Among the Sioux of Dakota; Eighteen Months Experience as an Indian Agent (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1881. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XX. WINTER HOW PASSED YOUNG INDIANS DREAMING OF SCALPS AND STEALING HORSES NO TASTE TOR FARMING. THE winter had been spent in listening to the complaints of the Indians upon nearly every subject connected with their manner of life; in looking after the stores for issue, Capt. Woodson, Acting Commissary, having been relieved and sent to other fields of "duty; in hearing complaints of white men who came to the agency from the white settlements in Nebraska, looking for stolen horses, as they said, but who had all the appearance of a class who are not averse to taking a hand at stealing an unprotected horse themselves; in hearing recitals of depredations by Indians against white men, and of white men against Indians, and endeavoring to adjust their differences; called upon frequently to attend a night council in an unfrequented lodge, gotten up by some scheming warrior who had an enterprise on foot, which, should he succeed in having it carried out, might add to his importance when brought before the general public. The northern spring was welcomed with more than usual delight, affording, as it did, an opportunity to escape indoor work, and to visit the fields, which, theoretically, were to bud and blossom under the cultivation of the Indians. The interest taken in agriculture by the chiefs was, as heretofore explained, a minus quantity, but then others, not holding exalted positions, might be induced to go into the fields if a proper example were shown them, and commence the long road marked out for their advancement. Great efforts were made, with the limited appliances at hand, to rebuild the fence destroyed by the squaws in the winter. All the work oxen that had not been maliciously killed were yoked to ploughs to break up new ground; horses were...