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Show BIQ CHIEF IS LEGION BOSS Only Full-Fledged Indian at Head of an Ex-Service Men's Organization in America. MaJ. A. B. Welch of Mandan, N. D., is the only full-fledged Indian chief and commander of an American Legion post In America. He Is wearing the official of-ficial dress of a head chief of the Sioux, which he was authorized to assume as-sume when he was adopted by their great chief, John Grass, many years ago. He is now the duly elected chief of the Sioux, in additiou to his duties as commander of the Gilbert S. Fnr-ness Fnr-ness post of the Legion at Mandan. A veteran of the Spanish-American war and a participant in the Mexican border expedition, us well as an authority au-thority on customs, sports and ceremonies ceremo-nies of the Indians, citizens of North Dakota were eager that Major Welch should lead a battalion of Indians to France. Major Welch volunteered to do so, but his offer was refused by the War department. Nevertheless, a number of Indians were included In the detachment of men which Major Welch took to France in December, 1917. lie served upon the stnff of Gen. Hunter A. Liggett and on Armistice day was with the artillery artil-lery of the Third division, south of Sedan. Se-dan. When he arrived In Germany he was named as oflicer In charge of civil affairs in the Coblenz area, which position po-sition he held until the divisions came back to the United States In September, Septem-ber, 1919. During the' Philippine Insurrection Major Welch was a participant in the Br fmm hmm v MAJOR A. B. WELCH. capture of Paco, Morong and other towns along the shores of Laguna de Bahia, including the important city of Calamba. Major Welch and state officials of the Legion will speak at funeral ceremonies cere-monies for Albert Grass, grandson of Chief John Grass, who was killed in action near Soissons. The Indian hero, who went overseas with Major AVelch, will be buried ai Cannon Ball, N. D., with the full tribal rites of the Sioux Nation. |