Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1869-12-23
New Series--Vol. 9, No 4S

willing to- work but have nothing 10
work with, etc. ,etc. ;" which sorrowfully
is all too true.
They spoke of treaty made last win
ter but not ratified by the Senate, selling
ninety-six thousand acres of their Res
ervatiou, for a dollar and a quarter AN
acre, leaving sixty-four thousand acres,
with which they are not satisfied. The
council lasted four hours.
We presented an excuse for the Gov
eminent for not having sent their annu-
tiles, in the fact of the recent change of
Administration, and the many press
ing duties consequent thereon, but that
we would do all in our power to have
them forwarded-alsO, TO have them
properly supplied with necessary teams
and tools.
Our feelings deeply sympathized with
these, our red brethren, in their desti-
tute and helpless condition, from the
failure of the Government to keep its
faith with them, in regard to the money
they were to have received, and the
evident state of want and destitutinfi to
which they are sorrowfully reduced.
while still owners of such large and
rich tract of land, more than sufficient
to support them in abundance. This
pressing need of their annuities seemed
to engross all their thoughts. They
couldsalk of nothing else. When they
heard their "grandfather'(S. NJ. Janney)
was comming to see them, they said
they "were sure he was going to bring
it, and they were greatly disap pointed
that he had not done so. They wanted
to get better clothes, which they evil
IDENTIFY needed, and to provide for their
families.
These Indians formerly lived "on the
Platte" and they were promised if they
would consent to move on to the Blue, u
where they now are, they "shOuld nave
all they. want, and be happy. But it
has not been so-they are poor and un-
happy"
We visited their grave-yards. They
place some of the boxes containing the
dead in tree, $50 that the spirit of the
departed can see around the big prairie
to the Blue river.n We saw tree with
ten or twelve such boxes among its
branches, some of which we were told
had been there many years. When an
Indian dies, they kill his poney and put
ii, with its saddle and bride, near its
masters grave, or resting place, with
some food for the poney, and bows, a
bottle of water, etc., etc., in the grave
or coffin.
Some little time ago, child died, and
they buried its grandfather alive with
the child in his arms, at the grandfath-
er's request, ''in order that he might
take care oft in-the Spirit land"
After tea, a religious meeting was
held, which was very interesting oc-
casion-the meeting being favored wi b
a solemnity which seemed to be expe-
rienced by all, and brought the whole
company, which was large, and COM
posed principally of Indians-the same
who had attended the council in the,
morning with their families, into feei-l
ing OF Kindness and affection.
After meeting, another council was
held, which was quite satisfactory, and
terminated very pleasantly, when we
bid them all an affectionate farewell.
The Indians had a dance of Joy" after
they went home to their village, attend
ed by "drum beating,n which was
continued to pretty late hour in the
night.
There are about forty separate lodges
in their village, which is close by the
Agency buildings, so that the move
;ments of the Indians can readily be
seen, ahd the cry of their "herald" from
the top of the head chiefs lodge dis
tinctly heard, proclaiming every morn
ing, the duties and engagements of the
day.