Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-03-22

Doodle, which had become one of his
accomplishments.
Finally arriving at Fort Union
Wijunjon was greeted by the members
of his tribe, who gazed with some awe
at his new costume. A council of the
tribe was held and he began the simple
narration of scenes he had passed
through and Of things he had beheld
among the whites. These were con-
sidered so improbable that the tribe
refused to believe anything he said.
For a time he sank rapidly In dis
grace in the tribe. His claims to po-
litical eminence among the Indians
vanished; he was reputed to be worth
less, the greatest liar Of the nation.
The chiefs Stunned him and passed
him by. Nevertheless the ears OF the
gossiping portion of the tribe were
open, and the campfire circle and the
lodge fire gave audience TO his IaleS.
The next day after he arrived among
his friends the superfluous part Of his
coat-the tail-was converted into a
pair of leggings for his principal squaw,
and his hatband of silver lace fur
nished her a magnificent pair Of silver
carriers. The remainder Of the coat was
soon seen buttoned about the Shout
ders of his brother, and Wijunjon was
parading about among his gaping
friends with a bow and culver sling
over his shoulders, wearing his linen
shirt with studs and sleeve buttons.
His broadsword kept its place, but
about noon his boots gave way to
moccasins. Under his arm he carried
a small keg Of whisky, which he had
brought the whole way from wash
ington.
Squaw Takes Braces
The following day one Of his squaws
fixed her eyes on his beautiful SIX
suspenders, and he lost those forth
with. Soon his white shirt lost most
of its length, his trousers became mere
leggings and the remainder Of his
trappings had vanished. He still re-
tanned alone his umbrella, the only
remaining evidence Of his greatness.
In a few days he returned entirely
to his Indian costume and began TO
repeat to his people again In honest
and simple narrative the things he
had seen. He told IN detail the won
ders of the towns and cities, the huge
warships, the great bridges, the won
derful council house at Washington.
He was listened TO- and gradually he
began to acquire another kind Of q
reputation than he had enjoyed be-
lOIe. he Wn5 uaQlCQ y UlCQACllc u4h4A
but one far above the ordinary sort
of human being, whose mind could
contIre I'D for their amusement such
an Ingenious fabrication Of novelty and
wonder. He steadily and unostenta-
tiously persisted In telling his stories.
Finally the chiefs accepted him as
q medicine man, but only because they
thought him such an extraordinary
liar that they considered him super
natural At last his medicine became
so alarmingly great that they decided
it was no longer safe TO have him
alive.
Truth Proves Fatal
But they did not believe that an
ordinary bullet would kill him, so one
young man Of the tribe took 1t upon
himself to find way Of taking his
life. After considerable thought, he
stole the iron handle Of a large kettle
at the trading post, and this he filed
and Strengthened until 1t would lit the
barrel Of his gun. Having loaded the
weapon he waited a favorable chance
and shot Wijunjon from behind. the
bolt going right through his head
Thus ended the career OF Wiiunton,
the Pigeons Egg Head, valiant war
rior Of the Assinniboines, who trav-
eled 5000 miles 10 see the president
and all the great cities Of the civilized
world; and who for telling the truth, !
end nothing but the truth, was killed
r his own people for q wizard.