Glacier County chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1931-1940, 1940-08-09
By ELMO

mo thousand Sioux Indians sat
The prairie, facing toward the
ling sun. The horns of the cres-
formed by the throng left a
auard opening of perhaps 100
Is. Running Antelope, a Sioux
Iier and orator, sat at the ex-
ne end of the southern horn.
"A 10 him sat Long Soldier, and
N Red Horse, who divided with
nning Bear the authority during
ceremony. Around the crescent
people were seated with due
ard for rank from the place of
nor. the men sitting in front.
IDre Running Antelope was a
I'd stone 10 inches high, serving
d altar. Before the altar stood
Young men of the tribe. All had
carefully chosen. They were
n TO be truthful and of good moral
s:teT Led by young Crazy Walk
these young men were the pick
he Sioux nation.
Inning Antelope addressed the
"a eight upon the importance of
mission; he bespoke certain eau
they should observe since their
Ton and its results would be of
mount Importance to all the
oath was administered while the
ke sat in breathless silence. The
put away their pipes while Run
Bear prepared the sacred pipe
much elaboration for the final
nonial rite.
be scene was one that had been
sted for generations upon the
Is Of eastern Montana and neigh
"a states. This was to be the last
II would be enacted; never again
"a the ceremonies be observed by
Sioux as a part of the business Of
Last Tribal Buffalo Hunt
Be time was mid-June, 1882, and
Sioux were making their last great
y for the buffalo.
b. some years-ever since the Gus
battle on the Little Big Horn-the
b had been slowly gathering, some
b Voluntarily and often by the
y Of the United States cavalry.
q the reservations set apart for
b Standing Rock, in North Da-
b was one of the important Sioux
hcieS, and here were gathered many
F. he leaders who had been involved
| be Custer fight.
hines Mclaughlin, the agent. had
b to Standing Rock in 1881 to
y sullen, reSentful people who
b difficult to handle. Mclaughlin
had more than ordinary success
4 the Indians at Devils Lake agen-
| md he had been sent TO Standing
b TO placate the resentment that
tdered there. His sympathieS were
b the Indian in his difficult tran
b to the white mans road: he was
! in dealing with refraCtions OF
hey discipline, and the Indians at
hiding Rock soon learned he was
billy firm in maintaining their rights
their self-respect.
j. 1882 the vast herds Of buffalo
b all but gone. But early that sum-
! there was manifest a Surging I'M
Eess among the Indians at Stand
Rock. Through a miracle OF the
q. Spirit, they said. great herd
buffalo grazed not far from the
icy. No Indian had seen the herd,
hs.lnctively the Sioux knew they
n not far away. Pie, the buffalo.
! the Indians, finding himself near
extinction at the hands OF white
hunters, had sought out the Vi
1y Of the reservation that he might
his end fulfill his mission and die
provide walls for the tepee, robes
the couch. sinews for the bow, and
II for the store Of the Sons OF
Eodia.
Agent Suggests Big Hunt
cr the buffalo had ever filled the
'shouse Of all that the Sioux need
except for ponies to ride TO the
Il.
.cLaughlin knew he could trust the
tans. and he took the initiative in
costing one last great hunt. For
: there was great business about
agency. Guns were cleaned. Am
lition was issued by Mclaughlin.
and women were busy with prep
lions for the hunt and for the
,hering.
onies were surprised by the care
received, after the hardships OF
recent winter. Finery was brought
and the women Wed in the decora-
of the brave hunters OF their
les.
he vanguard Of the expedition left