The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1861-03-30

neighbors wlI! have no cause, whatever to
regret this change. Mr.. SAUNDERS is a man
of commanding abilities, and has had much
experience as legislator-having Represent
ed Henry County in the Iowa Legislature,
as Senator, for the las. tw elye years. He will
give dignity. influence and efficiency to the
Executive department of the Nebraska Ter
ritorial Government-suppositio attri-
butes Of Gubernatorial authority, to which
that Department in Nebraska, has been a
total stranger, ever since its organization.
CORRESPONDENCE or THE NoSPAREIL
CoTroSwooD SPRINGS. \. T.,i
March, 2Oth, leGl.
Reports are continually coming from the
| States of the severity of the weather the
past Winter-of deep SHOWS ana inelemency
generally, while here We have had the most
beautiful Winter weather | have experienced
in the six years have been in this Territory.
We have had not over four inches of snow
on level, and this fell at dlferen. times,
and generally disappearing between two
days. Many cattle have not seen the inside
of shed or stable during the Winter, and
have lived by grazing. The Buffalo grass,
which invariably dries up before the frost
takes it, retains, in great measure, its nu-
tritious qualities; hence the avidity with
which cattle and ponies feed on it, caring
very little for hay while the ground is bare.
They even prefer this grass to the rushcs on
the islands in the Platte.
The Indians, from eight miles below here
to the upper crossing, some eighty miles
are legion, while in comparison, at this sea-
son, white men are as blades of grass on
desert. But few travellers have been over
the road this Winter, except such as travel
by Stage and Express. Freighters and
emigrauts, however, have just commenced
and are daily increasing in numbers. The
bad state of the roads below, has much re-
tarded freighters, while with US the roads
are, and have been during the Winter, un-
equaled.
Notwithstanding the various rumors that
have circulated from time to time, the In
dians, with little exception, have been peace
able and friendly-this exception has been
owing to whisksy-fOr which some of the
regular Traders, and possibly some of the
Ranchers have been to blame. Some of the
traders who follow the Sioux, have caused
most of the anxiety experienced by the set
tiers in regard to the Indian movements,
which, at times, has appeared little mystic
rious. The traders perfectly understand the
Sioux language, and when any one out Of
their interest inquiries into Indian move
ments, he gets an ominous answer. Traders
do not feel very friendly to ranchers, be-
cause ranchers usually pay the Indians n
better price for their robes, The Indians
tell US they are not going to trouble the
whites, but that they are gathering their
force to fight the Pawnees, they desire to
shake hands with "liarney,' as they term
the officers at Fort Kearney. That "llar-
ncy'' is to meet them at Plum Creek with an
escort TO protect them from the Pawnees,
whom they consider their most bitter enc
mics. Some have supposed, because the
Sioux have have been so eager to get pow
der and lead, that they were about to make
war with the whites, or perhaps clean out
the ranches on the roads. 1t is true they
have had provocation to be angry. The
Buffalo they consider their Seattle and
property, and they do not like to have the
emigrant shoot them down on the road
when they DO it from mere sport.
They do not like to have every emsrant
that travels the road, stop them to examine
their quivsr and arrows, any more than the
white traveller would like to have his pock
cts examined by every one he passes. Not
withstandng these things, however, my
opinion is they do not intend to make raid
upon the whites, for the reason that it would
be entirely agains: their interests, as they
would haveless chance for begging. and less
chance to make good sales Of their robes
and furs, besides they are between two
Forts, and an army OF emigran;s are on the
road nine months in year. Should they
make the attempt on Us, they would, in the
end. become one of the extinct races.
The pawnees have caused the Sioux much
excitement. having at different times during
the winter, stolen from them a large num-
Der of ponies. The ponies of FIVE Tsepses
(Lodges) were taken at one time, according
to Sioux authority. Several parties of
pawnees are now on similar expedition,
one party, however, have returned without
success. The report is that the Sioux have
been playing the same game on the Paw
uees more successfully. II is amusing to
see the trepidation the sioax are in when
ever they hear the PaWnees are within
twenty or thirty miles of them. They will
move about from one place 10 another,
/ frequently, in double quick iime-gather at
( the Ranches to cet news. believing what
F ;hev hear there is authentIe- 5. ID.
/ rrMany contend that State should be
responsible for the niggcrs stolen by It's
citizens. Perhaps, too. State should be