St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1865-11-16
INDIAN PAYMENTS.
INTERESTING ACCOUNTS.

INTERESTING ACCOUNTS.
CHlpPEwA AGENCY, MIMI,
Nov. 9Th, 1865. I
- DEAR Whitaker leaving you on last
Tuesday morning, l took seat in one Of
Burbank 4 Co.'s light and comfortable
coaches, and BY six o'clock in the evening
was safely landed in the famous city Of
Crow Wing. 1t is but Justice to the pro-
prictors to say that the stock and coaches
on this road insure speed and comfort to
travellers, and under the skillful mana re-.
ment and obliging attentions of the gen.
tlen'aniy driver, Mr.. Lake. the trip is re-
ueved Of much that is usually very tire
some and annoying in stage travel. At
Crew Wing hired team and arrived
at Chippewa Agency the same evening,
where l met with Majer Clarke, the Chip
pewa Agent, and the balance of the party
who had just returned from making the
annual payment to the Pembina and Red
Lake Indians at Rcd Lake-two Of the
party, Rev. Mr.. Noble, of St. Paul, and
Mr.. Sinclair, of the Winona Republican,
having gone home.
Wednesday, Nov. Isl, was employed in
dividing the annuity goods designed for the
Mississippi and those known as the Mile
Lac bands. These two divisions are inclu
ded in one treaty, and were formerly all
laid on the same day Or at the same time
at the Agency, but owing to the good be-
havior Of the Mile Lac bands at the time
Of the outbreak, the government to please
them and at their own request, agree TO
pay them separately. Also on the same
day, correct rolls of the different bands to
be paid on the I'd were prepared by. the
chiefs and Interpreters and the goods dlvi-
ded according to the number in each band
to be receipted for and handed over to the
chiefs and by them distributed to the In
dams.
On Tuesday, the I'd, the day fixed for
payment, the Indians having collected to
receive their money, and after the usual
pow-wow preparatory to commencing, the
roll Of the bond first in order was taken up
and the names called in regular order by
Mr.. Johnson, tho interpreter, when eacl,
Indian, at the call Of his name, or by his
accredited representative, came forward,
touched the pen in the hand of the checking
clerk, when his nine dollars were handed
over to him by the accomplished paving
teller, Major Barking, with that facility
and grace which would make a similar
functionary in any metropolitan bank high
ly popular frequently accompanied by
some flattering or complimentary remark
that would seud the happy recipient away
grinning from ear to ear, although they
did not understand q word he said; such is
the influence Of manner. The payment
went on from beginning to end without the
least interruption. and, have every reason
to believe to the entire satisfaction of all
concerned.
After the money payments were coaclu-
ded, there was passed over to the chiefs
the goods and provisions intended as pres
ents for the occasion, consisting Of fresh
beef (qaite a number of oxen had to be
slaughtered TO meet the requirements) salt
pork, -four and tobacco, and served eat to
them by bands 1t was truly amusing to
see with what evident pleasure they car
aied away the carcass Of an ox-hosts,
head, horns eatrails and all.
The principle incident of the day was
the arrival of q wagon load Of distinguished
ladies from Fort Ripley, under the charge
of our gallant friend, Mr.. Dan Circuit, to
vitaess an Indian payment for the first
time. Major Clar Ike received them with
his usual cordially and politeness, giving
them comfortable positions inside the Office
where they ce0ld witness the whole process
Of paying and receiving the money. They
staid about an hour when thanking the
Major for his kindness and expressing much
pleasure at what they had seen, they re-
turned to the Fort.
Next day, the Sd, we started for Leech
Lake-'he party consisting Of Major Clarke
Agent, Mr.. Bean, Clerk, Major Barking,
of Kentucky, special agent sent by the De-
partment at Washington, Rev. Mr.. Conwell
of Winona, formerly Chaplain Of the First
Regiment Minnesota Vols, Capt. Joel Das-
set, Of Minneapolis, DR.. Barnard. physi-
clan to the Chippewa Indians, Truman
Warren, Interpreter, Nr. Ferris, of Phila-
delphia, and H Il, Mitchell, besides
teamsters, cooks, &c. AN things being
properly arranged, the goods and provis-
ioas having been previously sent forward
by teams, We left tile Agency at two o'clock
in the afternoon. The day was stormy and
disagresable, with high winds, blowing
down trees in many places across the road,
causing considerable Inconvenience and de-
law After il disapreeahio ride of Ok ni1aa