Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-10-17

any shade over him. ana we more
over believe that, had he had notice a
dsy or two. this meal was not half that
he conld have eaten. We have no
doubt that he could eat, from sun to
sun. an entire mutton, las others have
said he has done before, and other
things in proportion. Such was the
curiosity on this occasion, that the
voting and all business ceased, to be-
hold this gormandzer partake Of his
repas'."
By the same mail that brought us
this tough story, we received the ON
cial report Of Messrs. Butler and Lewis
& Commissioners TO treat with the Ca
manches and other prairie Indians. 1t
ia their vindication BY the Commission
ers against charges Of cxtravagant and
unwarraniab'e expenditure in their ne
gofafons. One Of the items com
planned Of was the quantity OF meat
distributed TO the Indians, and on this
head they produce the testimony Of
several respectable and competent wit
nesscs to show that they gave out a
very moderate allowance. Mr.. Rob-
ert Cook, who attended the Commits
s.oners, says:
have seen Prairie Indian cat
and destroy, upon his arrival in camp,
fifteen pounds Of beef in twenty-four
hours. am further of opinion that
they will cat daily, ten pounds thro'-
out the year"
We take it for granted that Richard
Evans. if he ever sees this statement,
will feel very shecpish. and no more
think Of setting up for wonder be-
cause he weighed ten pounds more az
ter dinner than before.
Major Arms rong, Superintendent
OF Indian aft IRIS, and who is evidently
afraid to tell all he knows, deposcs as
follows:--
&C ntIemen: In answer TO yours Of
this date, wishing me TO state what
quantity Of fresh beef Prairie Indian
will consume in twenty -four hours, ]
beg leave to answer, that in my opin-
ion. and from my knowledge of these
people, that they would consume from
six to eight pounds per day. know
that many persons would distrust this
but ! would sooner believe
that | was under than over the quanti-
ty; they eat meat alone, and when they
have it, are engaged in doing so a great
part of the time"
There is a word of unexplained
stuliing in that last assertion.
Capt. Rogers, who has been on the
frontier for twenty years, answereth
and saith:
"Gcntlemen: In reply to your note
of this morning, making an inquiry
with regard to the probable quantity of
beef or fresh meat an Indian would
consume in twentyfour hours, would
respectfully state that from a long and
intimate acquaintance with some of the
tribes of Prairie Indians, their charac-
ter habits, &c, but more particularly
that of the O>agrs, having frequently
been among them aud witnessed their
eating, that | believe they often eat
from ten 10 fifteen pounds Of fresh
meat in.the course of tWenty-iour hours
particularly on returning from the IA
tlgue OF a long hunt, when have no
doubt, they frequently consume from
five to SIX pounds at meal"
To The like effect depo,. tn Captain
Duval, IN the words foIlowing:-
Gentlemen: have just received
your note of tins morning, asking my
opinion on the probable quantity of
fresh beef hungry Indian could con
sumo in twenly-fnur hours. | would
say for a few days after his getting in
to camp from long hunt or journey.
he would eat from eight to ten pounds.
and for the first day or two. he would
even exceed that quantity"
Now, We hope here is matter effect
ually TO put down the arrogant pretcn-
sions, il not 10 stop the mouth of
Richard Evans, who in the feeding
line among the Prairie indians would
certainly pass for no more than good
ordinary TO middline." He is pre-
tender, and ought not to be connie
nanced.