The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-10-17
The KIcKApoo TRIBE OF 1SD1aya

TIE KIcKAPoo TRIBE OF INDIANS.
Aaer spending some time with the
Saawnees, we hired horses AMI an lndi-
an guide, aud rode up the Missouri River
about fifty miles to the Kickapoos, a small
tribe Of about four hundred, situated
above Fort Leavenworth on the Nilsson
ri. They are nearly all agriculturists,
raising sufficiency Of corn for them
selves and some to sell. They also raise
some wheat, potatoes and other vegeta-
bles, and keep horses, cattle and hogs;
some ofthem live pretty comfortably.
Their cabins generally are filthy and
some ofthem exceedingly SO. There is
10 school in this tribe. A number of them
belong to the society Of Methodists: 9th
ers are the followers of an Indian man
whom they call the Prophet, a man of
some talent, but SAID to be an arch de-
ceiyer. The greatest number still adj
here to their old traditions The general
appearance ofthese Indians was filtbv.
many are much given to dissipation and
Other vices, especially those of them re-
gliding near the Fort. The Meth odists
have missionary in this tribe.
Ne held a council with them, and en-
deavored to lay before them what an.
peared proper, persuading them to leave
their bad practices, and become sober
and virtuous. There were present at
this council about thirty of their chiefs |
and principal men. They heard what we !
SAID to them very attentively, but not
being ready to reply, requested another
interview. Accordingly number of
them met US in the evening, and after
consulting time among themselves,
made the following reply through one Of
their number who understood English
Brothers. we understood What You
had to say to-duy to US, and this Is what
our chiefs say to you. We are glad you
are come 70 sec us; we believe what you
have said to as to-day is true. We were
once pad, but now try to do better, and
hope you will help US. We remember
what you said about the Great Spirit,
and we know what you said about the
Great Spirit to be true. We are very
glad you have come to talk with us about
these things We believe the Christian
way is the best, and what you have told
lis about it is true.
We are glad to hear what you have
said to US about building houses, and
schooling our children. We cannot do
much; we want you 10 tell our great ia.
Their at Washington to help US. We
heard his talk TO us about whiskey and
other matters. We don't make whiskey
ourselves, and we tell our young men not
TO drink it, but we cannot help it so long
as white men sell it to them. We don't
know how to make the white men take .
The whlskey away, but the great men at
Washington do. We hope they will
help U.s."
They then informed US how glad they
were we were come to see them, and
wished US to tell the men at Washington
OF their wants. They said they were
poor aud had no wagons TO gather thet
corn in and carry it to market; they had
no ploughs; their mills were out ofrepair, t
and their young men had to 20 10 mill
near the whiskey shops, and they would .
get drunk. They said these things were
due to them by treaty stipulation; and )
heir great lather had promised to attend \
0 those things, but had not. They wish $
I'd us go and see him, and let him know
What they said. After this talk, thew
ook US by the hand and parted with US :,
. very friendly manner. 4
The next morning, the third ofeeventh Q
lonth ES42, we returned back as far as If