Manuscript copy of the proceedings of a council of the Standing Rock Sioux, nine pages both sides, 8 x 12.5, April 15, 1881. True manuscript copy of testimony against Chief John Grass, related to an alleged conspiracy with General W. P. Carlin to undermine the authority of the Indian agent, Father Joseph A. Stephan—known as the 'fighting priest'—at Standing Rock. In part: "Bull Head, Captain of the Policemen, states: 'All the Indians who held a council on the 12th inst. with Gen. Carlin are a worthless, lazy and indolent set, and but few of them work on farms. John Grass, Chief of the Blackfoot, is a liar and does not tell the truth. He is always speaking against the rules of the Great Father. When the Agent directed that a working club of young men should be started among the Indians, John Grass stopped them from working, and we do not want John Grass to be Head Chief any longer'…Chief Fire Heart, says: 'We have constantly reported John Grass, Chief of the Blackfoot, as an unruly and bad Indian. John Grass wishes us to remain Indians, and advises the people not to listen to the Agent or the great father…Head Chief Two Bears, of the Lower Yancktonnais, says…'The Indians that you see at this council were very angry when they heard what had happened at the council held in the garrison last Tuesday, and were so anxious to come and deny what was said and done there that in order to come here today they swam over the Porcupine River which is very high'…
Chief Big Head says: 'I am now going to tell the truth. I want to listen to the words of the great father. These people here today have always followed the advice of the Agent: they have cut their hair and worn white men's clothes. Last summer when we were in Washington John Grass spoke well of the agent. Now he speaks against him. John Grass is a two faced man and cannot be believed. We do not want a military man for agent. Last summer we were promised horses by the Great Father, and now John Grass forgets it'…Head Chief Thunder Hawk says: 'We have had several agents here who gave us no instructions as to how we should work and now that it is said the present agent is going away…it is our wish that he shall remain. He has helped us to farm better than any…We want to go and see the great father about the business of the agency and we want to take the agent with us."
After further testimony come the names of the 247 Sioux in attendance, including "Rushing Eagle," "Standing Bear," "Iron Eagle," "Bald Head," "Red Top," "Crow Feather," "Red Hawk," "Takes the Gun," "Blue Thunder," "Medicine Horse," "Bobtail Elk," "Step on His Arrows," "No Heart," "Four Thighs," "White Owl," and "Breaking Armor." Brad-bound at the top and in fine condition, with a small stain to the center of the first page.
