OCR Text |
Show The celebrated Indian missionary, mission-ary, Father de Smet, mentioned by General Sheridan in his recent letter on the Black Hills, was a Jesuit priest of Belgium, who commenced his labors among the American Ia-dians Ia-dians in 1S3S. He traveled all over tho western country then settled by Indians, gaining and retaining their confidence and respect. There seems to be no doubt that the Indians disclosed dis-closed to him very rich gold fields. He stated to the late Bishop O'Gor-man, O'Gor-man, of Omaha, in that city on the last day of May, 18o2, that he feared the whites would scon rind out where these rich gold deposits existed, as they were gradually approaching them year by year. He was concerned con-cerned for the welfare of the Indians iu that event, as they would be crowded from their homes, plundered of their country, and be corrupted and destroyed. |