Victory Ceremonies, Cannon Ball, Nov. 13, 1919. Welcoming Col A. B. Welch back from France after World War I.
This was to have been on Nov. 11th, Armistice Day, but was postponed on account of the new dance hall not yet being completed. Basil Two Bears had told me that the dance was to be in my honor and that the Committee invited me to be present. Accordingly I went down to the Cannon Ball, arriving there about 5 pm on the 13th. Went to the Trader’s, Underhill, where I had supper and engaged bed for the night. While at supper, an Indian came and said he had been sent to take me out to the dance. I finished eating and then started in a ‘bob’ sled with the box full of hay behind a span of fast, half-wild horses for the dance hall. The snow was splendid and we made some speed, the bells jingling merrily. As we swung up to the entrance of the...
Read MoreSioux War Mothers Meeting, Cannon Ball, Mid-Jan. 1921, Col. A. B. Welch invited. Re-living failures of the Government to live up to Treaty Obligations
Dakotah War Mothers at Standing Rock Agency. A letter by A. B. Welch to “Mrs. Jones,” dated January 26th, 1921: I have your welcome letter of recent date before me and, in answering it, I though that you would, no doubt, be interested in some recent news regarding our Dakotah War Mothers at Standing Rock Agency. I have just returned from a trip down there on their invitation to be present at a ‘function.’ This was in the nature of a ‘reception’ in honor of the representative of the Government, Mr. Kitch, of Fort Yates (Agent). The affair was held at a round dance hall, built on the reservation “where many roads come together place.” It is a well-built structure about 50 feet in diameter and here take place the dances and other ceremonies of the...
Read MoreVisit to a Dance near Cannon Ball, April 25, 1920. Col. A. B. Welch participates in the “Wounded Man’s” Dance
Col. A. B. Welch participates in the “Wounded Man’s” Dance ************************************** This evening I accompanied the members of the Mandan Indian Shriners to an Indian dance at the round hall near the Gun Sight Buttes. Arrived there about nine oclock; was met at the door and taken by Master of Ceremonies to the place of honor. After many hand shakes, I addressed them, and then dancing started. Many different dances were given, among them being War Dance; War Mothers; Wounded men’s dance; Coyote Dance; Rabbit Dance; side-step, etc. The treated us nicely and tried to make the strange men feel at home. Four old men beat the hand drums and sung a song of old times. War-women and men in single file danced in...
Read MoreSioux Tribal Memorial Day, Cannon Ball, May 29, 1920. Col. A. B. Welch hears the “Death Song” for the first time
A. B. Welch and twelve Sioux who served with him in France, 1918, were invited to this Ceremony ******************************************* Upon invitation of Rev.A.S.Tibbitts, Indian Churchman at the Cannon Ball Presbyterian, I went down to speak to the people on above date. Rode down with Howard Seaman, a stockman, by way of Solen, where we crossed the Cannon Ball upon the bridge, instead of the Van Solen Ranch where we would have to ford. Arrangements had been made for the occasion and I stayed that night at the Van Solen Ranch. Sam Kingran came for me at 9 am the next morning and I rode down to the church, about ten miles below the station at the Cannon Ball. It is a beautiful place. The church is situated upon a flat sort of a...
Read MoreReturned Sioux Soldiers Day, Solen, ND, July 2-5, 1920. Col. A. B. Welch observes treatment of old enemy, songs, games, medicine stone conversations
Red Tomahawk greets old enemies at the instigation of Col. Welch but the greeting has a biting quality to it: They had been enemies (Pawnees). He had fought them, himself. He thought they had not been very brave, that, if he had coughed in the night-time, they would have run away. *********************************************** I went down to Solen to make a speech on the 5th of July. There was quite a large camp about a mile and a half east of the depot there with about 100 tents and six ceremonial tipis. The Committee had a large tent-top rented in which to have the dances and there was a regular ceremonial enclosure in the center of the circle, where I made my speech. Photo of Red Fish, Welch, Chasing Fly, Holy Horse in front row, Mrs. Red...
Read MoreCol. A.B.Welch Visit to Fort Berthold, and the ruins of old Fishhawk Village, Oct. 12-15, 1921.
Welch was asked to speak at this heretofore rare Joint-Meeting of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Tribes with their old enemies, the Sioux A few weeks before the above time, I received word from an Indian, Claire Everett, Elbowoods, N.D., by letter, that they wanted me to come up and speak to them when they dedicated a certain new dance hall – that they would let me know the date later. I consented. Early in the month I received a well-worded invitation and the date was for the 13, 14 and 15 insts. I was to go to Garrison on the east side of the river and be met there by an Indian who would take me to the place. On the train up, I met a man named Joe Packinaugh, Indian with French ancestors, and two other men, one...
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