“KAMERAD” CRY NOT OF GERMAN ORIGIN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1971, 1 May 1919, Page 1

“KAMERAD” CRY NOT OF GERMAN ORIGIN.

The German is notthe originator of the “Kamerad” ruse, according to Ed. Houston, a fanner living north of Junction City, Kansas.

Mr Houston says the Indian was an adept at crying “Kamerad,” in his own tongue, of course, long before the German Empire was formed, and cites an experience of his own to prove it. Mr Houston was a member of Troop G., Seventh Cavalry, the regiment commandede .by the gallant Colonel George Custer, for eight years.

Under Captain Edgerly he went to the scene of the Pine Ridge troubles. The troops lined up to disarm a band of Indians that had given themselves up. They included the chief, Big Foot, and a large number of braves, as well as women and children.

The captives were herded together, and soldiers formed a hollow square around them. Each Indian wore his blanket draped over his shoulders, and, with arms folded across the chest in flic cusiomary Indian position, maintained', a stoical silence. It was known that a number of the Indians carried guns, I nit no treachery was suspected. Suddenly, apparently without a given signal, the Indian opened lire on the surprised troopers. Instantly all of the oilier braves followed suit, and even the squaws and older children joined in (he altacit upon the soldiers. Little Indian boys with sawed-off shotguns fought until killed, and the V't' 1 -, bloody affair. It ended when there were no more Indians, because the soldiers, angered at the trickery that had be- 1 gave no quarter. and the Indians asked for none.