Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 November 1896 — SAVED BY ADOLL. [ARTICLE]

SAVED BY ADOLL.

A Little White Girl’s Plaything Conquers a Savage Tribe. “A gentleman from the ground up—the finest gentleman in the regular army,” was tlx* way an old Omaha reporter referred to Major John G. Bourke, formerly aide to General Crook. And then, wanning up to his work, the old reporter told the following: "They used to tell a story of Mr. Bourke when he was down In Arizona with Crook that shows what kind of a man he is. The general was trying to put a band of Apaches back on the reserve, but couldn't catch them without killing them, and be wouldn’t do that. One day they captured a papoose and took her to the fort. She was quiet all day, saying not a word, but her black beads of eyes watched everything. When night came she broke down and sobbed as a wlrite child would. The fort was in despair until Mr. Bourke had an idea. From the adjutant’s wife he borrowed a doll that was a beautiful creation that had come to the adjutant's little girl the previous Christmas. When the young Apache was made to understand that it was hers to keep her sobs ceased and she fell asleep. When morning came the doll was still clasped In her arms. She played with it all day, just as any child who had been <*dueated to play prettily with its make-believe babies would have done, and seemingly all thought of ever getting back to the tribe, under the spell of enchantment placed over by the doll, had left her. "Not so with the officers of the post, however, for the thought of having to keep the papoose without having the tribe make some inquiries as to Its welfare bothered them to a considerable extent. Several days passed with no sign of overtures being made by the tribe, and, finally, in despair, the pap<M>se, with the doll still in its possession. was sent back to the tribe. Major Bourke, who was then a first lieutenant. when the child was sent back to the tribe, had no idea of the effect his Itenevolent act to the papoose would have upon the crafty band of aborigines. When the child reached the trllte, with its proud prize tightly grasped in Its chubby hands, it created a sensation among the native Americans, and Its mother later went back to the ]>ost with It. Six' was received In a hospitable manner and kindly treated, and the efft'et of her visit was such that through her overtures were made to the tribe, with the result that soon afterward the whole band moved back on the reserve. “Major Bourke, In all probability, when the kind act was done, in order to placate the heart-broken papoose, had no idea of Its ever being of such service to General Crook and his forces. It saved tliem from engaging In a bloody battle, In which tin* lives of the Apaches and Uncle Sam’s forces would have Iteen jeopardized to such nn extent that many would have been killed or maimed for life, and made imsslble, what is seldom accomplished, tire placing of a large body of one of the most barbarous tribes on the American continent back on the reservation without the loss of a single life. The Apaches were of the same tribe as that which Geronimo made do deadly work not so many years ago.”—Portland Orego Dian.