, but such as were already well established might be retained if
the owner so desired. Many such had been unwisely given to children by
teachers and missionaries, and in one family I found a George
Washington, a Daniel Webster, and a Patrick Henry! The task was quite
complicated and there were many doubts and suspicions to overcome, as
some feared lest it should be another trick to change the Indian's name
after he had been allotted, and so defraud him safely. During the seven
years spent in this work, I came upon many cases of inheritance frauds.
In the face of what appear to be iron-clad rules and endless red tape,
it is a problem how these things can happen without the knowledge of
responsible officials!

THE INDIAN AS HIS OWN ATTORNEY

Some years since an interesting case came up at Standing Rock Agency,
N.D., which illustrates the ability of the modern Indian to manage his
own affairs when he is permitted to do so. It was proposed to lease
nearly the whole reservation, the occupied as well as the unoccupied
portion, to two cattle companies, but in order to be legal, the consent
of the Indians was necessary. An effort was made to secure their
signatures, and interested parties had nearly the requisite two thirds
of them fooled, when a mixed blood by the name of Louis Primeau learned
of the game, and brought it to the attention of the people.

They made a strong and intelligent resistance, asked for a hearing in
Washington and sent on a delegation to present their case. Immediately
the agent got up a rival delegation of "good Indians," fed and clothed
for the occasion, to contradict the first and declare that the people
were willing to sign, all save the "kickers and trouble-makers."

My brother, the Rev. John Eastman, and I were in Washington at the time.
The Indian delegation who protested against the leases was given no show
at all before the Department, because it appeared that influential
Western Senators were upholding the interests of the cattle companies.
Primeau came to my brother for help; and we finally secured a hearing
before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

It happened to be a Democratic Senate, although a Republican President
was in office; and the head of that committee was Senator Stewart of
Nevada. Before him the braves fought their unequal battle to a finish.
They had their credentials and the minutes of the meeting at which they
had been elected, and they stated clearly their people'