Manuscript copy of a deposition taken at Standing Rock by Louis Primeau, three pages on two sheets, 8 x 12.5, April 21, 1881. Notarized manuscript copy, in part: "Statement of the officers and members of the Indian Police belonging to the Standing Rock Indian Agency, regarding the interference, with their official duties, by John Grass, Head Chief of the Blackfoot Indians. 'During the summer of 1880 we organized a working club composed of the young men belonging to the Blackfoot Indians, for the purpose of attending and pushing to completion all the agricultural and other work that might be required for the advancement of the Indians: we were to help build houses and fences, plow and harvest the crops of such Indians as belonged to the club, as well as of those of others who might desire or need our assistance.
John Grass interfered with the club, and in a council held with them urged them to abandon the project, stating that we should not work and that he had some other things for us to do than working. His efforts were successful, and the working club was abandoned.
We desire to say further that John Grass has on several occasions, interfered with us whilst in the performance of our duties as policemen, thus degrading us in the eyes of the Indians. John Grass has said several times to us, 'you are all behind me, I am the Chief and I am the proper person to say to the Indians what they should do; between you (the policemen) and the Agent you are always trying to make the Indians work, when you ought to know, that the more work you do, the sooner the government will quit supporting me.'
Because we stopped the 'Kiss Dances,' when we were ordered to do so by the Agent, John Grass would talk and work against us as policemen, he has told us that the 'Kiss Dance' was not prohibited by the authorities at Washington, and that it was only done by the Agent.
We believe that we could get the Blackfoot Indians to do more work, and to feel better disposed towards all of us, if John Grass was removed from his position of Head Chief." Primeau records the names of the witnesses and Indian policemen, the likes of "Afraid of Bear, Captain of Police," "Iron Eyes," "Crow Feather," "White Blackbird," "Red Heart," "Yellow Wolf," "Takes the Gun," "Red Bear," and "Not Afraid of Anything." In fine condition.
