The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-03-24

otUl VI VIC 4NuIutCl lNuI DS
cline Of the "First Ameri-
t. cans" - Indians Story Of
Custer Fight Told.
(By r. A. Kinsley in the Philadelphia
Record)
While no one will deplore the tre-
mendous progress made by the White
races on the American continents
since the sailor from Genoa first set
foot upon these shores, there is doubt
less regret that the natives of these
lands. the aborigines whom we call
the Indians. are rapidly disappear
ing from the vast areas which once
were theirs.
There is still left some tribal life,
1t is true. especially in those reserva-
tons, mainly in the West. which have
been allotted to the descendants of
the original owners of all this great
territory; but as nation we seem to
be too busy with our own affairs to
give much attention to the remnants
of a former numerically strong peo-
pie.
~ 10 q picdSuEcS iHcH, VI DC FeHIHu-
cd that there are some who are not
oblivious of the claims of the Indians
upon those who have supplanted them
and who can turn aside from their
own pressing affairs to give thought
to the tragedy being enacted in our
country, tragedy that involves the
y passing of the old possessors of the
I land from this earthly stage forever.
That the Indian deserves a fate
: better than that which seems to be
inevitably awaiting him in an early
tomorrow was sentiment that in.
spired the work which is epitomized
in splendid volume, 1.-THE Vanish
ing Race by Joseph Kassuth Dixon.
LII. D., published by the National
American Indian Memorial Association
Press. Philadelphia. The present is
the third edition of book which has
been acclaimed not only in this coun-
try but in Europe as an authoritative
and scholarly presentation Of all
phases of the Indian problem in
America.
A Council Of the Braves
"The Vanishing Race" tells among
other things. Of the last great Indian
council, wherein chiefs from nearly
all the tribes recountcd the stories Of
their lives and rctold many legends
which comprised a great deal Of In
dian history and folklore. which might
have been rrctricvably lost had not
means been provided for their prescr-
walton.
Here. too. is the Indians story Of
the Custer fight in 1876. related by
the four surviving Custer scouts,
which tragedy DR.. Dixon terms the
reddes. chapter in the Indian wars of
the Western plains. DR.. Dixon cx-
tolls General Clusters daring and
chivalry and his skill as warrior and
gives the Indians conclusions as to
the cause Of Clusters failure and the
important part that Reno played in
the disastrous drama. This is an i'm
portant contribution to the literature
on that widely discussed and long
puzzling episode.
Much New Material
In this third and revised edition Of
his book. Dir. Dixon presents great
deal of additional matter comprising
102 pages and many new Illustrations
with an amplificd preface in which
he graphically outlines the progress
of the research work conducted by
him. The volume contains 80 photo
gravures of Indian chiefs and Indian
life, taken by the author, comprising
an extraordinary gallery of Indian
types which are of value to the stu
ucHt. INC pSycHOloSiSt ana inc ms
torian.
Led Many Expeditions
DIR. Dixon was the leader Of II his
torical expeditions to the North
American Indian "to perpetuate the
life story Of these First Americans
vanishing race. These expeditions
were the concept of Rodman Wanna.
maker. who writes the preface to 1.-The
Vanishing Race" and explains the
purpose which led TO the sending out
Of the expeditions. These purposes
were ITO gather historic data and
make picture records Of the North
American Indians. of their manners
customs, their sports and games. their
warfare, religion. and the country in
which they live" One result of Mr.
Wanamaker's zeal in honoring the
First American was the erection oil
the Indian Memorial in the harbor oil
New York. uthorized by Congress
Out of this grew the third expedition
which brought about the union OIL
every tribe with the National Indian
Memorial. the sealing of an enduring
and patriotic covenant between The
races.
Brought About Indian Citizenship
DR.. Dixon gives the various steps il
the Indian citizenship expedition
which movement was Endorsed b,
President Woodrow Wilson. man!
eminent Americans and all the prin
cipal newspapers, and which visite,
all the 189 tribes of Indians. involvin,
journeys totaling 27,00O miles b!
train. boat, stage. automobile ant
donkey. Every tribe signed the Dec
laration Of Allegiance to the Govern
mcnt and raised the Fort Wadswortl
Flag. It was we'll said that 9TH
Wanamakcr Expedition was Pilgrim
age Of Patriotism" and ushered il
better days for the Indian.
Dr. Dixon shows the Indian as h
was yesterday, and as he is today
lie further proves that the Indian i
:. truly "The Vanishing Race" despit
the efforts of propagandists to Great
and foster different impression
So rapidly is the race disappearing
that DR.. Dixon's labOrs to preserve i
) picture and text the exact data o
original Indian culture is worthy tn
strongest commentator.
Disease and Its Toll
As DR.. Dixon tells US. the onc-win
dow log house has taken the place o
the tcpec; the rifle has supplantcd til
how and arrow; the war bonnet ha
been d;sca rdcd the Indian is goin
as the buffalo went. Even in the fc'
years since the first expedition wen
forth, so many changes in the man
ners and dress Of the Indians hay
taken place that it would he imposs
Bile to duplicate many Of the picture
which. appear in "rhe Vanishin
Race"
Truly a Vanishing Race
DIR. Dixon notes the official stat.
mcnt that the decrease Of Indian pc,
ulation in the United States since II
canning Of the white man is 65 M