Wisconsin herald, and Grant County advertiser. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1844-1845, 1845-02-01

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sertions contained in it.
For tire Herald
THE WIN NEBAGO PAYMENT. 1874.
The custom Of paying these Indians their
annuilies by heads Of families, is Of long stand
ing, if not from the first OF their receiving such
payments. Each Indian, on receiving his
quota, for himself, wife or wives and c. ildren,
ether paid his individual debs Herewith, or
purchased such things as best pleased his fan
cy, or BOTH And such was the punctuality Of
many Of them in paying their debts. that ira.
ders felt safe in trusting them, taking good
care always 10 be at hand, at the time of pay
men. to remind the Indian of his indebtedness,
and also 10 have something on hand ready TO
tempt him to dispose Of his surplus funds, at
ter his debts were paid.
Ia this way things have moved among the
Winnebagoes for number of years. And as
the white seulemn.s have ,hickened up TO the
very line of the Red mans lands. petty traders
have multiplied, and commodities for their
markets have increased, Every person hay'
ing few goods. ,rnkets, a horse, pony, a
beef or hog to sell; or even few pumpkins,
MELONS or little corn, with the least dispo.
silion 10 try venture al speculation. would 60
TO the pay ground with wagons or carts, or on
foo, as occasion would seem TO regard. And
those who preferred the more incretive, but less
questionable irafc of fire water though MOI,
T,d;ap rronpd
would probably manufacture the commodity at
the rate Of three or four gallons Of Whiskey, a
due proportion of tobacco and corrosive sublu-
mate and the rest Of water per barrel With
cargo of this poiso nous liquid they would re
pair to the lines, either inland or on the river
in time TO catch some snagling one or more Of
the tribe on his way 10 the pay ground, by
whom. after gratutous treating, they could
send word to the main body that whiskey was
plenty and cheap a, such and such places
with an invitation for each and all to come tina,
way directly from the payment
Ifsuch traders had not previously built
cabin and made claim at the place of loca
lion-which was frequently the case, with a
view TO profit by the ,rade--a shanfy was cree
ted for the lime being CT tent spread, within
which barrels, kegs and bottles were piled up
on each other for the accommodation and con.
venience of customers. Thus supplied with
goods, cha,els. wares and merchandise on the
pay ground. and plenty of liquid poison on
the lines. things were always in state Of
readiness for the quick removal and general
distribution of the depOsites from The agents
strong box to the pockets Of their feito,c citizens
all over the country.
Blu, in these times tfgeneral scrambling, the
old agent, Mr.. - had been too willy,
agains, the whiskey peddler and too attentive
to the interests OF the Indians 10 suit the ideas
of the majority, who woold rather skin an In
dian, than do him justice. and large petitions
were repeatedly sent to head quarters for his
removal And at length the goat, either be-
cause il was wearied by importantly, or be-
cause its heads reasoned as the fox on the ice
did, that where there was smoke there must be
fire, decided his removal and Mr.. - -,
who had probably never seen an Indian before,
and was totally unaccusiomed to their usages
and the arts Of the traders, was appointed in
his stead.
In the autumn Of 1914 the new agent made
his appearance on the frontier. Those who
wished to profit by his administration were the
flfsl to congratulate him on his elevation 10
such high and responsible office, and tender
their humble services, if needed. TO aid him in
passing the dangerous Whirlpools of the pay
men,, and especially 10 avoiding the course his
predecessor had pursued. To &C, with Pru-
dence-,bo' the law made no provision for
council-he employed lawyer who haa more
brass than brains. TO explain to him the law
aud regulations as printed before him.
The time of payment arrived. The Indians
10 council decided .ha, each head chief, seven
m number should receive 81 900, and each
brave 800, and The balance should be paid
to The heads of families pro rata per head
And by :his decision the law bound the agent
10 abide. But secre, Influence was al work;
a number of sub.chiefs had been induced to
believe it safer otherwise from the promise OF
reward. had agreed to have their money with
three or four of the regular traders. all of whom
together had trusted the Indians TO about half
The amour, TO be paid out. and after paying
those debts, tickets were to be given TO each
Indiua emitting him TO SO much trade at GER
tain stores,