The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1935-08-23
CROW TRIBE WAS
TREATY LOVING
BAPTIST MISSIONARY RELATES
HOW THEY BECAME AGRICUL-
TURAL MINDED YEARS AGO

The term treaty loving" as applied
to the Crow Indian tribe was a term
of reprOach among the Sioux; but
from his earliest contacts with the
alien white man, the Crow Indians
were an honorable, promise regarding
people. The census of the Crow tribe
taken by John w. Powell in the fall
of 1868 credited the tribe with $50
men, 745 women, 349 boys and 349
girls.
The story has been told over and
not by the Indians but by the white
men party to their agreement: of land
given them, to be taken away at will,
when it showed unexpected value, either
in mineral wealth or agricultural pos
siblities.
The treaty proclaimed Feb 6, 1926, to
perpetuate friendship between the Crow
Indians and the United States govern
ment was negotiated by Brigadier-Gen-
eral Henry Atkinson. U. S. A., and
Major Benjamin OFallon, Indian
agent. The treaty OF Fort Laramie, AZ
years later made by General Sherman
and his associate Indian commissioners
with Che-ra-pee-ish-k and Cha
sta-He reserved to the Crows certain
territories which were almost immed-
lately restricted, bit by bit, then by en-
ormous acreage.
According to the Rev. William A.
Petzold. who with his wife went to
Lodge Grass, Big Horn county, to take
charge of the Baptist school in 1908,
he found 1000 Crow Indians sunk in
apathy more or less resentful under
their apparent resignation holding on
to some of the least valuable OF tribal
customs, a defeated race. The Petzolds
went to Lodge Grass in response to the
Crows request for a christian teacher.
In quarter Of a century with the Crow
Indians they learned to understand, to
respect and to admire Indian character
istics. They find the Crows loyal. hon.
orable, and markedly generous. When
an Indian gives he gives of his best.
His idea Of a gift may not coincide with
a white mans but he gives what he,
the giver, prizes. and the offer comes
from the heart. So far as Indian
giver" being an appelation correct in
its usually accepted sense. it might
more truthfully characterize the way
the United States government has given
to the Indian. Indian giver-one who
takes back what he has bestowed. Moth
ing, says Mr.. Petzoldt. could be further
from the truth so far as an Indians
attitude is concerned. He may give I'M
der dureSs and take back at the first
what has been forced from
him; but what he gives of his free will,
never.
In the term of their service with the
Crow Indians the Petzoldts saw them
developing sense of agriculture; farm
houses took the place of tepees. How
ever, much the old Indians might re-
greet the old life, they knew that it was
gone. 1t could never come again. They
had to make terms with civilization as
the white man sees it, and either con-
form as best they might or be wiped
out. Wise counsel was to conform, to
keep what they could of the valuable
side of Indian culture, to sacrifice what !
they must. Their profound sympathy
with the Indians problems, their will
ingness to learn, to be patient until
they understood, gave Mr.. Petzoldt and
his wife, who was co-pastor with him,
an ultimate hold on their charges; and
eventually gave them authority not only
with the Indians but with officials in
The Indian service, who often knew but
little about actual conditions or Indian
psychology.
The Baptist church which they served
was never among the widely REPRESENT
ed denominations of Montana. Two
Baptist churches we're established in
1928, in Butte and Helena; and mis-
,ions stemmed from these. But several
years later there were but three min
sters and 200 Baptist communicates.
Partly the rivalry between Northern
md Southern Methodists brought vgor
% the growth Of that denomination,
which most nearly resembles the Bap-
list discipline. But the work of Baptist
was faithful and Jealous,
none the less, and where the work Of
Baptist pastors reached the level Of de-
7otion shown by Mr. and Mrs. Petzold.
he service to Indian disciples was Of
permanent worth.