The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1871-06-01
Written for the Upton Advertiser.
INDIAN COUNCIL.
BY LAWRIE TATUM, IND. ACT.

For long time the Kiowns, Conan :
ches and near 400 Apaches of this rcser-
walton, aud the Wichitas and Chey.
ennes of the agencies north Of here,
have been making frequent, and some
times disastrous ra ds into Texas. With
a hope that the civilized Indians, east,
and north-east'of here, might use their
influence to induce them to cease their
raiding, proposed to +. Hoag, Supt. oi
this Superintendency, to have a coun-
Gil of the civilized aud blanket Indians,
and see what could be done in that di-
rection. The Supt. turned to a resolu-
ton of the civilized Indians passed at
their last General Council at Okmulgee,
expressive of their willingness to meet
the Indiana Of the lains in council.
The Supt. at once appointed one at the
Wichita Agency, which il about half
way between the Cheyenne and Kiowa
Agencies, to meet Oh the oath of 4th mo.
1871.
On the oath it was somewhat rainy,
and no Indians made their appearance.
After that, they came stragling ih until
the 29th, when they met and decided
who were to interpret, &c. AS the next
day was the Sabbath, they adjourned
to second day, the lst of 5 mo. one
week after the council was to have
met.
The place was selected and arrange
ments made by the Indians, in the shade
of some stately oaks. Some logs were
placed Oh the ground around n circle Of
about SO feet in diameter. Some blank
cts were spread upon the ground In the
center, upon which principal Chief of
each band was seated. The tribes rep
resented were: Cherokee, Muskokee, ;,
commonly called Creek, Seminole,
Chickisaw, Shawnee, Delaware, Caddo,
Wichita, Comanche, Kiowa, Apache,
Cheyenne and Arapaho.
After the Chiefs were seated on the
blankets, they were addressed by james
Vaun, the second Chief of the Chero ee
nation, who made the following re-
marks:
II am glad to see my'red brethren, and
smoke the pipe of peace with them, af-
ter we get through smoking, there will
then be an opportunity for each one to
say what he wishes. First we will
smoke the Cherokee pipe and tobacco"
The chief then gave few pufis from q
La vH1 io1N hnl OF
about two feet long. The pipe was held
by Cherokee who passed the stem to
the mouth Of each one in the circle; all
Of whom gave few puffs, except Kick
ing Bird, Kiowa chief (who seldom
smokes.) He took 4old of the stem In
sanction of the custom. They thus
passed the pipe twice around the inner
circle; some Of the chiefs giving puff
up to the "Great Spirit" and another
down to the earth.
They then concluded it would do for
the Cherokees, Creeks & Seminoles. It
was agan filled and passed around the
outer circle Of Indians, agents &c. The
writer followed the example Of Kicking
Bird. There was then given small
piece of tobacco to each one in the inner
circle.
At Il 80 they got through with their
smoke, when the Cherokee Chief who
appeared to be the chairman said !:
1.-The proceedings of to. day, make me
feel glad at my heart, because we are al!
friends. It has been a long time sine
the red men met in such b council
When our fcrefathers met in this wsy,
they transacted their busiusss leacea-
bly,, which was of great s1fvice to us.
The talks that they had lhe treaties
of peace, and the white paths. they es-
tab,ished were of great value. There
were sacred fires kindled at the coun-
ellis, tAwhich all the red men Of the va
rio.s bes hocked to have smoke. In
shakfO4 hands they extended the wholA
arm to eachsother. They their laid the
foundAtions lf the various Indian ma
tions. There @N1kRany of our nation
passed away, arno whom are John
Ross, and Tuck aba Chez mo co. These
two men clung to the treaties, and never
let go. The talk Of to day Is the same
that they had, and is never to be lost.
The Cherokee is the oldest brother Of
the Indian tribes, and to them is en-
trusted the white paths and the key Of
peace.
My young brothers, the head men Of
the various tribes are now sitting before
me. We are red brethren, and are in q
poor and bad condition. That II the
reason that ! wished us to meet together
and shake tho hand Of peace. Our land
Is the gift Of God to us. It is our duty
to take hold Of our land, and assist each
other in promoting peace and welfare.
All nations should 60 hand in hand and
always have good talk. The Cherokee
nation is In bad condition, although
We have = government Of cur own. II