The New York herald., 1874-09-19
General Survey Of the In
dian Difficulties.
HIS PEACEFUL PLANS
The Red Chiefs Danger in the
Recent War Council.
A LETTER INDITED TO THE HERALD.
LODGE OF KICKING BIRD, !
ON CACHE CREEK, NEAR FORT SILL, !
Sept. O. 1874.

terview held by your correspondent with the cele-
brated chief Kicking Bird, OF the Klowa tribe of
Indians heretofore hostile. and one OF the most
warlike, dangerous and best fighting tribes of the
Plains. l was the recipient Of the hospitality of
Kicking Bird at his invitation extended to me
through Mr.. George w. Fox, one Of the traders
agents here, who has been among the Indians for
some six years past, speaking the Comanche
language perfectly, which he has learned
trading with them, and through his acting
as interpreter was enabled to obtain the full and
suggestive interview below. In addition to 1t
also enclose letter to the NEW YORK HERALD
from Kicking Bird direct, with his signature ap-
pended, made by him, his hand having been
guided by Mr.. Fox, and the same is witnessed by
him to its truth anu the accuracy OF the state
ment made by this powerful and intelligent chief
BY way OF explanation as to what called It forth
! will state that on the evening mentioned by
Kicking Bird | was in his company on the way to
his camp to have 'big talk" Having proceeded
part of the way on our journey some voley firing
was heard about two miles Off in the direc-
tiOn Of the government agency farm, fol-
lowed by what seemed a return fire, and
then some file firing. Although the wind
was blowing strong the quick and practced ear
OF this handsome Indian chief heard the sudden
firing before your correspondent, and suddenly
halting he listened attentively and seemed to be
much concerned and startled by 1t. 1t was about
dark, and being somewhat disturbed and appre-
hensive as to the cause OF the unusual occurrence
he suggested that turn back in the direction Of
the sound made by the musketry We acquiesced,
passing on our return messenger riding at full
speed, who had been sent by the Indian Agent to
the post Tor troops to protect him, and to proceed
where the vOlley was supposed to have been fired,
carrying with it the conviction that party OF
twenty soldiers who were down on the govern
ment farm had been attacked and possibly mur-
dered by
BAND OF RAIDING INDIANS.
l.. This belief was at the time shared in by Kicking
Bird. AS the cavalry did not arrive speedily, af-
ter waiting fifteen minutes Kicking Bird and Mr..
Fox agreed to proceed alone to the spot and find
out the true state OF the case and facts. Your
correspondent agreed to accompany them so as to
share in the information, and so we started Off to-
gether, accompanied by Mr. FarrOn, OF the Agency,
to make the scout through the suspected district
he acting as guide. The night was somewhat
dark. whipping up my Indian pony we started
Off at a trot, in Indian file, Kicking Bird
riding just in front OF your correspondent;
and splendid study he was as he rode
along majesticay, his fine form almost rigidly
erect On we rode, through bypaths, deep
ravines, gulches and Indian trails, where no road
was dlscernible amid the tall underground and
!
and then plunging through fields, brush and
| ravines, we made circuitous search for about q
circle Of three four miles, and visiting the camp
OF the detachment in the cornfe!d, whom we
found all right but ignorant of the firing, every
object was scrutinized and every sign eX-
amined, but no tran or evidence OF an
enemy being found nor anything to explain
the mysterious lusilade until we came to an
Indian herder in an open field encrcled by a
belt OF cottonwood trees. He explained the mat
ter by informing us that the relief guard on their
way to the camp had discharged their arms for
iun and to clean out their pieces. Somewhat re-
heved we dashed on back to the friendly Indian
camp where Kicking Bird wrote his letter. AS we
pufIed our cigarettes together costly and went
over the proposing OF the questions (Which were
already written out by me) and the indting of the
answers made by the Indian chief when trans
lated by Mr.. George Fox, Kicking Bird really
loomed up as model Of symmetry and ntelli-
gence, preserving throughout, in dignifed manners,
graceful gestures and calm exterior except when
once or twice stirred by the cogency and direct
ness ofthe interrogatories), the perfect semblance
OF gentleman by nature, an instructive diplomat
and courter OF the Pains, which is his acKnowl.
edged characteristic both with the officers here
and those who meet him casually as have.
KICKING BIRDS PORTRAIT.
Let me describe him briefly thus "A fine FORM
about five feet ten inches in height we'll knit mus
cular, tawny arms broad, deep chest, covered with
sinews that stand out 1rmly and rising in layers Of
clearly defined tissue welts; sloping shoulders.
graceful but thicKly veined neck; remarkably
fine face, with round, iull and firm set jaws, sur.
mounting handsomely chiseled mouth and
pointed. clear cut chin, exqulsitely regular, and
pearly white teeth; eyes, the blended color Of
mountain gray ana brown prairie, sharp aud pene
trating. governed sometimes by seemingly care
less but scrutlniZng expression which does not
appear to be occupied with the object they are
stealthily searching; broad forehead, Indian like
heavy, black glossy hair, neatly cOmbed, o
streak OF red pant ornamenting according to
their custom, the parting Of 1t. with the scalp
lock carefully plated. and an eagle claw and
feathers ornamenting the end OF it. This, with in
Vulnerable silver rings hanging like fringe on
the outer lap of the ears, will form the true
descriptive features of Kicking Birds physlog.
nomy. And 1t must not be omitted 10 state that
he has small, snewy. graceful hands and small
feet, which are controlled by a studied graceful.
ness and decorum. His gestures, even when in
ordinary conversation, If initiated, would vastly
improve many OF the grotesque and clumsy ges-
ticuations as set down In the school books for
defamation and gesticulation for the guidance OF
incipient orators. To one who has made his
acquaintance and to those in authority his manner
is pleasing, affabe ana polite in high degree
when In conversation. At other times he Is as
reticent, reserved and dlgnined as my lord Conk.
ling OF the Senate.
l proceeded quietly with my questioning, to
which he responded with alacrity, but thought-
fully, as iollOws:--
INTERVIEW WITH KICKING BIRD.
"You have heard OF the efforts Of the HERALD to
throw hgnt on the Indian question, so a. to secure
incto RI tha Iulia ora ar,o
safe by close observance OF law; what 60 you
think Is the best way to Obtain all these ends,
that you and all the gooo Indians may live IN peace
| with the white man?n
KICKING BTRD-lt is very hard to say what
should be done now with the good Indians in this
regard, but we must go on doing all we can am
very glad you came from the great captain paper,
and want you to spread out to the whole people
| our views and the demands OF the Indians great