Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1862-02-21
interests Of the Indian are concerned, pretty

interests Of the India,, are concerned, pretty
] mach Of hun,5ug. The $4,000 which the
Yanktowns receive annually from the Gov
crnment, is paid to them ir sclni-annual
payments, so that they receive one-half Of
this amount once in six months. Now, an
Indian has no idea of the value of money, or
property of any kind, except so far as it
tends to his present qualification. In other
words, Indians have not sufficient foretllought
to save to-day in order that he may have
something for tomorrow; and the result Of
this folly is, that one month has not passed,
after they receive pay ment, before ecerything
is gone, and they find themselves in miscr-
able, starving condition. The Indians about
these Agencies get an idea that the pay which
they get from the Government is sufficient
for their support, and for this reason they
viii not raise finger to support themselves
until they are upon the very verge Of starva
ton. While the Indians living one hundred
miles west of here are daily .feasting them
selves upon deer and buffalo, which abound
in that region, the Yanktowns are lounging
about the Agency here, freezing and starving
For some reason the "Grcat Father" has
not given the Yanktowns their full share Of
annuity for the passed year,and there is much
dissatisfaction among them on this account
Last September the Agent (Dr. Burley) had
considerable trouble with them. The In
dams demanded of the Agent some powder
which he had in his possession, and, upon
his refusing to deliver it up, they proceeded
to take forcible possession Of it. They then
piled straw about the Agency buildings and
threatened to burn them to the ground
The Agent sent a messenger here for aid, and
the Commander, taking body Of troops,
went to his relief. Upon the approach of the
soldiers the Indians dispersed. Since then
there has been no serious trouble, although
there is a constant grumblng and expression
of dissatisfaction. Some Of the "braves " are
here nearly every day to see Capt. Pattec.
representing their families as being in starv
ing condition, and asking his aid IN getting
provisions How far Capt. p. has it in his
power to assist them do not know, but am
sure he will do all he can towards relieving
them. They have taken quite fancy to the
Captain, for they say she promises nothing
that he cannot fulfill" Indians are very
''matter Of fact" beings, and will not bear
triiing with in the least, and it is much bet |
ter to deny them favor at once, than t.
make promises and fail to fulfill them.
For some reason the "Punkaw Agency"
seems to be in better condition than that Of
the Yanktown. They have received their
annuity in full, and appear to be very AMIGA
BILE. They are much more tractable than the
Siouxs, and not as jealous and suspicious in
their dispositions. Major Hoffman (their
Agent has military company composed
entirely of Indians. Government furnishes
them with arms and uniforms, and when OF
"dress parade " they make fine appearance.
They pride themselves very much upon their
military attainments.
DR.. Burley (the Agent for the Yanktowns)
is now at Washington for the purpose Of get
ting money for his Indians and the Indians
are very impatient for his return. "Smutty
Bear" Zone of the Chiefs called upon the
Commander of the Fort, few days since,
ani informed him that when the Agent re-
turned he should expect $4,000, and init
mated that there would be trouble unless the
money was forthcoming.
The executive power among the Yanktowns
is vested in one head Chief and six sub Chiefs.
The Chiefs, as we'll as all other noted charac-
tiers among the Indians, receive their names
from some popularity Of the individual, or
from some important circumstance connected
with their carly history. The result Of this
system of nomenclature is that the names are
often much more significant than poetieal.-
Yanktowns is, Struck by tho Rea;' the
first sub Chief is, "Smutty Bear; the second,
/" Medicine Cow" the third, "White Swan"
the fourth, mad Bull" the fifth, 3" Feather
in the Ear" and the sixth, 'Lone Iron Hair"
In my next communication | shall give
some further account of the peculiar customs
Of the "Red Men," together with few hints
concerning the character of the country here
as regards climate, soil, &c.
| 8. N. PIERCE.
Later and Better From Burnside's Elk
! petition.
Washington, Feb. IA special mcssen
ger arrived this morning bringing the follow
ing dispatches:
| U. S. flag steamer Philadelphia, off Roam
oke Island, Feb 9Th, 1S62.-Roanoke Island
is ours The military authorities struck their
flag to us yesterday. Their means of defense
were truly formidable, and they were used
with a determination worthy of better
cause They consisted of two deliberately
constructed works mounting together %
heavy guns, three Of them being 100-pound-
lat IN