The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-06-06
The Other Side OF the Indian
Question. f-
The Redskins Not the Only Saw
ages.

committed upon some Usage Indians
From this il would appear that there are
some whites who deserve more than the
Indians the appellation of savages:
New Usage AGENcY,l
INDIAN TERRITORY. 5 mo. I6,1S7l.
Z. S. Parker, Commissioner of Indian Affairs:
Almost daily | require the assistance
OF the police asked for some weeks
since. l will relate disturbance which
occurred on the 18th instant.
Nopa Walla, chic: of the Little Osa-
ges, and some of his headmen, ten in
number, started in the morning from
their village, which is about eight miles
from the line of Kansas, to trade robes
and furs at one of the border towns of
that State.
They were met aboat two miles on
their way 10y seventeen border white
men, armed with guns and revolvers,
who demanded the return of horse,
which they alleged had been stolen by
some of the Osages. The chief assured
them that his braves at the camp would
find the horse for them if he was in their
hands. The white men, after consulta-
ton, presented their arms, and ordered
the Indians to dismount, which some of
them did, land others attempted to escape.
The whites commenced firing at the Osa.
ges and pursuing them, they making no
resistance whatever, as they were un-
armed. The chief was wounded slight
ly in the shoulder, ana two of his head
men, inofensive and peaceable like him
self, were badly wounded, perhaps ia
tally, and another was pursued to the
river and killed; another saved Ills life
by dividing into lake. Other details
could be given providing it to be one Of
the most cowardly and murderous as
saults that has lately been perpetrated
on the border.
Some of the party escaped to the Will
age, where, amid much excitement, about
seventy-tiv warriors started in pursuit
of the whites, who were overtaken be-
fore reaching the State line, but refusing
to stop and deliver up the ponies and
robes they had taken, were fired upon
by the Osages. One white man was
killed, two taken prisoners, and five hor-
ses captured. and the remainder of the
maraudcrs made their escape, spreading
the news of general slaughter Of all
the women and children on the border.
Hence the people rushed to arms, but
were prevented from testing their cour,
age by the advice of two or three men,
who insisted on an investigation, which
soon allayed their ire, as the attack by
the Osages was deemed justifable under
the circumstances, and they had quietly
and peaceably returned to their village
through the settlement of the trespass-
ers. They also released the two pris-
oners.
The chief, wisely forcsecing another
attack, abandoned his town in the after.
noon and fell back towards the agency,
twenty-five miles distant, to be near the
other bands for support
As early as practicable information
had been sent me, and 1 FASTENED to the
scene of the trouble. About sundown
i met the band of five hundred on the
plain, fleeing from their home and the
excited border. 1t was sad sight to
me. .it
This band had given ind dubitable cvi
dence of their determination to abandon
their. wild life and accept civilization,but
now they were on the warpath, grieved
and possibly their heads filled with the
spirit of revenge, which would cause
them to forever hate the education and
course of life that produced such unjust
and hateful fruit.
A delegation from the settlers on the
border brought down the pony taken
by these thieves and murderers, and
wished to do all they could to restore
friendly relations with the Indians.
At council held to day the Osages
voluntarily gave up the horses taken by
them in the fight, and appeared disposed
to live at peace, if let alone.
! again respectfully request small
police force of armed men to remove
tresspassers and protect the Osages
from the incursions of "Christian saw,
ages" on our border. Liquor is largely
introduced, which l am unable to pre-.
vent without such assistance
No United States marshal or commits
sioner is located nearer than Van Buren,
Ark, about two hundred miles distant
Unless these Osages are protected by
the Government, it will be utterly i'm
possible for any man to control them OF
ciyilize them. a-
If the Government would discharge
its duty in that regard, their civilization
would be rendered easy, certain, and
Epleasurabe to the agent and his colab.
orers. Very respectfully,
ISAAC Il. GIBSON,