Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-05-23
Correspondence of the Spy.
-ebrnska and Kansns.---NO. 9.

FITcHBuRe, May, is, 1854.
Messrs, Editors:-Ninety-thre miles, by our
reckoning, from Wesport, the last town in
Missouri, is the upper crossing of the Kansas
river, where is ferry kept by half-breed In |
dams. Thore is another crossing lower down |
the river, Twelve miles, think } where there |
are also ferry boats. At the upper crossing,
near the riveI is the Pottawatomie trading post
and village containing about thirty houses, and
two or three stores. The business at the fer
~, and at the stores, was transacted by half
breeds, some Of whom could talk English
quite well. The village is very pleasantly
situated, and presented neat and inviting
appearance. few graves near by were
guarded by railing, and within the enclosure
was cross, the fruits, doubtless, of the Cath
olic mission eight miles distant. Several In
dams from the village, visited our camp for the
purpose Of obtaining whiskey, and ssoappin9
horses. About the only words they could
speak, of English, were, ,oAisk, for whiskey,
and sscap; but these, with their gestures, were
sufficient to enable them to make known their
wants. Our wagons were taken upon the fer
ry-boats by hand, and the oxen crossed about
mile above by fording. The current was
quite swift, and the water in some places
deep. The river bottom, at this place, is
heavily wooded on either side, and the soil, as
usual, very nch.
Eight miles farther on is the Catholic mis-
sion, which is less inviting in its appearance.
The place contains about half dozen log
houses, but no store or mechanics shop of
any kind. The Indians are supported chiefly
by the annuity they receive from the Govern
ment, and appear to be shiftless and thrift
less race of beings. There YVES about ing
erected at this place large church, the tim
Der for which was already on the site, had
an interview with the Priest, who is an agree
able person, and gave us much information
about his charge, and the Indians generally.
The Chief Of the Pottawattomies, whom | met
here, is a half breed, and quite intelligent,
speaking English readily. This tribe and the
Pawnees are at variance, and the Pottawatto-
mics were about raising an army to drive the
Pawnees from their vicinity. The Chief said,
year ago, in 184S, the Pottawattomies at
tempted to form treaty Of peace with the
Pawnees, which the later would consent to
on condition that they would use their inhu-
ence to effect like treaty between them tthe
Pawnees and the Kickapoos This was agreed
to- and the warriors Of the Kickapoos, Kaws,
aud Sioux were assembled, and marched with |
the Potawatomies to the residence of the Paw
nee chief who advanced to meet the Pottawat- |
tonne chief, shook hands, and changed position
with him; as is their custom when they wish to
signify perfect friendship. If peace is doubt
full they advance salute each other, and then
withdraw to their own party. After the sal
utaticn of the Chiefs, the Pawnee warriors
advanced to greet the warriors of the different
nations, till they came to a Kaw whose father
had been killed when attempting to make
peace with the Pawnees. He said he could
not make peace with them that day, and i'm
mediately commenced firing upon them, when
all rushed to arms, except the Pottawattomles
who retreated at slow pace, without firing,
it being contrary to custom to run or ire
gun when they go on a mission of peace. But
after the Pawnees had pursued and fired upon
them for the distance of half mile, they
then turned upon them with a shout, and
killed fifteen men and thirty horses. Thus
ended the affair." till last fall, the Pawnees
stole from them thirty Of their best horses, and
recently six more.
He warned us to beware of the Pawnees,
as they were hostile to emigrants, and might
attack us, five or six hundred strong. He said
their method Of attack was, to rush upon a
company when least prepared for them, and
frighten off their cattle with the most hideous
yells. They usually prefer severe thunder
storm, or very dark night, for their opera
TONS If the mules and horses are tied, few
will stealthily pass among them, and cut their
ropes, when others rush in behind, and fright
en- them off,
About three miles beyond the Catholic mis-
sion, saw about dozen Indians, but none,
after that, till we had crossed the South fork
of the Platte, distance Of three hundred and
forty-six miles. Not only were there no In
dams in sight, hut no traces of them were to
be seen on the route, except in one instance,
there was seeu bright light, at distance
across the Platte, below its forks, and a noise
was heard, which was attributed to Indians.
About one hundred and thirty miles beyond
Fort Childs, we met about forty Sioux In
dams, who had paraded themselves across the
road, with two large United States flags un-
turled. In personal appearance they were
superior to any we had seen, being well formed
aud good looking, especially the females
They solicited tribute of all passers by, as well
as traded horses, larietts, or halters, and trim
kcts. The Indians along the upper Platte
lead wandering lives, moving from place to
place, as inclination may lead them. Accord
ing to Mr. Parker, their lodges are composed
ef-eight or ten poles, about eighteen feet long,
set up in circular form; the small ends are
fastened together, making an apex, and the
4al tsS EAsAc dAC bpfCdA Jul, 81 do W ChOAOoC dA
area Of about twenty feet in diameter. The
wholeis covered with their coarse skins, which
are elk or buffalo, taken when they not
good for robes. A fire is made in the centre,
hole being left in the top of the lodge for
the smoke to pass out.
Mr.. Parker says these Indians appear friend
", not only to white men, but also towards
each other. He saw no quarrelling among
them. Their minds are above the ordinary
40 nd fl1o forn IF hotr an
Many Of them are " natures grenadiers. -
The women, also, are well formed, their
voices are soft and expressive, and their
movements graceful ! was, he says, agreea-
bly, surprised to see tall young chiefs, we'll
dressed, in their mode, leading by the arm
their ladies. In decency and politeness, as
= well as in many other particulars, they differ
from those Indians on our frontiers, who have
lad more intercourse with bad white men,
and who have had access to whiskey.
NEBRASKA.