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his son; only to find that the little fellow had caught a fish so

large that it was pulling his canoe all over the lake。  〃Ugh;〃

exclaimed the father; 〃if a mere fish scares you so badly; I fear

you will never make a warrior!



It is told of him that when he was very small; the father once

brought home two bear cubs and gave them to him for pets。  The Boy

was feeding and getting acquainted with them outside his mother's

birch…bark teepee; when suddenly he was heard to yell for help。 

The two little bears had treed The Boy and were waltzing around the

tree。  His mother scared them off; but again the father laughed at

him for thinking that he could climb trees better than a bear。



The elder Hole…in…the…Day was a daring warrior and once

attacked and scalped a Sioux who was carrying his pelts to the

trading post; in full sight of his friends。  Of course he was

instantly pursued; and he leaped into a canoe which was lying near

by and crossed to an island in the Mississippi River near Fort

Snelling。  When almost surrounded by Sioux warriors; he left the

canoe and swam along the shore with only his nose above water; but

as they were about to head him off he landed and hid behind the

falling sheet of water known as Minnehaha Falls; thus saving his

life。



It often happens that one who offers his life freely will

after all die a natural death。  The elder Hole…in…the…Day so died

when The Boy was still a youth。  Like Philip of Massachusetts;

Chief Joseph the younger; and the brilliant Osceola; the mantle

fell gracefully upon his shoulders; and he wore it during a short

but eventful term of chieftainship。  It was his to see the end of

the original democracy on this continent。  The clouds were fast

thickening on the eastern horizon。  The day of individualism and

equity between man and man must yield to the terrific forces of

civilization; the mass play of materialism; the cupidity of

commerce with its twin brother politics。  Under such conditions the

younger Hole…in…the…Day undertook to guide his tribesmen。  At first

they were inclined to doubt the wisdom of so young a leader; but he

soon proved a ready student of his people's traditions; and yet;

like Spotted Tail and Little Crow; he adopted too willingly the

white man's politics。  He maintained the territory won from the

Sioux by his predecessors。  He negotiated treaties with the ability

of a born diplomat; with one exception; and that exception cost him

his life。



Like other able Indians who foresaw the inevitable downfall of

their race; he favored a gradual change of customs leading to

complete adoption of the white man's ways。  In order to accustom

the people to a new standard; he held that the chiefs must have

authority and must be given compensation for their services。  This

was a serious departure from the old rule but was tacitly accepted;

and in every treaty he made there was provision for himself in the

way of a land grant or a cash payment。  He early departed from the

old idea of joint ownership with the Lake Superior Ojibways;

because he foresaw that it would cause no end of trouble for the

Mississippi River branch of which he was then the recognized head。 

But there were difficulties to come with the Leech Lake and Red

Lake bands; who held aloof from his policy; and the question of

boundaries began to arise。



In the first treaty negotiated with the government by young

Hole…in…the…Day in 1855; a 〃surplus〃 was provided for the chiefs

aside from the regular per capita payment; and this surplus was to

be distributed in proportion to the number of Indians under each。 

Hole…in…the…Day had by far the largest enrollment; therefore he got

the lion's share of this fund。  Furthermore he received another sum

set apart for the use of the 〃head chief〃; and these things did not

look right to the tribe。  In the very next treaty he provided

himself with an annuity of one thousand dollars for twenty years;

beside a section of land near the village of Crow Wing; and the

government was induced to build him a good house upon this land。 

In his home he had many white servants and henchmen and really

lived like a lord。  He dressed well in native style with a touch

of civilized elegance; wearing coat and leggings of fine

broadcloth; linen shirt with collar; and; topping all; a handsome

black or blue blanket。  His moccasins were of the finest deerskin

and beautifully worked。  His long beautiful hair added much to his

personal appearance。  He was fond of entertaining and being

entertained and was a favorite both among army officers and

civilians。  He was especially popular with the ladies; and this

fact will appear later in the story。



At about this time; the United States government took it upon

itself to put an end to warfare between the Sioux and Ojibways。  A

peace meeting was arranged at Fort Snelling; with the United States

as mediator。  When the representatives of the two nations met at

this grand council; Hole…in…the…Day came as the head chief of his

people; and with the other chiefs appeared in considerable pomp and

dignity。  The wives of the government officials were eager for

admission to this unusual gathering; but when they arrived there

was hardly any space left except next to the Sioux chiefs; and the

white ladies soon crowded this space to overflowing。  One of the

Sioux remarked: 〃I thought this was to be a council of chiefs and

braves; but I see many women among us。〃  Thereupon the Ojibway

arose and spoke in his courtliest manner。  〃The Ojibway chiefs will

feel highly honored;〃 said he; 〃if the ladies will consent to sit

on our side。〃



Another sign of his alertness to gain favor among the whites

was seen in the fact that he took part in the territorial

campaigns; a most unusual thing for an Indian of that day。  Being

a man of means and influence; he was listened to with respect by

the scattered white settlers in his vicinity。  He would make a

political speech through an interpreter; but would occasionally

break loose in his broken English; and wind up with an invitation

to drink in the following words: 〃Chentimen; you Pemicans

(Republicans); come out and drink!〃



From 1855 to 1864 Hole…in…the…Day was a well…known figure in

Minnesota; and scarcely less so in Washington; for he visited the

capital quite often on tribal affairs。  As I have said before; he

was an unusually handsome man; and was not unresponsive to flattery

and the attentions of women。  At the time of this incident he was

perhaps thirty…five years old; but looked younger。  He had called

upon the President and was on his way back to his hotel; when he

happened to pass the Treasury building just as the clerks were

leaving for the day。  He was immediately surrounded by an

inquisitive throng。  Among them was a handsome young woman who

asked through the interpreter if the chief would consent to an

interview about his people; to aid her in a paper she had promised

to prepare。



Hole…in…the…Day replied: 〃If the beautiful lady is willing to

risk calling on the chief at his hotel; her request will be

granted。〃  The lady went; and the result was so sudden and strong

an attachment that both forgot all racial biases and differences of

language and custom。  She followed him as far as Minneapolis; and

there the chief advised her to remain; for he feared the jealousy

of some of his many wives。  She died there; soon after giving birth

to a son; who was brought up by a family named Woodbury; and some

fifteen years ago I met the young man in Washington and was taken

by him to call upon certain of his mother's relatives。



The ascendancy of Hole…in…the…Day was not gained entirely

through the consent of his people; but largely by government favor;

therefore there was strong suppressed resentment among his

associate chiefs; and the Red Lake and Leech Lake bands in fact

never acknowledged him as their head; while they suspected him of

making treaties which involved some of their land。  He was in

personal danger from this source; and his life was twice attempted;

but; though wounded; in each case he recovered。  His popularity

with Indian agents and officers lasted till the Republicans came

into power in the sixties and there was a new deal。  The chief no

longer received the favors and tips to which he was accustomed; in

fact he was in want of luxuries; and worse still; his pride was

hurt by neglect。  The new party had promised Christian treatment to

the Indians; but it appeared that they were greater grafters than

their predecessors; and unlike them kept everything for themselves;

allowing no perquisites to any Indian chief。



In his indignation at this treatment; Hole…in…the…Day began

exposing the frauds on his people; and so at a late day was

converted to their defense。  Perhaps he had not fully understood

the nature of graft until he was in a position to view it from the

outside。  After all; he was excusable

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