Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 94, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 April 1920 — INDIAN’S CHARMS FAIL [ARTICLE]

INDIAN’S CHARMS FAIL

Did Not Protect Him When He Blew Out Gas. Kayuse Chief on His Way to Washington Dies in Chicago Hotel. Chicago.—The tribe of Kayuse Indians on the reservation in Umatilla county, near Pendleton, Ore., are awaiting assurance from their chief, U. M. Sum Kim, that their lands will not be taken from them. They will learn that he died in a hotel at 603 Soutlr Wells street, asphyxiated by gas. It is believed that he blew out the flame. His charm of four snake heads failed to protect him. Chief Sum Kim was on his way to Washington to appear before the Indian board of commissioners to plead that his people be protected from a firm that is attempting to take parts of their land away through court proceedings for failure to pay an alleged debt, it is said. Adam Bird, owner of the hotel, detecting the odor of gas, traced it to the Indian’s room. The South Clark street police were summoned, but it was found he was dead. Tied to a string around his neck were four small chamois bags. Within them were the dried heads of four snakes. He had worn a sombrero, boots, yellow duck trousers and a black shirt. He carried four blankets. The body was taken to the Central undertaking rooms at 318 Federal street. Among the papers found were those of a law firm demanding that the chief appear before them and straighten out

a money matter, threatening court procedure if he failed to do so. The chief carried affidavits proving his side and a map and blue prints showing the land owned by the tribe. Traveling orders and appearance papers for a hearing before the commissioners were also found.