The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-11-04

ton in war; decorates fine representation from
various tribes. Among them are Ordnance Sergt
James NJ. Gordon, a Chippewa, who
ceived this honor for rescuing while under shell
fire lieutenant of the French army, who
wounded while an inspection tour; Chester
Armstrong Fourbear, Sioux, who was cited for
bravery in swift running as a messenger at
Belicourt; John Harper, Ute; Thomas d.
Saunders Cheyenne; Marty Beaver, Creek, and
Nicholas E. Brown, Choctaw, who was killed in
action He was a corporal in the One Hundred
and Forty-second infantry composed largely of
Oklahoma Indians), and was posthumously
awarded the medal.
The Crow tribe proudly speak Of Joe Schen-
derleon, who given the Distinguished
Service medal as well as the Croix de Guerre.
Seneca Modoc Bert Hayman, also received
the French medal, and among the Pueblos are
Indian joe" Na-Hiv-A-Ta, a Hopi, to whom
was awarded the Distinguished Service medal,
and Gus Gertiez, a Pueblo bugler, who has the
CrOix de Guerre.
Four tribes were represented in the ceremo-
MES at the burial Of the Unknown Soldier in Ar
lington cemetery. (What If this Unknown was
an Indian? Perhaps he, too, follows the great
warpath in the Happy Hunting GroundsD
Whirlwnd Soldier and Red Owl, Pine Ridge
Sioux and Stranger Horse, from the Rosebud
Reservation, Lone Wolf, a Kiowa. and Plenty
Coups, Grow chief, assisted in the ceremonies.
Thomas D. Saunders whose story was told
above was one of the pall-bearers.
Joseph Takes the Shield, Sioux, and Ray
Red Fox, Chippewa, are also at rest In Airing,
ton. Ancient foes, these nations, but their chill
dren buried the Ratchet that they might further
the cause of their allied country, and now they
are honored together for their devotion Their
warpath ended in everlasting peace. They, too,
take part in that colorful parade of the fight
ing race following their fathers and GRANDPA
theirs on the misty warpath through the land
of Great Mystery. And with them we see an
other Sioux whose story is simply given in a
newspaper account from Mandan, N. D., dated
June 16, 1928:
"Joe Young Hawk, son Of Young Hawk one
of the most famous of the old Indian scouts Of
Gen. George Custer, lost a four-year battle
for life after he had been wounded and gassed
while serving with the colors in France He
died at Bismarck N. D.. recently. The
wounds which contributed to Young Hawks
death were suffered on the scissors front when
he surrounded by five Germans and cap
tured while on patrol duty. Awaiting favor
able moment, Young Hawk turned on his cap
tors, slew three with his hands, captured the
other two and although himself shot through
both legs in the fight MARCHED them into camp
Young Hawk refused to discuss the fight with
the Germans after his return other than to
say that he broke their backs over his knee"
There is something strange and little pa
thetic in the thought of American Indian SOL
diers, so far from all they had ever known, en-
during hardships, danger, and death (for over
200 bring up the rear of that glorious parade
in the Happy Hunting Grounds). with that adj
mirable stoicism for which they are famous.
One important service which they rendered
listening-post work, was unique. Those speak
ing the same tribal language were placed at OBJ
posite ends of the line to receive and deliver or
ders, and here, exposed to the fury of the ele-
ments and the vigilance of the enemy they con-
versed In their own tongue. No wonder the
enemy was bewidered to hear these men of
another race isolated as completely as If on an
other planet, speaking in a language developed
from the heart of America language express
ing thoughts which no white man can UNDER
stand. We wonder If sometimes, one said to
the other, at would be pleasant to be at
home" and If the other answered, "Our brenda
(magic power) is strong. We shall return to
our people" And we may imagine their silent
amusement at times for Indians enjoy joke
at the thought of their puzzled and frustrated
enemy listeners.
While it was not necessary for Indian women
to take up arms in the World war. II of them
served as nurses in the camps and overseas
and no one doubts that Bicaganabs courage
was also theirs, had 1t been needed.
Today. as Old Glory floats serenely In the
sunlight over a deserted warpath. Neewagon's
words come back to us. Seventeen thousand
fighting Indians have proved them true:
The Indian is the friend of the American
He has but one flag and one heart: If Won take
the one you shall take the other"
&c by Western Newspaper Union,