Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1858-11-26
For the Ellsworth Americana
Indians In Kansas.

and lies on the Missouri river, some twenty
t miles above that of the Wyandotts, and ex-
tends up the river nearly to the city of Leay
enworth.
There is Christian Mission among them
under the direction of the United Brethren
The missionary with them four years ago,
when the writer visited the mission, was a
Mr. Smith from Pennsylvania; apparently a
worthy man, and well devoted to his work
The Shawnee Indians, are located on the
south side Of the Kansas river, opposite the
Delawarts. Their reserve is thirty miles
east and west; extending from the Missouri
state line, along the Kansas river, through
the distance named. 1t is twenty five miles
wide, lying that distance along the western
line OF Missouri. 1t is a valuable tract of
land, having a variety of timber and prairie
land, in just about such proportions as best
suits the convenience and interests of the &C.
cupants Some OF this tribe are pretty good
farmers and live in good style. They are all
considerably civilized, and quite a number
of them are hopefully and professedly pous,
There have been four missions among them
for quite u term Of years. Two of them are
now dlseontlnu, d, and the other two are con-
tinued. OF these four missions, one is Qua
ker, one Baptist and two Methodist; one OF
them NJ. North, the other NJ South.
The Quaker mission is good establish
ment and appears to be doing good work,
particularly in educating the children and
youth. They keepa boarding school, and
instruct the young to some extent, in agri
culture and household work. They have
large and productive farm connected with
the mission, and managed by the supcrin-
tendent
This mission suffered very much from the
"borl.r rufhans, during the ''reign Of ter
ror' in Kansas. The Quakers are of course
tree-adte; and this was enough to draw
down upon their pious heads, and their be-
nevolent, but unobtrusiyc efforts, the wrath
of the slave power. They were robbed and
insulted, both men and women, and forced
to flee from their work and from their home,
and seek shelter in obscurity for 4 time
80 tell it not in Gath Publish it not in
the streets Of Askelon!"
The Baptist mission was conducted by
Rev. Mr. Barker, who is almost DR.. of
medicine lie served the cause with fidelity
for many years, and with good degree of
success. He kept boarding school for In
dian children and youth, and gathered a re-
spectacle church of converted Indians. He
built pretty meeting house, which is situ
ated about four miles from Westport in Mis-
souri,, and some two miles from the state
| line This mission is discontinued. not for
want of success, nor from any deficiency on
the part of Dr. Barker; but on account of
the intrigue of his neighbor, the superintend-
ent Of Southern Methodist mission. This
man, we'll known in all that region, as Rev.
Tom johnson; or rather Tom Johnson-for
good men do not choose to disgrace the title
Rev. SO much as to apply it to him-man-
aged SO as to procure treaty between the
Shawnees and the U. States, SO as to secure
to himself and his school, all the funds ap-
propriated BY the government, for the edu
cation of that tribe. These funds were pre-
vously very properly divided among three
schools Johnson's, DR.. Barker's and one in
the western part of the reserve, connected
with Northern Methodist mission, in charge
of DR.. Still, "a very good man. But he, with
Dr. Barker were robbed of their rights, by
the act referred to above, and have given up
their missions.
1t is sad and humiliating to contemplate
such gross injuries under the guise of relig-
ion, but it shows what men will do when
blinded and pardoncd by the corrupting in
huence OF slavery.
This Johnson's mission is the far famed
spot where the Bogus legislature met in
the winter of 1856; and johnson was presi-
dent of the Senate of that infamous body.
The Shawnees have recently treated with
the government in regard to the disposal of
their land. Their treaty like that of the
Delawares, provides that every In dian in the
tribe may select 200 acres of land from any
part of the reserve, to have and to hold it, as
his or her private property. For the resi-
due the government pays them sixty cents
per acre.
Among the Shawnees there are several
white men who have married Indian wives
and been admitted into the tribe. These
share of course with the rest of the tribe in
the division of the land and in the reception
Of the government annuities. Some OF these
phite Indians have become quite wealthy,
but they are not regarded as some might sup
pose by the Indians. The latter are mighty
Jealous of their national character and their
personal consequence. They admit of no ar
istoeracy among them. They are strong for
personal liberty and will part with it at no
price. "Give me liberty or give me DEATH
is a sentiment which they deeply feel. What
they claim for themselves, they readily award
to others. They are enemies to slavery, I'M
less it be as prisoners of war. With few ex-
ceptions, hey are decidedly Free State, in
sentiment and practice
The Shawnees, Ike lost Of the Indians in
eastern Kansas ARE peaceable and quiet, both
among themselves and towards tier white
neishbors. j. u.
WHAT is TO RE DoNE WITH OUR CHARLEY
We nope no parent will fail to read the ar