The New York herald., 1872-09-24
REDS In COUNCIL.
Grand Powwow in the Indian
Territory.
How 1t Began, Continued, Ended and
What 1t Was Worth.
THE Kl0WAS AND CHEYENNES ABSENT.
Speeches by the Leading Orators Of
the COmanche, ArapahOe
and WaccO Tribes.
TAMMANY TACTICS OF THE CHIEFS.
Two Days of Straight Lying in
Council and Feasting In
the Camps.
GIVE ME SUGAR Oh GIVE ME DEATH"
Artful DOdging Of the Main Issue and
Charges Against the Whites.
The Indians to Go On the Reservations
or Fight the Troops.
4 NJ Cvs .
GIVE ME SUGAR Or GIVE ME DEATH
Artful Dodging Of the Main Issue and
Charges Against the Whites.
UNCLE SAM'S ULTIMATUM
The Indians to Go On the Reservations
or Fight the Troops.
A Delegation Of Chiefs to Washington Death
Of Commissioner Parish.
WITcHITA AGENCY, I. T., Sept. 10, IS;

WITCHIrA AGENCY, l. T., Sept. TO- 1872.
We were up before the Friday morning,
the 9th inst, at Leeper Creek, preparing for the
grand council to be convened at noon, but not be-
fore our Indian friends. Fully impressed with the
truth Of the saying that 1t is the early bird that
gets the worm, they commenced their flight to our
camp while yet the stars were shining, and, squat
ting about our quarters, watched with keen interest
every movement We made. Each 'buck" squaw
and naked papoose carried bag blanket or clout
to hold sugar, bread, meat or whatever else of
provender they could beg or steal, and noisily de-
manded the immediate attention OF the Com
missioner. They crowded into the tents
until it was almost impossible to turn
round. BY smashing open few
boxes Of bread and letting them help themselves
we were, however, enabled after some time to
make q hasty toilet and eat morsel Of breakfast,
when the serious work OF the morning commenced.
These Indians were merely the 0uant garde Of the
host that now began to pour in upon us-Comanches,
Apaches, Waccos Delawares Witchitas, Arrapahoes
and Caddoes-some from camps two miles distant,
and some from the opposite side of the creek near
by; but all-men, women and children-mOunted on
ponies came gaOping in. Bucks of the lesser grade
and squaws dismounted and began the work of filing
their sacks and blankets with provender, while the
chiefs and more distinguished braves looked on in
silence or chatted with the interpreters, and no
sooner was one party supplied with provisions
than through the tall grass would come gaoping
and shouting long strings OF reinforcements. This
continued until eight O'Clock, when a shout from
the woods heraded the approach OF herd Of cattle
hom the agency.
AN INDIAN BARBECUE.
There was perfect scramble for orders for beef
Chiefs who had the day previous drawn at the
agency and killed fat Texan COW reported their
young men in starving condition, and could not
think of attending the council until they had eaten
Testimonials OF character were showed into the
hands Of the Commissioner, long energetic
speeches and other speeches explanatory or in sup
port and rebuttal of evidence pro and were ut
tered, and delightful hubbub was maintained
for an hour or more. Finally orders were given to
kill all the cattle and let the Indians help them.
selves. This they did with vengeance. Mr. jones
shot the animals and no time was lost In cutting
them up. The prairie grass was soon covered with
skins, tails, horns and entras OF animals and the
eflluvia was sckening In every direction could be
seen squaws and children running with bleeding
pieces of flesh trailing entrais, while some more
provdent than Others packed the dripping meat
on their ponies, and, mounting galloped OF to dis
tant camps In an hour there was nothing left Of
the herd of ten cows but their hoos and horns. We
from Fort Sill, and found it a difficult matter to
accommodate all the CHIEFS who kindly joined our
mess after they had gorged themselves with their
own beef. Canned fruit disappeared at an alarm
ing rate; but as Lo does not like canned oysters
and abOmlnates salmon and Worcestershire sauce
we did very well.
TAMMANY TACTICS.
Much difficulty was experienced in getting the
chiefs together for the council. The Indians In a
matter OF this kind are exceedingly slow and eau
tious and cannot be urged They have to hold their
preliminary powwows and caucuses and deter
mine among themselves beforehand what course
to take. Once they have agreed however, as to the
line OF conduct to pursue and the orators to speak,
there is never any further discussion Boss
Tweed would be delighted with these fellows.
What the chief says In council is law; there never
Is any "trouble in the party" and no one ever
dreams OF appealing from the decision OF the chair
Theirs are Tammany tactics In letter and spirit.
The "ayes always have 1t IN the Indian caucuses.
On this occasion the Indians were probably slower
than usual, for the Commissioner cOmbatted the
red tnterviewers and never dropped a hint Of the
object OF the council. About two O'Clock how
ever, movement was made toward the council
grounds, and an Indian brave, pcturesquely dressed
IN moving robe OF canvas, daubed with blue
paint and some unfortunate settlers nightcap
mounted stump and howlingy announced that
the Great Father was ready TO listen TO his red
children, and that the red children might now
step up and settle with the Great Father A party
OF the colored troopers had previously arranged
the charred beams Of Shirley's il-fated store put
the dining table In position under a tree, and
placed boxes and barrels about it for seats for
the Commissioner and party. Your commissioner
was early on the ground and secured a good posi-
ton for observation.
THE SCENE IN THE GROVE.
q The day was intensely warm, but the trees meet
ing over head protected us from the fiery rays OF
the sun, while gentle breeze from the blufr be-
yond the creek occasionally squeezed through the
encrcng brush and kept the flies In motion. The
chiefs were already In position Fronting the table
were the lam-pa-ri-ko Camanches Ten Bear
Iron Mountain, Little Crow Gap-in-the Woods: and
close by them Chewing FIX or Uuirto-Ouip 10 the
right OF these sat, smoking the pipe OF peace the
representatives OF the Arrapahoes LATHE Raven
Big Mouth, Yellow Bear, Lett Hand spotted Wolf
Curley White Crow, Yellow Horse and Little Neck
and on their extreme lett Mrs. Keith, the half
breed who lives with them and acts their inter-
prefer. This lady Is saow-faccd, tall and thin and
wears faded straight up aud down Dolly Warden.
Opposite the Arrapahoes, on the left of the table
land the outer edge OF the CIRCLE OF chiefs. sat
PAGER, chief OF the Apaches: Taw-haw, head medi-
cine man, and seven minor dlgnitarics Of that
tribe; Horseback MILKY way MoWway ana Black
nf tho Conn hos. Loeb nctly nj