CARLISLE INDIAN SCHOOL
CHAPTER XXXVIII. TWO STORIES. UNWISE PURCHASES
Some one should write a book devoted to stories of Indian heroism, the fulfilment of promises and kindred subjects. There is much material of this character available on many of our reservations. I do not mean folk-lore, or traditions, but stories of actual happenings, most of which are quite unknown to the average white citizen.
During the White Earth investigation in Minnesota, I frequently joined a group of Indians and through interpreters, Mr. John Lufkins, or Mrs. Rose Ellis, persuaded the old men and women to relate some of their experiences. The first story, that of Ojibwa, was told by a man bearing the same name as the tribe. He was a famous warrior, noted for his bravery in action against the Sioux. His friend, No-de-na-qua-um (the Temperance Chief), also a famous warrior, had been shot through the right lung, and proudly exhibited to us the scars in his chest and back.
The story of Ojibwa is presented as taken down at the time, without explanations or additions, being a literal translation.
Ojibwa’s Story
“When I was young, long ago, there were three Sioux who went into a home and assaulted a white woman, near Fort Snelling. The white woman screamed, and her husband ran up, took one of the three guns left outside the door by the Indians, shot one of the Indians, and the other two killed the white man. During this summer the soldiers tried to get the two Sioux who did this and could not find them.
“About a year afterwards, while at war, I killed a Sioux myself, and about the middle of the winter when we were camping at Little Rock Lake we heard that the soldiers were coming. The soldiers came and sent for Hole-in-the-Day, who was head chief. After he had been with them a little while the soldiers sent for me. I went over and found them eating dinner. As soon as I was there, they told me to eat, which I did. The Captain sat near me. The Captain said, ‘Did you kill the Sioux?’ and I replied, ‘I am the man.’ Then he asked me how I killed him, and I said I used my gun.
“He said, ‘What did you put in your gun?’ I told him, ‘I put in powder and bullet. Then I shot him and scalped him.’
“Then the Captain said, ‘I am sent to come after you.’ I said, ‘I will go along with you.’ He said, ‘Have you made up your mind fully to go along with me?’ I again said, ‘Yes.’