Council with the Crows

WHITE- ARM

A Council with the Crows

BY E. E. CHIVERS, D.D.

••• -Sv

H E hour was about two in the morning of June 8, 1903,
‘ ‘ " when a company of seven alighted from a Burlington

and Missouri train at a lonely way station in Montana.
On the platform, awaiting their arrival, was a group of
Indians, their stalwart forms and dusky faces dimly
visible in the light of their lanterns. The scene, in its
shifting setting of light and shadow, had in it an element
of weirdness, and there was just a suggestion of an un-
canny feeling when the travelers surrendered themselves and their
baggage to their strange convoy. Across the fields, with here and
there a barbed wire fence or an irrigating ditch, our guides led the way,
until they came to an encampment, where a large tepee had been
erected for the guests. With little ceremony blankets were spread on
the ground, and the tired travelers, using their coats as pillows, and
drawing their blankets around them, sought a brief rest in sleep.

The visitors, who accompanied the Field Secretary as representa-
tives of the American Baptist Home Mission Society, were: C. A.
Wooddy, D.D., General Superintendent of Missions for the Pacific
Coast Division ; Rev. Bruce Kinney, General Missionaryfor Wyoming
and Utah; Rev. W. A. Petzoldt, Pastor of the First Baptist Church,
Sheridan. Wyo. With them was Mr. Herbert A. Coffeenof Sheridan,
Wyo., a warm friend of the Indians, with an artist from California,
and a stenographer. Their hosts were members of the Crow tribe of
Indians. The meeting-place was Lodge Grass, an Indian encampment,
and the object of the visit a conference as to the possible establishment
there of a mission.

1

The sleep of the visitors was fitful and broken. The bed was
hard; surroundings were strange; imagination was busy picturing scenes
of the coming day. Before the first gray tints of dawn had deepened
into day, all were gathered in the chill air around a fire of sticks, watch-
ing the brewing of a pot of savory coffee. An Indian, with blanket
wrapped closely about him, stole noiselessly, from his nearby dwelling,
towards the neighboring creek for a morning plunge. An old squaw,
with wrinkled, un-
washed face, and un-
kempt hair, came for-
ward to supervise the
brewing of the coffee.

Other Indians, at-
tracted by the aroma,
and by the prospect of
a meal, soon joined the
company. The guests
played the part of
hosts, and dispensed
with liberal hand the
supply of food which
they had brought with
them. It was not altogether an unselfish impulse which prompted
them. They knew-, indeed, that “ it is more blessed to give than to
receive. ” They knew also that it is not always palatable to receive.

LODGE GRASS CREEK

First.

Impres

sions

As soon as breakfast was disposed of, our party started
in wagons on a tour of inspection, halting at several
encampments, forming acquaintance with the Indians, visit-
ing them in their tepees, and receiving first impressions of

<>

f

their life and manners and customs. Physically, many
of the men are fine specimens of manhood, of rather
more than medium height, well-built, broad-shouldered.
The faces of many, how-
ever, indicate the ravages
of disease — the sad herit-
age of contact with de-
generate white men in
earlier days. The younger
women are by no means
'unattractive in appear-
ance, but with advancing
years become shapeless
in form, slovenly in attire,
and dirty in person. A peep into some of their
tepees, with dirty blankets and greasy pillows
strewn upon the ground, and dirtier occupants
stretched upon them, quite prepared us for state-
ments afterwards made as to the personal habits
of the people. A visit during the preparation or
the eating of a meal would hardly be a good ap-
petizer. They are inveterate flesh-eaters, and are
not at all particular as to cooking. Raw meat
suits their taste as well as “rare” or “well-
done.” Portions which a more cultivated
taste discards are regarded by them as dainty
morsels. They are said to have “a packing-
plant” appetite which allows little of a carcass
to go to waste.

a

As to morals, their con-
dition is deplorable.
Moral While they are

Laxit>y honest and good-

natured, and are
not given to brawling or
drunkenness, yet immorality,
in some of its worst forms, is
common and open. Until
recently there was no mar-
riage ceremony; men took
and exchanged wives at will.
It is no uncommon thing to
find Grows who have had,
at different times, five or six
wives. With this laxity in
the marriage relation comes,
as a consequence, a general
deterioration of morals. These people stand, therefore, on the lower
rungs of the ladder of civilization and morality and religion.

They number, according to a recent report of the Commissioner for
Indian affairs, 1911. They occupy a reservation cover-
ing an area of about 75 miles square, situated in Mon-
tana, just north of the Wyoming border, and beginning
at a point due north of Sheridan. The Government
has an agency near the famous and ill-fated Custer
battle-ground, and a sub-agency at Pryor on the western border of the
reservation. At the former are the government schools, with an enroll-
ment of 165 Crow pupils, who there receive the rudiments of an indus-
trial as well as a literary training. There is a Roman Catholic mission
school at St. Xavier. Some idea of the extent to which the civilizing
influences of the government agencies have affected the people may be
gathered from the fact that 250 Crow families are living upon and culti-
vating lands allotted to them ; that over 6,000 acres are under cultiva-

Locatiion

and

Numbers

4

tion, and products to the amount of $67,000 worth were disposed of in a
year; that 260 dwelling-houses are occupied by them; that over 600
have adopted citizen’s dress, and double that number in part; that
about 400 can understand and use English for ordinary conversation.

These are encouraging features, yet withal the moral and religious
condition of these people is deplorable. They are still pagan in their
beliefs and practices. They walk in darkness, with no light other than
the dim light of nature, and even from that their eyes and their hearts
are in large measure holden by reason of sin. The Roman Catholic
mission has almost utterly failed to lead the people to a better life or to
worthier ideals. Throughout this large reservation there is no one to
teach these scattered and wandering ones the “Jesus road.”

A year or more ago a petition was sent by the representatives of
this people at Lodge Grass to our American Baptist Home Mission
Society, asking for a missionary teacher. About thirty chiefs and lead-
ing men touched the pen over against their names, in token of their
desire. The visit of the Field Secretary and others to Lodge Grass

5

was made for the purpose of conference with the petitioners. Arrange-
ments were made for a council to be held on the ranch of White Arm,
one of their leading men.

At the appointed hour Medicine Crow, the chief of the tribe, with
White Arm, Wolf Lies Down, Grey Bull, Shows the Fish, Scolds the
Bear, Old Bear, One Goose, One Star, Bull Goes Hunt-
The ing and other braves came together, with braided hairand

Council painted faces and eagle feathers, arrayed in buckskin coats
trimmed with ermine and beadwork and elk’s teeth and
other ornaments, and seated themselves in a semi-circle on the grass.
Opposite them, in commoner garb, were younger men of the tribe, while
a few squaws gathered outside the circle at a respectful distance. Chairs
were provided for the Home Mission party, and a table for the stenog-
rapher, who had come with them to record the proceedings.

After the pipe of peace had been passed around and smoked with
due solemnity, and a statement had been made by the Field Secretary
and his associates as to the object of the council, the conference began.
Each of the chiefs in turn stepped into the center of the circle, shook
hands with the visitors, and after a few moments of dignified silence
addressed first his own people and then the stranger-guests, giving his
views as to the desirability of a mission.

It was evident that the ruling desire of the Indians
Desire to obtain a school at Lodge Grass. Under existing

for a arrangements their children are taken at an early age to

School flis government schools at the agency, some twenty or

twenty-five miles away, or are placed in the Roman
Catholic school, equally distant. The opportunities of the parents to

6

see tlieir children are thus few. The girls are not allowed to return
until they are eighteen years of age. This is to safeguard them from
the risks to which they would be exposed by reason of prevalent im-
morality. Yet the system leaves the homes of the people without the
comfort and joy that come from the presence of the young folk.

These Indians love their children and crave their presence and
companionship. No one who has ever watched, as the writer watched,

an Indian mother array her little one in
all its finery for the taking of a photo-
graph, could fail to detect the signs of
mother-love and tenderness and pride.
There was the same lovelight in the
eye, the same gentleness in the touch,
the same tenderness in tone and accent,
as marks any other mother.

One after another the Indians said :
“We want our children at home with
us. Build us a school here at Lodge
Grass and send us a teacher,
and we will bring all our
children from the agenc>'
schools and the Roman
Catholic schools, and let
you take care of them.”

It was somewhat diffi-
cult to make them under-
stand that the first business
of our Society is the preach-
t..^sT wAf5 cHiEK OK THE CROWS ing of tlie Gospel, aod that

it would not be possible for us to assume full charge of the education
of their children. As a compromise it was suggested that we might
send among them a teacher as well as a missionary, who might in-
struct the younger children in a day school until it became wise or
necessary to send them to the agency school. This would keep them
at home for several years longer than under the present system, and
would bring the uplifting influences of the school to bear directly and
daily upon the home.

The weak point in the present plan is that it puts a gulf between
the home and the school. The boy comes back to a comparatively un-
changed home. The girl, grown into womanhood amid
A Weak changed surroundings, comes back either to relapse into
Point former conditions or to lead a life of unhappy isolation.

A combination of the work of a missionary and a teacher
with that of a matron, who should aim to introduce into tent and home
the rudiments of civilized life, would seem to be most desirable.

It was interesting to follow the discussion. E\en as it came to us
filtered through an interpreter it indicated mental grasp and shrewdness.

Some were unwilling to accept any half-way measures.
Clever and wanted all or nothing. To break the force of their
Debate opposition the question was put: “Suppose one of you
were very hungry, so hungry that it would take a whole
loaf of bread to satisfy your hunger, and a big piece of meat too ; and
there was only a little bread and a little bit of meat, would you go
hungry or would you take the little? “ At this there was a chorus of
grunts, “ugh.” “ugh,” from the older men, who were quick to seethe
point and glad to ha\'e the opposition silenced.

Others feared that the coming of a missionary would impose un-

8

For five hours or more the speech-making
went on, with marked division of opinion. At
times tlie older men looked grave and troubled.
They were evidently anxious to send a united
message to the “big chiefs” in New York. They
said that the younger men were foolish, but
would know more by and by. The first session
of the council closed without agreement, and
arrangement was made for a second meeting.
At the breaking up of the first session. Medicine
Crow, chief of the tribe, and Wolf Lies Down, a
prominent leader, wishing to show their visitor
from New York some token of appreciation and
respect, stooped down, untied their beaded
moccasins, and handing them to him, walked
home barefoot before their people.

welcome restraint, and put an end to their games and dances. They
in turn were reminded that if a missionary came, he would come not as
a policeman to take them by the collar and say, “You must! ” but as a
friend and brother who wanted to help them to a better, sweeter, purer,
stronger life. Surely they wanted to know and
to do what was best for their nation ! This again
was greeted with a chorus of grunts. From each
of the chiefscame a deep guttural “ugh,” “ugh”
of assent, while over their stolid faces passed a
smile of satisfaction at the discomfiture of the
opposition.

ELK' TEETH ORNAMENT

The second session of the council, held in the house of White Arm,
lasted until after midnight, but closed without full agreement. On the

9

following day, however, there was a great scurrying to and fro through
the encampment, and a message was sent asking that
Reaching the missionary and teacher be sent without delay, and

Agree- pledging to help in every possible way, even though

ment. they could have only a little school. They begged the

Secretary, however, to see the “Great Father” in
Washington, and plead with him that they might have their children
all the time.

The Indian agent, who was consulted, expressed his hearty ap-
proval of the plans suggested, and his earnest hope that a mission and
school might be established at Lodge Grass, which he
A Good regarded as the most desirable location. Fully 5c»

Location Crows are within eas\' reach of this station. The Indians

expressed their readiness to assist in the erection of a
mission house, and the Government agent thought there would be no
difficulty in securing an allotment of land for the purpose.

The field is certainly a needy one. The condition of the people is
itself an eloquent appeal for Christian help. The call is as loud as any
that comes to us from heathen Africa. The work will
A Needy call for a true missionary consecration, for heroic self-
People sacrifice, and for brave patience, but faith and love, labor
and prayer will be sure of their reward. It is gratifying
to know that the cry of the needy has been heard and heeded. At its
meeting on September 14, 1903, the Executive Board of the Home
Mission Society authorized the establishment of a mission at as early a
date as practicable.

The project was scarcely authorized before steps were taken to
carry it into effect. Action was quickened by the fact that a missionary

10

offered himself for service. When the King calls and the providence
of God points the way, there are always loyal servants
Rapid ready to follow. Rev. W. A. Petzoldt, pastor of the

Progress First Baptist Church, Sheridan, Wyo., whose heart has

been drawn towards this people, and who has arranged
all the details of our visit, expressed his readiness and desire to take
up the work, and on November 9, 1903, was commissioned by the
Executive Board as our pioneer missionary to the Crow Indians, his
appointment to date from December i.

Promptly on that date he was on the ground. He conferred at
once with the Indian agent and the Government officer for the allotment
of lands, regarding a site for the mission. Allotment had proceeded so
far as to leave no very desirable site available. Fora time the difficulty
seemed serious, but it was happily removed by the generous act of
White Arm, who voluntarily relinquished 160 acres of his original
allotment, taking a similar grant elsewhere. Even a while man could
hardlv do heller • few indeed 'would do as 'well. This secures for the

II

mission an ideal site. Our missionary writes; “The natural lay of the
land, its picturesque array of shrubbery and trees, the background of
pine-clad hills are all that could be desired.” Fortunately “stone for
foundation, fire-place and surface work, and sand are on the place.”

“A colony of beavers,”
he adds, “is also close by
to spur us on by their good
example.” The beavers
will need to be on the
alert if they would keep
pace with such a wide-
awake, energetic leader
as Petzoldt.

Work on the mission
house was begun without
delay. Ten
Ati days after ar-

Work rival Mr. Pet-

zoldt writes:
“We have nineteen loads
of stone on the ground
already. Am planning a
trip to the mountains for
logs immediately after
Christmas, if the weather
permits.”

A little later his wife, with their two little ones, joined him. Where
could they find a home while the mission house was building? Here

14

again White Arm came to their relief and generously placed his house
at their disposal, moving out with his ovs n family, into a
White log shanty. A vigorous application of scrubbing brush and
Arm soap and water, with a liberal use of disinfectants, made
the house tenantable for the newcomers. It is a very
modest dwelling, primitive in its appointments and scant in its con-
veniences, but the generous, unselfish spirit of White Arm has made
it attractive. Surely, there is a way of approach to that man’s heart.
He is a pagan, but he is not without generous impulses. Who will
not pray that there may come back to him full measure of reward for
his generous doing? And who will say that the term “the noble red
man” is wholly undeserved I

Already our missionary is telling, through an interpreter, the story
of the Christ to this needy and neglected people. His previous ac-
quaintance with them, his faith in them, and their confi-
Wiiming dence in him, give him a point of vantage for the de-

His Way livery of his message. He is applying himself to the

acquisition of their language, that he may tell them in
their own tongue the wonderful works of God. As soon as the mission
house is completed, work will be begun on the chapel, which will serve
also as a school-house. Mr. Herbert Coffeen, a young business man of
Sheridan, and a friend of the Indians, who has been most desirous for
the establishment of this work, proposes to erect, without cost to the
Society, a Council House on the mission compound — a sort of Y. M. C.
A. room for the tribe in which the older as well as the younger men
may spend their spare hours, and in which the records of their folk lore
and early days may be made and preserved. The old Indian has no
written language, and his only records of past events are in legend form
and in pictographs (drawings on skins). The plans for the Council

l.T

House include the addition of annexes in whidi such picto^raphs, with
other pictures and relics of the tribe may be preserved.

Our first and main business is tlie preacliing of the gospel. For
this provision has been made. As soon as the schoolhouse is built we
shall need a teacher who will devote herself with loving
Our patience to the task of instructing the boys and girls. It is

Plans hoped tlrat the services of a field matron also may be secured.

With this force it will be possible to touch on all sides with
quickening, uplifting influences, the life of this needy tribe. Their
present condition is a reproach to our cic'ilization and our Christianitc’.
Their need is pitiful and urgent. Their attitude toward our Society
and our missionary is most kindly and hospitable. The present is our
hour of opportunity.

The new mission has had its baptism of sorrow. In the mission
compound to-day there is a new-made gra\-e in whicli lies the body of
our mission.iry's youngest child, Cedric, who fell a victim to pneumonia.

While the little one Lay sick, the Indians gathered
.around the lowly house with expressions of anxiety
and willingness to help. When the shadow fell they
stood within the circle of it in mute yet eloquent sym-
p.athy. Now that the body rests in tlie little gra\’e
they ask the privilege of erecting a monument to m.ark
the spot and tell their sorrow. How slight and super-
ficial, after all, are the differences of race and class and
culture that separate us as compared with the common
and deeper elements of the human — the man that is in all men! And
who can tell but that through tliis ministry of sorrow God is opening
the way for Iris servants into the hearts .and lives of the Crows?

le

What a Missionary Does

OPENING A NEW .VUSSION— VARIED WANTS
OF THE INDIANS— FROM DOCTORING TO
COFFIN-MAKING— A CHRIST, WAS TREE
AND INDIAN PRESENTS :: :: :: ::

;i|,ji'(C|lUJ|jlERE are two letters from ,V\r. Petzoldt,

who is exactly the ri^ht man in the
risht place, wide-awake, adaptable,
versatile, apt at winning; confidence.
He gives a glimpse into the work of
a real missionar\-.

LETTER 1
Camp Chivers, Wolf .Mountain,
Mon., Dec. 31.

E. E. Chivers. D.D.,

Field Secretary:

Dear Brother— By the
flickering light of an Indian camp
tire and within sound of the mur-
muring pines, 1 am dating my last ^

letter for the year 1903. The
Indians started from Lodge Grass
yesterday morning headed for the
Wolf .Mountain in keeping with
their promise to get out the logs for

IT

the missionary's house. Good initial profjress was made after we
got them lined out, and last night found us camped at Sioux Pass —
an old Indian landmark. Early this morning two parties were
made up to scour the countr\- in ad\ ance, select a good timber plot and
comfortable camping place.

The ride we took was an interesting one to me — precipitous moun-
tain climbing, superb scenic panorama, deer and grouse, old Indian
battle grounds, and plenty of crisp air. On our return it was decided
to move the camp several miles further on. Camp breaking was on
the beehive order, and Soon we were trailing out again. Some difficulty
was experienced in finding a suitable crossing place for the wagon in one
of the coulees and for a time .accidents seemed inevitable. Finally, the
crossing was made on the "switchback railway" order. We came to our
second camping pl.ace about sundown. With much merriment on the
part of the Indians squaws, the tents and tepees were put up r.apidly
and soon we were under shelter.

The camp was named "Camp Chicers." in honor of yourself.
Will write the details of the log-chopping and return later. The whole
camp is asleep as I \\ rite this. The coyotes are sounding out the de-
parture of the old \ ear. With best wishes for the New Year. 1 am.

Sincerely yours.

W. .A. PETZOLDT.

18

L()(J)ie Grass, Montana, Jan. 8, 1904. .

Dear Brother — Your communications received. I am some-
what tardy in sending in my report for December, but was unable to
get down from the mountains before today.

Since coming to our new field many things have claimed our time
and attention. The early part of the month was spent in getting out
stone for the found.ation for the mission.ary’s house. That foundation
is now Completed and ready for the carpenters. Enough stone for tlie
scliool-house foundation is also quarried. While the Indi.ans have been
good natured and v\ illing to do the hauling they promised, it has been
a difficult thing to manipulate them. They get around about noon and
3 o’cliKk is quitting time with them. They are anxious to do. but are
a little slow to see a situation and take hold accordingly. In time, and
with p.itience on our part, they will do better.

That the Indians generally intend to keep the missionary force
busy can be seen from the following list of requests that came to us in
December: To prescribe medicine, 6 cases; to go with party to Agency
Surgeon for an operation ; a request for Mrs. Petzoldt to assist at a
camp where there was sickness, asking about food for the sick, etc. ;
to advise regarding the erection of a saw mill (council); to make a coftin
and conduct a funeral service; to counsel with a father about the
m.irriage of his daughter and eventually to perform the marriage cere-

19

mony ; to advise with an Indian for whom a warrant for arrest had
been issued ; to attend two councils at wliich tribal matters were dis-
cussed; to mend furniture; to build a brick chimney in an Indian house;
to help an Indian build a log house; and many other things too numerous
to itemize. We have made a few visits on stormy days to the different
camps, have given food to the sick and in one case to a poor family.
Tlie Indians themselves have made over 150 visits to our home during
the month. They came for consultation and a “good talk” as they
called it. In many instances we had an opportunity to tell them the
story of the Cross.

Each Christmas the Indians have a
Christmas tree and a big dance. Imagine a lot
of painted, yelling, dancing Indians circling
.around a Christmas tree — for in these dances
they portray the old times in all the vivid
colors, and throw off e\'er\' \'estige of the
white maivs “ habitat. ” One of the eminent
Indian .artists, who has spent
many years on the different
reservations, said in viewing
.a Crow dance that for old-time
finery, war bonnets, feathered
and beaded trappings the
Crows have no equal among
the Indians of the Northwest.

You were remembered
at their Christmas gather-
ing and two presents were
handed me to forward to you.

20

One IS an old dance rattle from Medicine Crow. This is one of the best
ratdes I have seen and you are to be congratulated on its possession.
It IS made of buffalo hide sewed green over a ball of wet sand moulded
on a stick and wound around with buckskin string. When the skin
and sand dry the sand comes out and leaves the rattle as you see it.
It IS really a rare relic. The moccasins are from ‘‘Shows the Fish ’’

I was liberally remembered with presents of beaded u-ork. while AArs
Petzoldt was the recipient of a fine saddle pon\-.

Among themseK-es the>- gave teams of hor.ses, uagon loads of oats,
pomes, blankets and beaded work of all descriptions. Their custom of
giving presents is as follows: The Indians are ail seated in a large circle
appareled m full complement of gorgeous trappings. Two \„ung men
dancers arise to the chanting and beating of the tom-toms’ and dance
rapidly around the circle. This they do twice and with increa.sed speed
of movement and music they run up to the person selected and pull
them out into the circle. They are led between the two dancers before
the spectators and tmalK- motioned to a seat on a blanket which has
been spread before the chiefs. The dance crier nocc- comes forth and
announces in a loud voice the virtues of the “captive ” Then the
squaws bring forth their presents and pile them in a heap before the
one thus honored, the other Indians following their ex.imple until all
have given who desire to do so.

There have been plenty of difficulties in our labors at Lodge Grass
nev ertheless the outlook is very bright and I believe ue are enterini^
upon a glorious work. ^

OR. CHI\ RKS’

-MOCCASINS

OURw NEEDS

1. Five Thousand Dollars for the

erection and equipment of
huildinss, and for the support
of missionary and teacher.

2. A Teacher, consecrated and

tactful, who for the love of
souls and for Christ’s sake,
will volunteer for service on
one of the hard places of
“ the field. ”

3. Christian Hearts that will bear

this mission before God in
prayer, and will sustain it by
their sympathy and gifts.

"3 C

O

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