Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1870-11-03
INDIAN AFEIRS.

These gentlemen visited several OF the
Tribes Of Nebraska during the year 1870
and we copy portions of their report.
sANTEE SIOUX.
On the %, in the morning., we attend
ed the Sabbath School of the Presby-
terians, there being about seventy five
present. The whole company were well
dressed in citizens clothes, fine, moral
intelligent, and healthy looking eompa-
nv. Their teachers, Frances Pond and
Julia La Fro boise, two, as we believe,
very worthy women, in this tribe, whilst
in Minnesota. At the time of the mas
sacre, in 1862, in which this tribe took a
part, they were removed here, and this
mission followed them. They now have
five native ordained ministers among
the Santee Sioux. There is said to be
about six hundred communicates about
three hundred at this mission. They
claim to have two hundred scholars that
read English. -., -. -.....-
Francis Pond, who stands as one OF
the heads in charge at this place, wishes
to correct statement that was PUBLISH
ed by the Friends Delegation of last
year, relative toher view of the Indians.
believing that it was purely q misunder-
standing on their part She would say /,
II feel that, as we found the Indians,
they had but an incorrect idea of Spirit
ual religion. We at present believe that
we have been able to give them more
correct idea of the knowledge of Divine
And we do feel that there
are many amons us that we can embrace
as true Christians in the Church OF Christ
as evidenced by their daily walk"
We were Informed that in 1865 they
had printed a new edition of the New
Testament, in the Dacotah language,
and gave to each family, where there
was one of its memOers able to read 1t,
copy. There was at thattime less than
ten families who did not receive a copy.
Since then many more have been dis
tributed among them. - f-5s 90. r.. l,'
The Indians at this Reservation num-
Der about one Thousand. They receive
an annuity in clothing of twenty. thous-
and dollars. and weekly issue-of beef
aud flour of five thousand pounds each.
They live mostly in log and block houses.
Tae Agent reports that they have about
one hundred aud thirty houses; about
fifty built the past year, and, through
his untiring energies he is endeavoring
to assist them to build many more this
present season.
There is now in successful operation
saw mill, capable of saving five thous-
and feet daily, with shingle machine
attached. This has been erected the pres
ent year.
The Agent is now engaged in allotting
to the indians their land.in severalty, in
the same manner as tnat of the Wfhne-
bagoes. This will enable them to build
houses on their own land as fast as they
can get the material sawed, and some
help from their Agent, who proposes to
procure another carpenter to enable him
to assist the Indians more in their house
buildings. The farmer reports that he
has sown Of wheat one hundred acres,
planted of corn and potatoes twelve
acres, and is now engaged breaking six
ty acres to SOW in corn as it is termed by
the Agent. When harvested, the tribe
will receive the benefit of it. The In
dians have planted three hundred and
twenty-five acresiof corn, potatoes, &c.,
which they cultivate as their own, each
family having piece which they put in.
tend, and harvest for themselves. The
tribe has twenty-three yoke OF oxen,
eight horses, nins ty-one cows, hfty-six
yearlings, and are raising forty-seTen
calves. They have wagons, mowers.
reapers, plows, drags and general as
sortment of agricultural implements,
though by far too few to accommodate
They have built one
anda half mile of boardfence this season.
Agent Ja-ney reports having received
from Genesee and Ohio Yearly Meetings
six hundred and twenty-six dollars.
From friend in Philadelphia twenty
dollars, and considerable amourt t of
second-handed clothing, no estimate
having been kept of its value The
clothing had all been distributed, being
very acceptable. Remaining unexpend-
ed about Two hundred and eighty doll
ars. At this Agency there is a head
farmer, carpenter, blacksmith and mi l.
wright, who oversee each his branch OF
business, the Indians doing the work
beyond hat these are able to do. They
each give good account of those under
their care working as well as white Ia
borers. They havea a doctor located at
the Agency for the benefit OF the Indi-
ans. The Agent and his family are
active workers in the cause they have
having the confidence of the
Indians, and are ready at all times TO
to the wants ofthe sick and
needy.
Z We held council with the Chiefs and
head men. They wanted-lIelp to build
their houses and get start to cultivate
their lands. q q -
This tribe is much darker complex
ione6 than the other Tribes these an d
the Winnebagoes are the darkest the
tribes. They are good looking class of
Indians. All the men and many of the
women have adopted the citizens dress,
1t will be observed by the reports from
missions that many of them have joined
the Christian churches. We heard a
good account of their general deport-
ment. This tribe is allowed to be the
farthest advanced in civilization of any
in this Superintendency. T-E.
The Agent reports having ordered
suit of citizens clothes for each man,
and goods to make each woman and
child dress of linsey woolsey.
= After arriving at Omaha, S. NJ. Janney
letter from the Agent of the
Santee Agency stating that on the after
noon of the day after terrible tornado
passed Just south of his house and per-
fectly demolished the Episcopal Mission
House, and the large hospital building
Just erected and not quite completed,
killing two who were in the hospital
and severely injuring another workman.
Fhe family, consisting Of some nine or
ten persons, escaped without mu1h in
ury.
WINNEBAGOES.
Returning to the Winnebago agency,
,th mo. I'd, we found there had been
some excitement on account of the late
murder which had now subsidized.
Superinte ndent Janney held a coun-
ii MI Il b tho oh iafa of this friha annrisad