Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-06-29

| family or tribe, is the sole cause why
the treaty stipulations between the
United States and the Indian tribes, re-
specting murder, are so seldom exc
cuted. In like manner prisoner taken
in war is the property of the captor and
his family; it being optional with the
captor to kill or save at the time. This
right is sometimes purchased with prop
erty.
During my agency for the Miamies, a
shocking murder was committed on the
widow of the Toad, who was one of
their beloved men. The woman lived
alone and was well off with clothing,
trinkets, and furniture. She took for a
companion and fellow-lodger, single
woman of the same nation. This per-
son, coyeting her property and orna-
ments, basely murdered her benefactor
in the night, by battering her skull with
large stone; then robbed the house
and fed, seeking concealment in the
wilderness. The victim, who was
named Jenny by the ladies of the Fort,
was a great favorite with all, often as
sisting them in sewing and making quilts.
A universal wish was expressed at the
garrison and among the Indians, to have
the murderer apprehended; after some
weeks she was brought in, and her own
father appointed jailor, until her fate
could be decided upon. No influence
from any quarter was used to save her,
the brother of the deceased was ap-
pointed to execute the law. Armed
with tomahawk, at the appointed time
he passed through the town, and when
opposite the cabin where the murderer
was kept, her father thrust her out Of
the door and she was put to death on
the spot. Thus ended the matter, nor
did any bad feeling ever after arise be-
tween the family or friends of the par
ties. Atonement had been made, life
for life, and all were settled. During
the time was commissioner for treating
with the Wyandottes of Sandusky, in
184l and '42, murder had occurred in
the nation, between two of their people.
The chiefs having become somewhat
familiarized to our laws, took thematter
into their own hands, consulted and de-
creed the execution of the murderer,
and he was publicly shot accordingly.
This was the first instance of depart
ing from the primative custom of taking
satisfaction for the loss of life. Since.
that time, the Wyandottes made a treaty
with the United States relinquishing
their Tribal character, and providing for
their becoming citizens of the Union;
for reasons unknown to the public, that
provision of the treaty was stricken out
by the Senate. During the administra-
ton of Mr.. Monroe, and at his instance,
similar attempt was made in some of
our treaties with the natives of the
Northwest, and with the further pro-
visions of dividing their lands and giving
the fee of six hundred and forty acres
to each head of family. These stipu-
lations were also vetoed by the Senate.
Doubtless that body had good and suf-
fcient reasons in the opinions of the
members for so acting, yet it must readi-
ly occur to the minds of any one ac-
quainted with the condition of the In
dians, their past history and future pros
poets, that if some such security is not
provided for them, few more genera
tons will witness the total extinction of
their race, and then how the weeping
page of history will tell of the wrongs
and blasted faith visited on the red men
by the rulers and people of this nation!
How keenly all our sensibilities are en-
listed in the cause of the African, yet
not voice is scarcely heard in or out
of Congress, to vindicate the claims of
the Indian. Is it because no political
capital can be made out of the miSfor
tunes of the latter?
For many successive years the chief
Black Hoof was one of my companions
in my early excursions among the In
dians. He had lived long, was intelli-
gent, and had more of the history of
his people on his mind than any of his
nation. -r -.. 3. --..rs
Our talk sometimes extended far into
the night, around the camp fire. The
subject of removal to the West was
often discussed. In adverting to the
distress which these matters occasioned
to his people, he would conclude by
saying, I'VE will go anywhere if you
will let us alone; but we know by ex-
perience, go where we may, your people
will follow us, drive US again and again.
until we reach the sea beyond the noun
tains, and then we must jump off,
meaning there would be no resting place
for them, at last, on the face of the
earth. At this very moment, attempts
are making to purchase out and remove
the Indians who only few years ago
emigrated from Ohio to the new terrific
ry of Nebraska, Is it any wonder that
they so obstinately refuse to receive the
religion or the arts of civilized and
Christian people?
In l842, nine men, women and chill
dren of the Seneca and Delaware In
dians, were barbarously murdered with
in the limits of what is now Madison
county, Indiana, by company of FIVE
lawless white men. The slightest pro-
vocation was not alleged for the outrage;
the victims being among the peaceable
and inofensive of their race. The par
ticulars of this horrid tragedy are not
fit for the public eye. As soon as was
informed of the outrage, being fully
aware of the danger that awaited the