Litchfield enquirer., 1875-05-06
For the Litch6eld Enquirer. WESTERN KANSAS.

THE NOBLE RED MEN OF THE PLAINS.
 The Pawnees were the most powerful tribe of Indians on the plains until the small pox broke out among them in 1882, and full one-half of the nation were de- stroyed. The Otoes, Omahas, Osages, Kansas, Cheyennes, and Arappahoes, were subordinate tribes; the Sioux were also a powerful tribe and occupied the region of the Platte. The stream of overland emi- grafton to California which commenced in 1S49, caused the United States govern ment to make treaty with the tribes east of the mountains, for the purpose of se- curing the right of peaceful transit over their lands and fixing the boundaries be- tween the different tribes. The Cheyennes and Arappahoes were assigned the terri tory commencing ''where the road leaves the north Platte, thence to its source, to the main ridge of the Rocky Mountains to the source of the Arkansas, and eastward to the crossing of the Santa Fe trail" In 1858, gold and silver were discovered Tn the mountains of Colorado, and Thousands of fortune seekers who, by the terms of the treaty, possessed nothing but the fright of way took possession for the purpose of mining; and, against the ear nest protest of the Indians. founded cities, established farms, opened roads, and crowded the Indians eastward upon the plains The indiscriminate slaughter of . camp of Indians, including women and children. known as the Sand Greek Slaughter" by regiment and battalion of militia from Denver, caused the say ages to reek their vengeance on the settlers of Western Kansas brother of White Antelope, who was killed at toe Sand Greek massacre. with war party, crossed the Smoky Hill to the Saline settlements, murdered several men and captured and outraged several women. Similar murders and outrages were committed on Bacon's Creek and on the Solomon Fork. ,Adiu- tant General McAfee reported from Asher Creek: "Eight men buried, three missing. five wounded, forty families and two hun dred persons destitute of provisions. .cloth- ing, and bedding, and every farm for thir- ty miles, except one, deserted"
 The Indian war that followed the Sand Creek Slaughter cost the government thirty millions of dollars. and, during the season of l665, withdrew not less than eight thousand troops from the effective force engaged in suppressang the Rebel liong The treaty of 1867 was of short du- ration, and Indian depredations have con- tinued ap te the present time:~s No less than thirty persons are known to have been murdered within the limits of Kan sas, the present year; among them the Germain family on their way to Colorado. were surprised on Smoky Hill, the whole family slain except two girls aged F and 15. who were carried into captivity and eompelled tozbe the mistresses of Stone Calf and another chief. Medicine Water
 We met, a day or two since, young off eer of the 9th D. s. Cavalry who had inst returned from Fort Sill and whose indig- nation seemed to be beyond control that these Two t.fendss' should be simply re- strained from their liberty, and, as he ex- pressed il, be kept and fed st the military post like '.nabobs, :" instead of being per shaded to depart for their happy hunting grounds by the logic of Colt and sharpea shootera Two boys. one a lad of only 15, neighbors of ours.- whose father and
 br0thar Heea eafhaxipg 6n1sio bones, west of here. were surprised by. 2 party of In .dianss The two heyss heing alone might have secured then retreat hut one of them determined to save the team, hsroically stood his ground, and brought down four
 sayages before he was slain. As soon as ths grass starts sufficiently for the Indian ponies to thrive. this season, we think t moDhle that the zeatlszs savsges will be |agein- on the ''war-path," and we have no thopss of permanent peace until they are exterminated or absorbed into civilized