New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-25
STARVATION OF INDIANS.

KA WITHOUT FOOD-APPEAL TO THE SOLDIERS
BY THE INDIANS FOR SOMETHING TO EAT
TO the Edttor OF the Tribune
SIR: The telling strokes that you have been
dealing the Indian Department through the columns OF
THE TRIBUNE have been kecnly appreciated by all dish
terested readers For more than threo years past nave
been so situated as to be frequently brought into contact
with the tribes OF Sioux and Arapahoes, sometimes for
weeks together and my opportunities for observing their
habits customs and Of living have been particu-
iarly favorable My experience has convinced me that
these people have been sinned against than sin
ming and that instead Of being universally condemned
for their msdeeds they deserve infinite credit for Their
forbearance under ongc0ntinued abuse and In)usuco
The result of my experience that in every case OF IN
dian outbreak OF raids murders other outrages COM
mtted by them II we Investigate the matter thoroughly
and penetrate the root of tho evil we VIII invariably
find q white man. do not pretend TO be an admirer Oh
the Indian far from IT, But unless one resolutely shuts
his eyes to transactions of daily about US here
or is dead to barest principles of justice he can only
admit that the Indians in this district are enduring OPP
preston that the mcanost spirited whites would rather
die than tolerate II exaggcraton to say that some
these Indians literally starving. and in this asser
ton do not hesitate to say that will be supported by
any white civil or military now at this agency,
and not in way connected with the Indian Depart
ment.
Within two miles Of the military post OF Camp Robin
son ia a village of about 200 lodges of Arrapahoes.
These Indians are quiet peaceaDe, poorly armed and
have only few ponies. As this country Is destitute OF
game, they entirely dependent for food on the
agency They supposed TO receive every tenth
They have not received any ratons May 80 the
day consisting Of salt pork and tobacco boh
indians nsthrd tho usual ration. The day they
received few small steers the hrst III twenty days'
They throDging the post and cavalry camp mere beg
ging for bread. meat or any article OF 1000 Men ant
visit the back yards and sop barrels ana i eau
itV auQhs "A
successive days | have seen them around mi, a., PIT
into which my cook throws the refuse OF hs
of bread old b0ncs-anythng that can be eaten. line
hooking old man with handsome gray hair hanging over
his shoulders came to this morning with two 50 bills
in his hand which he offered me- saying in 9r TsS Gn
TO swap and recommended him to the agent. He re,
piled, He got none-no meat no flour; none none l
nc replied what knew. mo he got none" told him
could do nothing for him With Respondent, almost
ds e many ar re %S s eep he eat
none Agent, he got trader he got nome He say,
lie say come tomorrow. go tomorrow. train no come
dunno. My six papoose he eat none-onc, two three
rarely give to these people. While there can be no
question as to their fitness as subjects Of cna n se
expect soldier to possess all the cardinal virtues
for l3 month Much less then can you expect 70 ma
the gift OF moderation II you give TO one OF them
ne SS e1s them nay Ss
ular proportion until you would soon have an entire tribe
feel injured f refuse them second appl-
cation SO is policy to harden your heart and lock up
your pantry But the old mans distress was too much
FOR my hard heart and my cook gave him what he could
find He offered to pay for it. and when the money was
refused with emphatic How, how. he started OIL ut
a great pace for the village and his " six papoose
ffs case ia Of hundreds. They are starving and
their papooses starving They have ponies that they
want TO swap, and money that they want to pay for
PROVISIONS but the provisions are not TO be had. The
agent has the trader has none The post commits
sary officer is allowed to sell to them, and they
not allowed TO of the reservation to buy hey were
allowed,
so they are To starye The children are perfect
little skeletons, and legs like stems, and faces
bony gant and old looking, with ashy, unnatural
complexion that at once attracts attention woman
had OF them, little threeyear-Old half-breed child
with lovely brown eyes, light hair and fair complexion,
the post to-day trying to trade him OIL Tor sack OF
-four Now somebody is certainly TO blame for this state
Of affairs. Somebody is responsible for the starving OF
these people. They have submitted to the authority OF
the Government and this is their reward Who blame
IT, starved into desperation they leave their roser
vaton kill cattle that do not belong TO them and shoot
man VINO rcssts them? Would not you or be tempted
to do the thing under similar circumstances, Mr.
EditOrl NJ
Red cloud A0eney, Neo., June 7. 1875.