The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1874-07-31
M i s @ elLane Gus
For The -HEgiS md MteAigencer.
Letter From Nebraska.

Letter From Nebraska.
TABLE Rock, NEB., July 18th, 1874.
AS you are no doubt just now being in
terested in the subject of Indian depreda-
tions, lowing to the Indian difficulties in
the northwestern part of this State, Kan
sas, etc., thought few words of infor.
nation, III regard to the "red man" of this
section, might be entertaining to your
readers. am right between two reserva-
tions. The Iowas, Sacs and Foxes twenty
five miles east, and the Otoes twenty-five
or thirty miles west. have frequent op-
portunities of seeing them, for they visit
back and forth quite often, hence the sight
OF an Indian is no longer novelty. The
Sacs, Foxes and Iowas, en- masse' recently
paid visit to the Otoes, and on last Thurs
day night reached this place on their re-
turn home to their reservation near "White
Cloud" Station, A. and N. r. r. The first
l saw of them on their arrival, was re-
turning to my house after dark from pro-
tessional call, (my house is at the extreme
western limits of the town. and as came
near my premises observed three stalwart
male figures approach my door. After a
short survey of the premises they met your
humble correspondent, and accosted him
with something like "umph, ugh, MAJOR"
whilst their costumes, gestures, ETC., rem
dered our meeting rather exciting. How
ever their intentions were not bad, they
did not "remove my hat" | sent them
away by the motion of my hand, hurrying
in to inform my wife. was surprised to
learn that they were in large numbers en-
camped near our house on block of va
cant lots south ofour street. On awakening
the next morning, our eyes witnessed what
we never saw before, an Indian camp. A
little after sunrise in company with two
friends, paid them q visit. They num-
bered over one hundred, had about fifteen
teams, suppose over one hundred horses,
ponies and colts, and perhaps a dozen cows
The squaws were up and at work in earn
est, bringing water and wood, making
fires, getting breakfast, etc., etc; whilst
their lazy lords were lying in, and under
the wagons, and scattered in every direc-
ton rolled up in their blankets fast asleep.
Breakfast ready, they began to roll out
and grease their hair preparatory to eating.
We felt like suggesting soap, hot water,
towels, combs, etc. They were of both
sexes and of all ages, from the old gray
chief down to the sucking pappoose.
There were three chiefs, Tar-ra-ka and
To-he, of the Iowa tribe; and Co-sha-we,
of the Sacs and Foxes; also two U. S. in
terpreters. Having some conversation with
the Interpreter of the Sacs and Foxes
invited him to my house to have talk.
His English name is George Comes; his
Indian name is a-pa-na-ka-na-ca
which he says interpreted means "a bear
climbing q hickory tree and pulling off
nuts with its paw" So about 10 o'clock
A. NJ, Mr.. and Mrs. Wa-pa-na-ka-na-ca
daughter and grand-pappoose approached
our door in full regala; after introducing
them to my wife, Wa-pa -na-ka -na-ca be-
gan talking freely, his family said nothing,
but while he entertained us with much in
ter sting information, and the little pap
poose tumbled over the floor, the wife and
daughter began inspecting our household
effects. Judging from their alterations
of smiles and frowns, to them some articles
of our furniture were pleasing; other things
were simply disgusting. In short time
the lordly -pa-na-ka-na-ca babe his
family to return to camp which they did
then he told US of his visits to Washington,
d. c., and his idea of the Indian question
He thinks the bad Indians like other bad
men are workers of mischief; thinks he
has or ought to have the same right to vote
that the black man has thinks no agent
should interfere with the Indians in their
sports thinks horse racing, cards, etc. in
nocent amusements il no betting is DONE
Believes in God, in II heaven and hell, but
says most of the Indians still believe in
thunder and snakes, etc. Says Indians
will ever be Indians. Their former agent,
Major G. II. Norris, resides here, and they
mildly requested him to treat them to
good fat steer. He declined but was COM
PEELED, in order to get rid of them to, give
them several pounds of sugar, coffee and
candy. Major N. was consistent agent,
and can ill afford to thus accommodate
them. He says two years ago they came
here and he undertook to feed them and
failed after giving them three or four fat
sheep. About the middle of the afternoon
they took their departure. Wa-pa-na-
ka na-ca babe us warm farewell, invited
us to visit him and impressed us favorably.
Poor red man, your history is, to say
the least Of it, sad one.
LATE OF FALLsToN.