Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/182

 134 HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY civilized life see so frequently performed by aspiring men thirst- ing for political distinction. The old fellow being so good- natured, I frequently gave more heed to his requests than was proper or necessary, and he had reached the conclusion that he had only to ask and he would receive the favor. He wanted to be the second chief. A delegation of Indians from Wabasha stopped at our village, and Good Iron concluded a big feast would bring him the desired elevation. I had a fat cow and a good one, and an equally fat clog, but in no other particular did the dog resemble the cow. Now these two animals, in old T'maza's esti- mation, would just about furnish the necessary amount of influ- ence to place him in possession of the object of his aspirations. Accordingly, all smiles, lie preferred his request, and, of course was refused. He was a little crestfallen at first, but he soon laughed and said : 'My friend, you always gave me what I asked for. Now. when 1 have friends come to see me and I want to feast them yon refuse me your cow and your dog. It is not good.' I couldn't see the logic. The old beggar got to be second chief, however. "Maca-tiniza, meaning Standing Earth, more generally known among the whiles as 'Old Scolder,' was a regular old masculine termagant. Nothing suited him. His only luxury was gambling, and he enjoyed thai to an unlimited extent. He was, however, a stricl Good Templar, and not a bad Indian; hut his unfortunate peculiarity remhred him anything but a favorite among his people, lie attended church frequently and behaved very well, excepl on one occasion. 1 had made Wacoota a one-horse train, or sled, the first winter of my residence here. The 'Scolder' knew of this, and one Sabbath when we were all at church and Mr. Hancock was in the midst of his discourse; the old man and his wife entered. Giving a succession of grunts, he said: 'I have come to church to learn to ho good, and maybe the Good Spirit will smile on me. so that Pezutawichasta (my Indian name) will make me a sled.' The old fellow grinned at his interruption of the service, ami I concluded that his religion was not of a serious nature, or likely to become chronic. I never saw him sleigh- riding, hut I am informed that he was one of those unfortunates who perished on the scaffold at Mankato at the- close of the Indian war in our state. " Wakon-toppy Esteemed Sacred) was my friend, and with him I will conclude my list. He was honest, honorable and intel- ligent, a true man whether judged by the savage or civilized standard. This man was the only Indian I ever knew whose word and character were above reproach. The traders gave him credit whenever he desired, sure that they would receive prompt pay-