(21) As late as 1874, North Platte, Nebraska, was a popular trading point for Sioux Indians, since for many years the Republican River and Medicine Creek had been their favorite winter camps. Buffaloes roamed the surrounding prairies in great numbers and, as jerked or dried buffalo meat constituted the chief staple of the Indian's diet, made the locality especially desirable. Wild turkeys, deer, elk, and antelope also were abundant, while the banks of the creeks and rivers were well wooded, and furnished a supply of fuel far in excess of the Indians' needs. Good running water was likewise close at hand and thus, protected from wind and storm by the draws and canyons surrounding them, with all the facilities favorable to the nomadic life, the Indians found the environment ideal.

     Horses also found good shelter in the region--herded, of course, to keep them from straying. They were in large numbers, the ordinary Indian having from five to one hundred head, and sometimes even more--a good deal depending on the brave's luck, with no questions asked. All Sioux men were expert horsemen, riding without saddle or bridle, but occasionally, if a horse was hard to guide, with a rope halter; and many of the stunts of present-day rodeos were handed down as the heritage of Indian horsemanship.

     It was the duty of an Indian to provide food for his family and to this end the braves hunted in parties, making a distribution of their kill at the end of the hunt. There was usually plenty to go around, and discord in the division was practically unknown. The (22) communal kill would be brought to camp packed over the horses' backs (there were no wagons in those days). After being skinned the hides were dried or tanned, depending on the quality, and later brought to town in packs for trade at the stores.

     Indian squaws were worked hard. It was their duty to carry wood and water--very often with their papooses strapped to their backs--and, indeed, whatever work there was to do around camp was recognized as the squaw's duty. An Indian would be degraded and driven out of camp if he attempted to do menial work, such as assisting his squaw with her drudgery.

     To provide winter food, after killing and skinning, the carcasses of deer, elk, or buffalo were cut in medium-sized chunks, salted to suit the taste, and then tied to a rope suspended between poles in the open air, where they remained long enough to dry thoroughly. In time, the outside of these chunks became so hard as to be almost impervious to water, but beneath the outer crust the moisture and seasoning remained, and most appetizing it was, too; for cured in that way the raw taste of the meat was eliminated.

     It was the approved custom in those days to have in every grocery store a chunk of dried buffalo meat conveniently displayed on the counter, so that all comers might have the privilege of using their jack-knives to test the quality and flavor of the meat and even to remain with it long enough to satisfy their taste.

     On one occasion Spotted Tail sent word that, having selected Foley and Senter's Store as an objective [the firm is long out of business], he was coming in with a trading party. To make ready for his visit, everything was removed from the center of the store, and arrangements were completed for his entertainment. Huge (23) boilers of coffee were procured from the Railroad House then conducted by Keith and Barton; boxes were piled high with sweet cream crackers, thirty pounds to the box; and heaping pails of sugar were placed in readiness, together with quart tin cup and spoons to match.

     On entering the store the Indians greeted the spectators with the customary "How!"--the salutation of every tribe of Sioux--and, since all was in readiness, Spotted Tail gave a signal, and immediately squatted on the floor, his companions, fifty in all, following his example. The feast was on.

     An Indian loves sugar above all articles of food, and with that before them in abundance, together with a plentiful supply of square, half-inch sweet cream crackers, and more coffee in sight than they had ever seen before, the party kept dipping, eating, and replenishing until they were surfeited with food.

     The feast ended. Spotted Tail then passed the pipe of peace, each Indian taking a whiff until it went the rounds and was returned to Spotted Tail, whereupon he gave another signal and all arose. Coffee, empty cracker boxes, and what remained of the feast were set aside, the clerks made ready for business, and trading began.

     The procedure hardly ever varied. An Indian would approach with a robe and study all the articles on the shelves, on the line, or wherever displayed. Bright colors appealed to them most-especially red shawls, red calicoes, red flannels, and, red headgear. Anything in bright colors they scrutinized closely. If the brave wished to trade for calico he would stretch out his arms a number of times, indicating the quantity desired, and if the robe was a good one he would ask for sugar in addition. That wish being gratified, he might further demand coffee, or a shawl, or some more (24) expensive article. To this the clerk would say "No." Dickering then began in earnest, and usually there would be a compromise, the robe passing over the counter, and the Indian carrying his goods away.

     On one occasion a man on the street saw a beautifully tanned buffalo robe of a very dark color. These were the choicest hides, and this particular one was painted gorgeously on the reverse side. In those days such a robe was valued at $25.00. The Indian who owned it agreed to trade, and both entered the store, standing close to one another at the counter. The Indian made known his wants and the bill was found to amount to $10.00, which the man paid. Picking up his packages and starting for the door the brave happened to spy a red cotton parasol, marked to sell for 75 cents. Looking back at the man he said, "Swap?"--meaning that he would give up all his packages for the 75-cent parasol. The other agreed, and the Indian, opening his parasol, was filled with joy over his trade and walked proudly forth to display his treasure to his companions.

     Bright red shawls fascinated all Indian squaws; coffee and sugar were also favorite articles of trade. The Indians in transacting business were most artless. They had no idea of value and, relying on the honesty of the whites, were cheated on every occasion. A common expression in those days of trading was: "Why not? We are not here for our health"

     One who lived in the West, as late as 1869, can relate many instances in which the Indians were robbed by Government contractors, and citizens as well. When they went on the war path it was because they were incensed with whites who had wronged them. They had no right to fight the whites? Well, perhaps not. Neither had the Government any right to take their lands. Treaties were broken, but they were broken by (25) both sides, and, though the Government won out in the end, it won through a war of oppression, and even after peace was established, dishonest representatives at Government Agencies continued to grow wealthy by imposing on the credulity of their wards.

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