The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1859-08-27
CI)r 1u0inrls.
LIFE AMONG THE AB0NIGENEs.
BIZ A. D. RICHARD son.

Until the recent Pixies Peak gold dis
coverics, the few white men who resided
among the Eastern spurs of the Rocky
Mountains and upon the plains at their
base, were all comprised in three classes;
trappcrs, traders, and government agents
With some this voluntary cXpalriation
was the result Of fonduess for advcn-
turc; others were actuatcd by the rare
facilities for obtaining wealth, in rcgion
where there was little competition: and
Others still were in the condition of those
facetious scoundrcls, who in the convict
colony at New Wales, sixty years ago,
proclaimed themselves,
True patriots all; for be it understood
We left our country for our country good
TIE TRAppERS
were numerous in the mountains twenty
years ago: but are now nearly extinct,
picked off, one by one, by the rifles aud
arrows Of trcacherous sayagcs. Like
all men in constant peril, and among
strong cxcltements, their dangerous lives
possessed a strange fascination, which
once experienced, they could never after
ward resist. They adopted the dress
and customs of the aborigincs, joining
SONG Indian tribe, and purchasing one
OF more squaws to tighten their !abors,
and "rcar their dusky race" They
were mainly Of French descent hence
the frequent names from that language
still applied to valleys and streams, and
the numerous words of French origin
vet in familiar use through the far west.
In that golden age of the traI porS,
beaver skins, which have now reccdcd
to one dollar a pound, sold readily for
eight times that sum; and every brook
and cnnon aboundcd in game. The few
who remain are engaged, principally, in
trapping offers. The only one | have
met--among his three squaws and six
rappooses-relatcs many thrilling Incl
dents which have transpircd during his
seventeen years Of mountain life and
like thorough conservative, signs for
"the good old times " which were, but
return not.
TIE TRADERS
lived with their families, in secure abodcs
or log forts, and rcapcd rich harvest
from the skill of the trappers and the
ignorance of the Indians. Though pur-
chasing furs nominally at st. Louis prices,
they paid them in coffee and sugar at s.
per cup, coarse colico at s. a yard,
whisky at So per quart, and small pieces
of tobacco at 81 each. Buffalo robes,
until within the last ten years, they
could buy of the Indians for glass
of whisky. 1t is easy to understand that
in few years they often realized ample
fortunes, and we're able to retire to the
luxurics of civilization. But even they
became so much enamored of life upon
the plains, that they were seldom able
permanently to abandon it,
GOVERNMENT AGENTS.
For many years the government has
employed resident agent among the
various Indian tribes, to disburse their
annuities, prevent outbreaks, and en-
courage their growth in ciyilization.-
The position is one of few checks and
much responsibility and the govern
mcnt is compelled to rely mainly
upon the probity Of It's representative.
In many cases current belief asserts that
much of the money designed for the
Indians, through one process or other,
finds its way to the pocket Of the agent
This may be a foul SANDER; but it does
look singular, to Ca man up a trcc,"
that these positions, with small salaries
and unattractive surroundings, should
be so eagerly sought for
THE ARAPAIIOE INDIANS
own the present gold region, and LARGE
tract of land East of it. Thoy came to
this vicinity from the North twenty
three years ago. They are considered
peculiarly trcachcrous and blood thirsty
tribe but are now SO reduced by wars
and the small pox-that terrible scourgc
of their race--as to be no longer fornd-
able. They regard the " Utes pa
fcrocious mountain tribc-with great
terror and gladly cncamp in Denver
City, to be safe against their incursions
Their language is extremely harsh, gut
teral and difficult. 1t is often said that
no white man has ever been able TO
acquire it; but the trapper alluded to
above, after living among them many
years, speaks it with considerable fucncy.
He deems the tongue Of a ncishboring