White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1932-12-08

H:.i'$&ae&sak
Blackfeet, was
Two Guns warm friend of Presi-
White Calf dent Roosevelt, and it
was during a visit to
him in Washington that the Great
Spirit summoned him. President
Roosevelt sent the body of White Calf
back to his people in private car,
with military escort-honors which
the Blackfeet deeply appreciated.
Two Guns did not choose to shine
by his fathers light. He could have
made a wistful figure as the son of
the last great chief, living in the glo-
ries of the past. But Two Guns is
modern. There Is, he finds, great
deal to interest an Indian in the pres
ent day. and he intends to see and
learn all about it. For the last twenty
years, the famous Blackfoot has been
enjoying a unique life, for an Indian,
and no doubt he will continue to do so.
In 1912, group Of Indians, Of which
Two Guns was one, went East. The
striking appearance Of the chief at
tracted instant attention, and his un-
usual mental qualities brought him to
the fore as man we'll worth featur-
ing. The band was quartered in tipis
on the roof Of New York hotel, then
the highest hotel building in the world,
and crowds poured up to see the pic
turesque folk and their especially pic
turesque leader, who was as much at
home on the skyscraper roof as he was
in his own camp by the peaceful lake.
Two Guns was the first Indian to go
up In a plane. During this eastern
trip, he was taken up in hydroplane
at Dodds Ferry, on the Hudson. AS
the spirits Of dead and gone Blackfeet
watched from their happy hunting
grounds in the Land Beyond, were
they outraged at his daring? I doubt
it; more probably. they nodded their
ghostly heads in approval, and said,
"He is our own brave soma true
Blackfoot."
Queen Marie of Rumanla, during her
American visit, stopped to greet Two
Guns on his reservation. Surely no
more striking picture than this could
be imagined: the gracious royal lady
and the stately and striking Indian
chief, exchanging courtesies to the
music of drum-beats, before back
ground Of tipis, war-bonnets, and pinto
ponies. It Is not recorded that Two
Guns lacked one whit of the poise Of
his queenly guest.
September II, 1927. found this most
sophisticated Indian at the White
House. The Great White Father, Pres
dent Coolidge, and the great red
chief, Two Guns met as leaders of
their people should meet-ceremonial-
y and with courtesy. Presidents and
chiefs have met before, 1t Is true, since
the days of Washington, but never be-
fore has their meeting been on such
equal terms.
There is nothing Of the taciturn In
dian Of legend about Two Guns White
Calf. The chief has a ready sense Of
humor, and enjoys a hearty laugh,
even at his own expense. He likes to
meet people, and to be in large gath
erings and he naturally dominates any
crowd.
Unusual in his character as Two
Guns Is, in appearance he Is the typ
ical Indian. His head reminds one Of
buffalo's. His strikingly fine
physique, CARRIED in the picturesque
clothing of his tribe, Is an eye-filling
sight. His good-nature does not dis
guise the strength Of character which
one feels Is his chief attribute.
Examine a buffalo nickel, and COM
pare 1t with the photograph. While
the Indian head shown on the coin is
composite picture, the likeness to Two
Guns Is apparent. He might have
been the 'invisible model" for the head
evidently he stood out strikingly in
the artists mind.
And 1t is fitting that Two Guns like
ness should adorn the coin. The old
order has changed, and only mod
ern Indian, alive to the interests Of the
modern world, would represent the
first families of America at the pres
ent day. He represents the new In
dian, who Is taking his place in the
sun, alert to the opportunities around
him, ambitious and successful.
20. 1892, Western Newspaper Union.)