Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-12-02

A. Miles. later general, against the
confederated Sioux and CheyenneS
under the daring leader, Crazy Horse
This engagement, fought near the
present site Of the Birney postoffice in
southeastern Montana, was character
lied by severely cold weather condi-
tons The thermometer registered "a
degrees below zero. Snow covered the
ground to the depth Of 2 feet.
The tide of battle turned In favor
of Miles forces when Captain Butler
led a victorious charge against Crazy
Horses band as the Indians thanked
I the white soldiers on the left and
rear. A horse was shot from under
| Captain Butler when he continued to
lead his men on foot.
| Miles. in his official report, recon-
mended the breveting Of Butler for
this successful charge against superior
numbers Of hostile Indians strongly
posted"
Essay Won Commentator
The essay which Captain Butler
wrote won for him high commenda-
ton. The board of award of the Mill
tary Service institution of the United
States, on the prize essay for 1880,
composed of George w. McCrary, as
sociate justice of the supreme court
Of the United States, the then secre-
tary Of war; Gen. Joseph e. Johnston,
house of representatives, and Brig
Gen. Alfred H. Terry of the United
States army, selected this essay from
the number submitted as one of three
especially meritorious," and pro-
nounced 1t, in their report, evidently
the fruit Of careful. thorough and ac-
curate historical research"
Included in the discussions appear
ing in the essay written by Captain
Butler is one relating to the medicine
man who 'wields a terrible influence
over the great mass of Indians"
In an excerpt preceding his comment
on the medicine man, Captain Butler
wrote that the institution of chieftain-
ship and the order of medicine men
were powerful obstacles to the civiliza-
ton of the Indian race. It was prob
able. he said, that the institution of
the craftsmanship at the time of the
writing of the essay was of compar-
atively recent origin The order of the
medicine men, he declared, seems to
have existed from time immemorial
Some Indian tribes declared they had
no chiefs before the white man came
to the American shores. Captain But
Ter said that the Sioux had a tradition
that their first chief was suggested by
the British.
The medicine man was armed with
kOWCI6 u bllE IUOSb dD-
palling description. He is the real ar
bitter of peace and war" he said. After
stating that the influence of the medi-
cine men was the principal cause OF
the Indian wars extending over many
years. Captain Butler wrote:
ITO this day, the warriors must stay
their arms until the medicine man de-
cides for war by pronouncing the
medicine good The medicine man has
f11fc oHuo ~ f1no rY.faf ff1nf
while the latter must wait for his sane
ton, he can raise a war party at any
time. He Is, therefore, a potent factor
in the problems Of Indian politics |
Like his own gods he can be placated |
by gifts His lodge Is generally kept |
full of meat. and he is used by ambi |
tious chiefs and young men to further |
Their. plans, for advancement, and
counterfeit those of their rivals.
1.-The medicine men are naturally
to schools for the Indian
children. Education and enlightenment
would put an end to their occupation.
The chiefs also are opposed to the
education and civilization of their
people. They know that the result is
sure to be the solution Of tribal unity,
Severalty Of possession of the land and
the. consequent destruction Of their
authority.
Lie LlADdl 5yotCLll - Tile DtolS VI oil
and its abrogation reduces
them from the position of leaders to
,he common level.
They will be found arrayed against
5he partition of the land, as they have
always opposed per capita payments of
annuitieS and commended for their pay
nent in gross to themselves as repre-
;entatives of their tribe"
At this point in the essay Captain
Butler turns to a discussion of a sit
lation which was prominent in the
public mind during the late seventies
md early eighties.
mo doubt" continues Captain But
er, there have been dishonest Off
.ials and greedy traders who have re-
.eived considerable portions of the
unds appropriated for Indian uses, but
he robes of their own people are far
rom spotless in such matters. 1t is
,nown that in cases where annuities
we're paid to the chiefs, not more than
o percent OF the amount received by
hem reached the profane vulgar OF
he tribe. Traders probably received a
rood portion Of the 80 percent, but as
he chiefs were the diSbJuSers, it Is
air to assume that they had the
Al 2 S