Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 142, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 June 1910 — NEW NAMES FOR INDIANS. [ARTICLE]

NEW NAMES FOR INDIANS.

Yellow Robe Is William Y. Robe Under the Present Order. Major J. R. Eddy, agent jn charge of the northern Cheyenne Indian reservation in southeastern Montana, is in Helena, having accompanied a large number of witnesses who were to appear in the federal court. “One of the most exasperating problems of the Indian service at present is Indian nomenclature,” said Major Eddy the other day, according to an exchange. “The old-time cowboys are largely responsible for many of the startling cognomens by which the Indians are known. “The old-time puncher’s sense of humor was loud and pungent, to put it mildly, and the first name that popped into his head was bestowed upon the Indian that drifted into camp. The Indian was proud of his new appellative and adopted it with gusto. Then the other Indians became envious and the first time they met a white man they demanded an American name also. This was particularly true of the Sioux, who came more into contact with cowboys than the other tribes. “Perhaps this was all right years ago, but when these Indians became wards and their names got on the roster in the bureau at Washington it became intolerable and an effort has been made to change these names. The Indians object to it. They have a white name and not knowing its significance believe the department is striving to rob them of their birthright. - But the worst names have been changed and others are toned down. "At present the department is going to step further. Yellow Robe has now become William Y. Robe and Black Eagle is Frank B. Eagle. This is a preliminary step to a dissolution of the ward relationship, so that when the Indian becomes a full citizen he will not be singled out by reason of his name.” .