Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-07-08
a Reign Of Terror in the southwest.

The Kiowas are the most troublesome and
treacherouS of all the tribes in the southwest
They number in all about $500, and of late have
become extremely inSolent. They boast that
they are not afraid of the white man, and are
ready to war with him at any time. The depre-
dations committed on the reservation at Fort
Sill were committed by this tribe. On the 10th
of this month they stole from the Wichita
agency seventy head of mules and horses, and
ON the ID inst thirty mules from Fort Sill.
They also killed ard scalped two men, exhibit
ing as trophies the scapS of their victims at the
Kiowa agency Mr.. Tatem, their agent, is per-
iectly helpless, and is in dread night and day,
and keeps small guard around him for proec-
ton against those he is feeding and clothing at
the expense of the government. The young
Indians of this tribe are now supposed to be out
on the Sand Plains, and every effort has been
made to induce them to come in by Mr.. Bedu,
assistant superintendent of Indian affairs, who
is there for the purpose of getting the chiefs of
several tribes to accompany him to Washington
to treat. The KiowaS are represented as being
well armed with Spencer rifles and Colts re-
volvers, and provided with the best horses in
the country. They tauntingly remark to the
agents that they can get all the arms, powder
and provisions they want. How they get these
things is through incursions among the settlers
of western Texas, whom they murder and rob
OF household goods, and then run off all their
stock. In this way they accumulate large herds,
which are driven by them down on the borders
VI 4hSAlCOj NuCIC lu6N are met Dy AeXlCauS,
who give them in exchange arms and ammuni-
ton. They give descriptions of the people they
trade with and also the manner in which the
trades are consummated. The MeXicans tell
them their Great Father in the United States
only lies to them and cheats them out of their
lands by giving them promises, while they 1.-THE
Mexicans) have a greater father, who will give
them guns, and anything they ask for. OF late
they have been away from the agency very fire.
quenty, leaving none but the old men, women
and children behind, so as not TO be impeded in
their operations. They make various excuses
Tor their absence, but none are of a satisfactory
nature, and their refusal to come in now to treat
is regarded very SuspiciouSly by the superin-
tendent 1t will be seen from the following let
ter OF Gen. Sheridan that he thinks about as the
superintendent, and will do his duty in the
premises if not further interfered with. Gen.
Sheridan says:
fully endorse all that Gen. Augur says on
the subject of the character and disposition of
the KiowaS. | do not coincide with him in the
scheme OF removal, simply because think it
lmpraetlcable. These Indians would escape
IRON any OF the northern posts, unless it might
be Fort Smelling, where they would he so far re-
moved from the frontier line that they could not
get through the settlements. The tribe needs
punishment oil the seyerest kind, and we are pre-
pared and willing to administer it whenever it
Is deemed best by the proper authorities. Had
1t not been for Col. Hazen, who represented that
these Indians were friendly, when | followed
their trail without missing it for a moment
from the "battle of the Washita" until over
took them, the Texas frontier would be in a
better condition than now, and we would be
Tree from embarrassment He seems to have
forgotten in his recent newspaper communca-
tlon, when he censures the government for not
chastising these Indians, that when | had my
sabres drawn to do it, he pronounced them, in
the name of the Pedro commissioners, friendly
II only had some authority to manage and
pUOiSh the KiptVas I Nupn NOT IA
caused them to- respect human life and the
rights OF property. As it is now ] must confess
that do not know what to do. The govern
ment will not be able for q much longer time to
avoid the demands of progress and settlement,
and must assist the measures which render
every portion of our extensive frontier safe for
citizen to travel over or occupy.
Inc Quaker agents are also beginning TO feel
that soft words are not the thing for the Kiowa
Indians. Nothing will quiet them but powder
and ball, and from their actions now we should
think the sooner these persuasYes were used the
better. In western Texas there is perfect
reign of terror among the white settlers, who
are moving away with the little that is left
them. The Pedro Indians, peaceably inclined
are also worried and annoyed by the KiOwas.
The Comanches have made no Warlike demon
STATIONS as yet, but it is thought that in case
there should be a general breakout they would
side with the Kiowas. After the Indians have
been on visit TO Washington ard return, our
iniormants say they are looked upon suspicious
ly by the balance, who frequently remark that
the chiefs are "whitewashed," made drunk and
lied to by the government, and no reliance can
be placed on their statements. They are con-
sidered as unworthy of further trust. If the
visits accomplish anything, it is comparatively
quiet during the absence Of the chiefs, and for a
short time after their return, which is about as
loug as It takes to tell of their experience while
in Washington, In the southwest the question
IS narrowed down to this: whether it Shall be
the Indians or the white mans country.
-LedUenlcorh (KdB.) Commercial.