The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1870-07-07
published by Request)
A ScALPED MANS FUNERAL.

an interesting account OF the murder
of Young Tallman by the Indians, a
short time since, whose funeral Mr..
Wells attended. Mr.. Wells con-
cludes his letter by stating few facts
and principles, which We hope may
gain the attention of eastern people
and help to bring them to a better
understanding of the Indian ques-
ton:
First.-In this whole region you
cannot find one disinterested man
among the lawyers, physicians, min
listers or people, who does not believe
that the first step towards civilizing
| or Christianizing these hostile Indians
is to su6due them by force Of ans.
Second.-Who does not know tn at
the way to fight them is not to chase
war parties, for they separate, scat
ter, and ride fifty miles in every di-
rection in a single night, but 1t is to
send our troops against their encanp'
ments. The warriors Will always he
there before the troops, and they can
be brought to an engagement.
Third.-Who does not think that
the sympathies of humane and Chris
tian people at the east are PLAYED up
on by designing men for selfish ends.
Fourth-Who does not marvel at
the credulity of members Ofthe Peace
Commission, and such men as Mr..
VIM. E. Dodge, who visit Indians
with presents, having previously In
formed them of their intended visit,
and then pronounce them friendly,
when not one of these men, except
by chance, could drive ten head OF
horses across the plains without los
ing his scalp.
Fitth-Who does not think it
shame for our government to allow
these feao Indians, year after year,
to range up and down the very center
of our land, numbering hundreds OF
good citizens, and destroying mil
lions Of dollars worth OF property.
Sixth-Who thinks it any excuse
for our government to say to the
friends of the murdered that the In
dams have been cheated by itS'Oacn
ofciakS, In this region, surely, they
have not been wronged in any way
by the people.
Seventh-Who does not in some
measure feel rebellious against the
government which he so much loves,
and for which many have imperlled
their lives. which sells him land, de-
mands full taxes from him, and yet
gives him no protection from these
merciless S@vages.
Eightn-Who does not regard the
governmental policy of feeding In
dams and giving them supplies as
senseless. These Indians are lazy,
public paupers on horseback. Day
after day friendly Ute spass my door,
every soul of them beggar and a
public pauper on horseback. Here
comes a Ute with his squaw and pap
poose on horse back 20 beg for biscuit,
and indeed for everything else we
have in the house. The squaw could
support her husband, child, and her
self. by taking in washing. But no !;
they all have resolved that they acitt
not ,corh. If you or | will rot work,
will the Government tax all the rest
of the people to feed us, while we
ride around on horseback ? We all,
without exception, for their good as
well as cur own, would quote Gene
sis III, 10, to the Indians, and If they
will not work would wait long before
we fed them.
Ninrh-Who does not feel that the
blood of hundreds OF good citizens
has wet the ground through the sim
ful negligence OF our Government
and the setisnness of its own agents.
Tenth-Who thinks the Govern
ment need have the slightest Difficult
ty in determining the proper course
for it to pursue with reference to from
tier settlers, Indian agents or Indians.
lis whole duty may be found in Rom.
xii, 4: "The Government beareth
not the sword in vain for it is the
minister of God, revenger to exc
cute wrath upon him that dOeth ectL"
If white man murders an Indian,
hang him. If an Indian murders
white man, hang him. 1.-THE partic-
ular warrior who did the deed cannot
be taken, punish the band of butch
ers and robbers TO which he belongs.
II an Indian agent in partnership with
a Congressman defrauds a tribe of
Indians, hang them both for their
crimes richly deserve such severe
punishment.
Let the government punish evil
doors, and all this shedding of blood
will at once cease.
The truth is that the people of this
region have greatly desired emigra-
ton, and have said as little as posi-
BILE about the Indians, lest emigrants
and visitors should fear to come.
But the time has arrived when min
listers of the Gospel, as well as all
others, should speak ont, that people
at the East may know what we, aoho
d.ceN IN tile region Of these maSSacres
and dep edotioms, think.
Bishop Whipple, of Minnesota,
says that since 1862 ten white men
have been killed to one Indian. This
proportion is not too great for this re-
gion.
Will not Eastern hum anitarians
exercise little sympathy for the
families and friends of these
murdered, sealped, mutilated,
and frequently tortured white men,
instead of lavishing it all upon the
Indians
We hope and pray that, for the
next eight years, unless this Indian
war is sooner ended, ten wicked In
dian agents and Indian-ring congress
men and Indians may fall for every
one of our citizens.
An Indians soul is worth as much
as yours or mine. The blood of Christ
can cleanse it from Sin. The Cos
pei can tame the savage. 1t is of
little use, however, for missionaries
TO go among them while they are row
ing and hostile. AS soon as they
are conquered, and have fixed hab-
itation, may there be many beneve-
lent men and women ready to 60 to
them with the school book and BIZ
BILE.