The Leavenworth weekly times., 1875-03-18
THE INDIAN QUESTION.
4 Correspondent Portrays The
SGE-riugs of the Germain
Children.
How are The jaod-1Lirsty
Sa,ages To b. treated.
The Question is Forcibly An
swtrei Below.

-'@~AN- 49,
EDITOR TMEs:-I have a few items,
which thought might interest some of your
many readers, and will iot them down.
When wrote YOU last We thought that
We could see faint tint OF the silver lining
to the dark and gloomy cloud (which for
many, many months has overshadowed Us.
THE BEAUTIFUL CIRCLE
of light is widening, and we hope soon to
behold the sun in all his strength and
brightness.
1t has been said "the Indian question will
not be silent" and as usual it is Of that
question We wish TO write. On the evening
Of the lst, our hearts were gladdened and
our spirits cheefed by the safe arrival at
this agency Of
THE MISSES GERMAN,
who, for almost seven months, have been
prisoners with the hostile Cheyennes. The
youngest of these girls, Sophia, is only
twelve years old the Oldest, Catharine, sew
enteen. They are here now, carefully
guarded by detachment OF the Fifth In
fantry, and receiving the sympathy and
kindess OF all. They are very tired and
much worn and jaded, especially the eldest,
but the general health is good. Oh. for
the talent OF a Shakespeare, that | might
clearly portray the cruel treatment that
these poor, innocent victims have received
from the hands of these monsters in human
form-not that i would make relentless
Hannibals of your readers-but simply to
prove how tanatical and absurd it is to pre-
tend that such beings can be governed with
out military persuasion.
On the morning OF the llth OF September
last, while the happy family of Mr.. Ger
main vas starting ON It's days journey, with
out thought or fear OF danger, and with
out a moments warning, band Of seven
teen Indians rushed upon them, killed the
father and mother, two sisters and broth
er, and in the presence OF these poor, grief
stricken girls,
TORE TIE REL KING sCALrs
from the beloved heads, and then left the
mangled and CORY bodies for the winds Of
Heaven TO sigh their last sad requiem over,
while the heartless murtlerers hurried away,
bearing with them the four orphaned and
helpless girls.
You are doubtless aware Of the facts con-
cerning the youngest two OF these captiyes,
who were rescued by the troops, and by
them returned to their friends in Kansas
and it viii be vain to try to enter into all
the soul-harrow ng details pertaining TO the
sufierinGs of these remaining two. Suffice
it TO say that the eldest has suffered almost
all
THE INDIGNIIIEs
that it is possible for vile and wicked men
and heaItless women OF any race or people
To bestow upon fellow creature. She was
compelled to assist in the menial labor OF
the squaws. carrying heavy loads OF wood
on her sore back, and when she would re-
turn from her work with her feet wet and
cold, she was not permitted even to remove
her wet moccasins, and in this condition
her feet became badly frozen, and the nail.
dropped off. During their seven months Oi
captivity there were only four days that the
Indians were not on the move. Sometimes
they were 30 closely pursued by our troop
that they were compelled 10 travel day and
night, often, too, without food. Once in
their mad flight Sophia came near falling
from her pony, which catastrophy, she af.
firms, she would not have feared, only she
knew the Indians would kill her if she did.
The sisters were not permitted to enjoy the
solitary comfort OF left them-of being to-
sether-only when chief and his wife
Bear Shield" less cruel than the others
provided few
STOLEN INTERVIEWS
for them, by taking them 10 their 'lodge'
without the knowledge or consent of their
"proprietors" The last night before reach
ing the Agency they spent together, Lut
they could not sleep for talking Of the past
and their present prospects OF getting away.
The Indians were 10th TO release them
Internationally. In former times, they
had received pay for captiyes taken and
held by them, and they wanted to 90 back
to the palmy days OF yore, and make their
own terms, but2 seems that Gen. Neill had
unconditional, ard Agent Miles would not
talk at all, until the girls were delivered up,
and the Indians knowing that the white
chiefs were backed by goodly number of
"blue coats" concluded to be generous, and
make
THE BEST OF A BAD BARGAIN
by giving up the girls In Justice to the
few Indians who have shown a noble di-po-
sition in this sad affair, l would say that
the chief .'Stone Cali" has been very kind
to them, and has done all that he could to
have them returned in safety To their
friends. Big Horse" captive chief
worked earnestly for the same end, a. did
"Whirlwind," the good, friendly chief, and
they both offered TO exchange their ponIe:
| for them, but without success.
When the massacre took place, there wer,
two women with the seventeen warriors,
who did the killing. The Youngest Of tn,
two women, showed great kindness TO tn,
bereaved children. After weeping bitterly
over their wrongs, she also saved the life o
the youngest sister, only five years old. Al
Indian had taken aim on the little one
when this brave and noble red woman
snatched the gun away and sprang between
the murderer and the little innocent.
From all the information that we hav'
obtained, it seems that Medicine Water
was the leader Of that band. Of seventeen
and while the girls were were still will
them, they killed three Others, a man, wo
man and child, and it is supposed that tn
same brave t) party killed those six sur
veyors. Would that our would-be philan
thropic ones, who still insist that the