Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1932-09-22

Two Guns warm friend of Presi-
White Calf dent Roosevelt, and Ii
was during 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 n wistful figure as the son of
the last great chief, living In the glo-
ries of the past. But Two Guns Is a
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 d unique life, for mn Indian.
and no doubt he will continue to do SO.
In 1912, a group Of Indians. of which
Two Guns was one. went East. The
striking appearance of the chief at
tracted instant attention, and his I'M
usual mental qualities brought him to
the fore as a man we'll worth featur-
ing. The band was quartered in tlpis
ON the roof of a New York hotel, then
the highest hotel building In the world,
and crowds poured UP to see the pic
tnresque folk and their especially pic
turesque leader, who was as much at
home on the skyscraper roof MS he was
In his own camp by the peaceful lake
Two Guns was the first Indian to 60
ND in plane. During this eastern
trip. he was taken up In hydronlane
Mt Dodd's 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? | doubt
it more probably. they nodded their
ghostly heads In approval, and said,
"He is our own brave son--a true
BlackfootT
Queen Marie of Rumania, 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, swar-honnets, and pinto
ponies. II Is not recorded that Two
| Guns lacked one whit of the nolse OF
his queenly guest.
September II. 1927. found this most
sophisticated Indian at the White
House. The Great White Father. Pres
ident Coolidge, and the great red
chief, Two Guns. met as leaders OF
their people should meet-ceremonial-
| ~ 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 &c
meet people, and to be in large gath
erings, and he naturally dominates any
crowd.
i 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-hllinG
sight. His good-nature does not dis
guise the strength of character which
one feels is his chief attribute.
Examine buffalo nickel, and com
pare it with the photograph. While
the Indian head shown on the coin Is s
composite picture, the likeness to Two
Guns Is apparent. lie might have
been the "invlsible model' for the heat
evidently he stood out strikingly IL
the artists mind.
And it is fitting that Two Guns like
ness should adorn the coin. The OH
order has changed and only a mod
j ern Indian, alive to the interests Of tn,
modern world would represent TIN
, first families of America at the pres
J ent day. He represents the new In
, dian, who Is taking his place in TIL
sun, alert to the opportunities aroun'
him. ambitious and successful.
, 10. 1899. Western Newspaper union)