
visitors later in the day Two Guns
would don his war paint and finery.
His morning costume, however, con-
sisted of a jade green shirt, blue
denim trousers, and moccasins. He
tossed on the floor his farmers straw
hat leaving the famous profile in
full relief. The reason why he ap-
pealed to the designer of the nickel
was then fully evident. Two Guns
has the Indian features-strong nose
high cheek bones, set mouth-in
bold relief, His hair hung in short
braids over either shoulder. Shell
earrings adorned his ears, and strings
Of beads were wound round his neck.
Visiting cards were exchanged in
silent ceremony, and the business of
conversation began. Questi~ls re-
layed through the interpreter elected
,the information that Two Guns is
proud of his unique position in Am
erican history and finance.
The interpreter translated in a
singsong voice, pausing between
phrases:
HE says-he appreciated very
much his face known all over the
country, and everywhere he goes
they take his picture because of pro-
file on buffalo nickel.
AAC Ga9o4AC GP|oE9 ~ 10 VI
English but because of buffalo nickel
he is honored wherever he goes.
HE says-when he came to Wash
ington after his profile was put on
nickel he was given twenty new nick
els and told to distribute them to his
friends.
He has travelled to New York,
Boston, Georgia, and other parts of
It n $500 --a-rr H4,-a-
mers in Glacier National Park to
greet visitors. It is a fine place.
Many people come there. Indians
make you welcome first day same as
you know them a year"
ProuG OF Glacier Park
AT whatever point Two Guns con-
versation started it generally came
around sooner or later to Glacier
National Park. The Blackfoot In
dams sold to the Government what
is now one-half of this park, and
their reservation adjoins it. They
all take great pride in the park and
its wonders. When conversation
paused for an instant Two Guns be-
gan to talk of some new attraction
there.
Glacier National Park Is fine
place. Good fishing, clear streams.
While you pick many wild flowers
with one hand, same time you hold
SNOWFALL in other hand"
The wife of the Blackfoot brave
speaks no English. Sitting on a
bearskin on the floor of another tent
she informed the writer that living
in a tepee is no longer considered
an ideal existence by Indians.
Things get dirty. Tired of sitting
on floor. House much better. W.
have tables, chairs, stove. At home,
busy all day doing work."
This last remark referred to the
situation on the Blackfoot reserva-
ton. The thirty-lve Blackfoot In
dams who accepted the invitation
to come East to dance and be ex-
hlbited for the benefit of the white
men were not anxious to make the
trip at this time. These Indians are
now farmers, and they take coIpiider-
able interest in their farms and
homes
After they sold their land to the
Government for the National Park
they had honey 1t Is said that no
Indians subscribed more literally for
Liberty Bonds from their personal
funds than the Blackfoet tribe.
But their reservation in Montana
sKaa cnpsidAzad Rlmnak hanakAna -.