Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1930-03-27

fought with his traditional enemies.
He lived with the constant thought OF
conflict in his mind, n knew no
greater law than that of Self-preserva-
ton.
The Cheyenne Indians of eastern
Montana were no exception to this
general rule. Members OF this tribe,
in conjunction with the Sioux, III their
initial contacts with the white men
who came in SWarmS TO settle a new
country, fought to prevent the thing
which they knew would mean their
Punishment from their ancient hunt
ing grounds. The cohesion of these
two tribes forms one OF the most ro-
mantle episodes in the Indian history
of the northwest. In their primitive
state they held little regard for things
beyond the realm of their requirements
and exercised hardly a thought OF de-
parting from the traditions OF their
forefathers to enter upon that phase
Of life which the white men called
civilization. The net result was bloody
conflict and continued warfare for a
number Of years.
After the final s~ubjugation of the
Cheyennes, when they were settled on
their reservation neal the headWaterS
of the Tongue river, white men who
were selected to rule over them could
readily see why these red men were
not more progressive and ambitious.
In his free state, the Cheyenne had
few cares and responsibilities. When
compelled to become government wards
the Cheyennes entered upon a new
field of %endeavor, dependent upon the
white man to govern and instruct.
In his helplessness it was recognized
that the first duty of the white guardi-
an was to teach the Cheyenne the
element of responsibility. His employ
ment in a gainful occupation was es-
sential. Two were opened in
which this could be brought about.
Give him employment and teach him
the principle of self-government in
tribal relations. The authorities at
Fort Keogh were in constant need of
wood. The Cheyennes were set to work
cutting down trees and splitting them
into cordwood length. A police force
was organized among the more intelli-
gent OF the C~heyennes and power be-
slowed to see that tribal peace was
maintained at all times.
Employment of the Cheyenne Indian
ii"o ~ CllCSV vi lAlCl CdSlllb lis lGllQeIl-
cy toward boastfulness. He magnified
his successful exploits and minimized
his failures. One evening in the early
nlnetieS. n Of the members of the
Cheyenne police force, in a humorous
mood, related some incidents about the
Custer battle. He said there were five
Indians going after the last officer
alive and who was headed for the
Little Big Horn river. His pony ran
more swiftly than those of his COM
paniOns in the chase and he reached
the fugitive first. He threw away the
officers watch and paper money, keep
ing only the bright things, such as
a silver ring. If he had the money
then, he said, he could use it, as he
was only getting fifteen dollars a
month. He threw the watch away
because he was afraid of the ticking
noise within it. Referring to the In
dian casualties, this Indian stated that
twelve Cheyenne and fifty-four Sioux
were killed in that battle.
Human agencies employed by the
government to lead the reservation IN
dian, and especially the Cheyenne, to
a higher plane of life, socially and
constructively, failed to a large extent
in the mission, if such it was, because
OF the constant changing of the per-
sonnet of the white guardianship in
the earlier years of the government eX-
pertinent.
Government Mistakes
The government, no doubt, meant
well but was too far from the scene