The New York herald., 1874-12-26
THE INDIANS.

INTERVIEW WITH BIO RED FOOD, THE FAMOUS
CHIEF OF THE CoMANcHEs--oNE WHO NEVER
ASKED FAVOR OF THE WHITE MAN.
MILITARY GUARD House, FORT SILL, l. TIL
Dec. Il, 1874.
sprucely garbed sentinel with polished brasses
and shining ri1e walking his beat the evenings
frost; large. square stone prison building with
forbidden bars, group Of savage Indian chiefs in
riveted irons with Q white desperate and q half
Indian half negro "what Is it' named Dick,
among them, makes up the scene as your corre-
spondent arrives here to interview the brave, fierce
and moody Comanche chief, Pla-rech-kup, or Big
Red Food, or Big Buffalo Bu or meat, as he 10 COM
monty known, having led the Noconee tribe 1t
will be remembered, at the battle 0f the Washita
Agency in August last, when General Davidson
went there to bring the insubordinate Indians to
terms. HIS wonderful escape, when running the
gauntlet through company OF soldiers, BY whom
he was surrounded and fred upon, and his subse-
quent night to the Plains. are the main events
which have OF late rendered him famous. Prior
to this he was known as one or the most daring,
desperate and remorseless warriors when In the
field, and man who, from his very herceness OF
courage, guided by an iron nerve, has oeen held
up among the Indians, and, indeed, regarded by
the white man as
ONE WHO ASKED NO FAvORS
win." As q companion picture to the interview
had with Kicking Bird, l thought perhaps the
views Of Big Red Food, or Pia-rech-kup, might be
interesting to your readers. Mr.. Frank. the Official
interpreter At the agency, accompanied me. Az
first Big Rcd Food seemed unapproachaDle and
wrapped in his rigid, sullen and awe-inspiring
reserve. but upon being informed that came to
see him as your correspondent lie Immediately
relaxed hts taciturn manner and said, IL am glad
the great chief paper, the HERALD, takes an inter-
est IN the Indian,r wnen the following coloquy
took place.
TALKEE WITH BIG RED FOOD.
CoRREsPoNDENT-Do you remember me as being
present at the washita Agency on the day you
had the pow-wow with General Davidson. when
the hight with your tribe and the Kiowas occurred
BIG RED FooD-No scanning me closely with
his piercing, tiger, bloodshot eyes) there were so
many white men present aud there was such
great excitement don't remember you.
CORRESPONDENT-You are spoken OF as very
brave Chief and think you will tell the truth.
Would you like to give me an account OF your ex-
pcrience from the time the soldiers came to the
wasnita Agency, and say how this war looks to
your
BIG RED FooD-t has never been my custom to
make much OF talk with Q chief in council but
have often spoken with the agent when among my
people. never spoke U u newspaper Culcis IL II
business have not been used to. I went IN and
camped on the Wasnita, near the agency, and had
gone to see the agent as ret after had started
from the west from Pecan creek. was only CON-
ing in with my people, and having heard that
there were great many Mexlcans near the post,
at Fort sill, was afraid OF losing my stock II
came In here. and moved over 10 the Indian
agency at washita. would ike to state Why
was out at Pecan Creek. When the medicine man
came from the Quahadas-I mean him who had
been
OUT ON THE PLAINS,
don't know where ne is now-we went out
there to see him, and then, with the Chcyennes
and the Quahadas. q military organization was
formed, and they proposed to take charge OF my
young men. got them together and asked by
what authority this was done. We resolved to
leave them there and then. We did not skulk
away, but left openly. They wanted the whole
together to ioin and 60 out on the Plains. co.
jected. They wanted to compel US 10 go on,
though they did not say where they wanted US TO
co. and wanted TO compel the friendly indians
VINO had stayed near the agency to go with them
to the Pains. They did not say Tor what when
had returned to the " ashita Agency, while vas
there the soldiers came TO- my camp. and tne
soldier chief General }. W. Davdsonl asked me
70 give up my gun and alterward my bows and
arrows. had a gun, and had no bows and arrows.
GIVEN UP NY GUN.
The talk there did not understand very Wen. J
did not understand Jones' do not think be 10 q
good Comanche talk. Tncn they wanted me TO
come right over to Fort Sf Agency. nv young
men had gone 10 kill beef and could not Get them
altogetne Immediately ~ start ! mad aDout
forty young men; can't tell exactly. was
frightened The soldiers we're around and my
people were stampedeu and they ran or | ran
TOO. We went 10 a nth TO LOOK about Tor our
women. They we're gone and we didn't know
wnere. Then followed tnen tran ana overlook
them. Tney had thrown away everything they
had and we're IeellnX very badly. As went With
tnem ! told them that my friends tor Ielauves
the soldiers. had frightened me oil without intend
Ing It. My heart told me did not undersland their
intention. and as l went round with my people
lelt SAD. As went on some distance the kiowas.