RED TOMAHAWK'S GOOD WILL TOUR MEETS WITH SUCCESS
Red Tomahawk, the famous Sioux Indian, who lives at Cannon Ball, is meeting with a wonderful reception on his good will trip to Washington and other eastern points. The press of the country is carrying notices of his trip in every issue. Under date of June 20th, the AP ran the following:
Washington. - Chief Red Tomahawk of the Sioux tribe of Indians in North Dakota was in the capital today to make big whoopee with Chief General C. P. Summerall of the army general staff in return for the visit the general paid Red Tomahawk last year.
He will also pay his respects to Big Chief President Hoover at the White House and to that other noted Indian chief, Vice President Charles Curtis.
Red Tomahawk, who is more than 80 years old, is noted among his tribe for being the man who killed Sitting Bull and speaks only the Indian language. He will be put up as General Summerall's guest at one of the capital's big teepee, the Carlton hotel, and will be escorted about on his travels in the city by Lieutenant George G. Forster, aid to General Summerall. Red Tomahawk will remain in the capital until Saturday.
Also in the 21st we find:
Washington - Attired in full regalia, Chief Red Tomahawk of the Sioux Indians, today paid a courtesy call on President Hoover and presented him with a handsome beaded leather tobacco pouch.
The old chieftain, now 79 of age, was presented by Senators Frazier and Nye, Republicans of North Dakota. Red Tomahawk, who engaged in many of the Indian wars in the latter half of the Nineteenth century, is credited by many historians with having killed Sitting Bull, who led the Indians against General Custer, in his famous last fight.
The chief Saturday plans to visit the tomb of the Unknown Soldier to pay respects in accord with Indian custom.
General Charles P. Summerall, army chief of staff, gave luncheon today in honor of the chief. General Summerall is an honorary member of the Sioux tribe, which lives at Fort Yates, N.D., and has the Indian title of High Star.
The St. Paul Dispatch carried the following editorial on Monday:
Red Tomahawk, a Sioux Indian chief from North Dakota who killed Sitting Bull at the latter's camp on the Grande River, December 15, 1890, is visiting Washington. Last year he was host to Charles P. Summerall of the army general staff. Now the aged chief pays a return call to the white chief.
It is hard to tell whether the people of Washington or Red Tomahawk are getting the greater novelty out of the visit. Curosity to see the tall Indian who, for all his eighty years, bears himself erect, seems to outdo any manifestations of surprise or inquisitiveness on the part of the Sioux warrior.
Washington has seen many war heroes but it has seen few with the record of Red Tomahawk. As sergeant of Indian police with forty men he made a forced march to Sitting Bull's camp and faced 150 armed braves to arrest their chief. Sitting Bull resisted and called on his men to fight, with the result that Sergeant shot the chief and when the fray ended, Sitting Bull, his son and six others were dead. The skirmish broke the back of a long planned Indian uprising and deprived it of its most forceful and resourceful leader. The history of the swift progress of the two Dakotas may be dated from that event, less than 40 years ago.
Red Tomahawk's trip is adding glory to Fort Yates and Sioux County. In all of the news items Fort Yates is mentioned and with the splendid impression the distinguished Indian is making, our historic home is gaining very favorable advertising. In fact, Sioux County as a whole is to be congratulated that it has Fort Yates within its borders. But above all, Red Tomahawk is making friends for the Indians. That such a fine up-standing character comes from their county is complimentary to the entire Sioux nation. The favorable publicity gained through him, is of inestimable benefit to his people, and should be taken advantage of to their future welfare.
We have not seen mention of his interpreter, Francis Zahn, but we are
sure that he is gaining much from the trip and will have a glowing account
of it on his return.