Nebraska advertiser., 1865-05-04

Will remain friendly, unless forced into
hostilities by the aggressions of the
whites, Unfortunately, the Governmen
frequently sends out agents aud army Of
fcers, who, being totally ignorant of In
dian character, and regarding all Indians
as enemies, punish an innocent tribe for
the acts of a hostile one. The "Chiv-
ingtOn massacre" is a sample Of the out
rage too frequently committed upon
friendly tribes BY men who have not
learned to distinguish between the status
of the different tribes.
The largest of all the prairie tribes is
the Commanche nation. 1t consists of
nine bands, Of from five to seven hun.
dred warriors to a band. Allowing
three women and children to lodge, the
total population may be estimated at
about 25 900 souls. Each band is a sep
arate organization, but. the head chief
directs the other chiefs. The Comman-
ches range over country about fifteen.
hundred miles in length, by FIVE or six
hundred broad. extending from the Rocky
Mountains to the Arkansas. They are
perhaps the most skillful horsemen in
the world, and are always supplied with
good animals, their stables being con.
stantly replenished by captures from the
wild mustangs that range the plains of
Northern Texas in large numbers.
The head Chief of the Commanches
is Hot yo-ka-wat or Ovor the Buttes.
Mah-wee (the Shaking Handy is Chief
of the largest band, and his warriors are
the youngest and bravest of the nation.
Quen.a.vie (the Eagle Drinking) is
brother of the Chief Of the Texas Com
manches, and commands \ large and
warike band Ten Bears is the leader
of large and strong band, bat from
some cause, he is not a full Chief, and
has no seat in the council. He recent
lywent to washington with Major Colley
Indian Agent, and shook hands with
President Lincoln. These chiefs have
assured Col. Leavenworth that they were
the firm friends of the whites, especially
the head Chief and Nah wee. When
one of Col. Leavenworth's men killed a
Cheyenne, and he was surrounded by
host of angry Indians, threatening to
take his life, these chiefs stood by him
like brothers, and by their influence pre-
vaded the further efusion of blood.
The Cheyennes number from seven
teen to eighteen hundred souls, and the
Arrapahoes have about the same popu-
lation. The two tribes occupy a reser-
vation near Ft. Lyon, on the arkansas.
The head chief of the Cheyennes is
Black Kettle, Little Raven is the chief
of the Arrapahoes. They have always
professed friendship for the whites, but
have not always kept their pledges
Both tribes are much diminished in num-
bers, and fast fading away from the
earth. They live by hunting and trap
ping, and procure from traders such lux
uries as whisky tobacco, brass rings and
colored beads. for which they are re-
quired to pay enormous prices.
The Kioways number about $50 lodg-
es, with from four to FIVE persons TO a
lodge. The head chief is To-haw-sen
Little Mountain). The second chief
is Sa-tan.kee lSitting Bear). QuelI-
bach Lone WOlf), Is the third in rank
Sa-tan-tee (Wtite Bear), is the fourth
chief, a leading warrior, and splendid
specimen of a savage. Among the
baaVes, Ton.a-en-ko lKicking Bird is
a famous warrior. Yellow Buffalo was
a delegate to Washington with Major |
Colley, and was quite hon at the White
House.
The APaches have forty lodges
Their head chief is called Poor Bear.
Iron Shirt is one of their leading war
riors. There are several tribes Of In
1ians called Apaches, some of them In
nabiting Arizonia. southern New Mexi-
60 and Chihua. but the band we speak |
IF has no connection with the OILERS
The Apaches of the plains are good In
1ians, friendly with the whites, and |
lVerse to going TO war with them
They are rapidly dwindling away, and
have gained nothing by their contact
with the whites. Their hunting grounds,
once prolific in buffalo and other large
game, are becoming depleted, and they
otten suffer for want of food.
Among the Cheyennes and Arrapa-
hoes is an Independent band, called |
Dog Soldiers" comprising eighty lOdg-
IS. They are under the control of their
own chiefs, and are nearly always on
he war path. They have always re-
fused to treat with the whites, and pun
Ter trains whenever they &c. an Oppor-
.unity.-S- Louis Dewocrat.