Connecticut western news., 1876-04-14
St. Augustine Indians.
A LETTER FROM BISHOP wH1PPLE.

A LETTER FROM BISHOP wH1PPLE. From the New York Tribune of April 1stl SIR: Many of your readers are deeply interested in the poor red men of the West. They do pity the helpless, but are power less to help them. It is not often that they find silver lining to the cloud. May write you of some Indian work which will bring joy to many Christian hearts3 You are aware that for some time past we have had trouble with the Kiowas, the Conan ches, the Cheyennes and the Arspahoes. It is the old story of our wrong-doing, the violation of treaties, until it has ended in savage war. Indian war means war Of races and the massacre of women and chil- dren. Our troops captured number of these hostile Indians. They selected some 70 warriors and chiefs and sent them as
 prisoners to Fort Marion at St. Augustine.
 Fla. A portion of these were as desperate Indian warriors as ever carried the toma- hawk and rife. A few of the chiefs were sent as hostages for the good behavior of their people. They were placed in the charge of Capt. R. H. Pratt, noble Chris tian soldier They were sullen, revenge ful, full of hate, and had to be brought in double irons. One of their number com mitted suicide on the way. It was an un- promising field for Christian civilization and missionary effort. As soon as they reached St. Augustine. Capt. Pratt selected ten of the best behaved Indians, cut t''eir hair and dresse6 them in the uniform of soldiers. A few days after he released others. In less than two weeks he was drilling all his prisoners in an organized company. They had non-commissioned officers of their own number. They guard. ed themselves in the fort and discharged every duty of we'll appointed garrison. Col. Hamilton, the former, and Gen. Dent. the present commander of the post,second- ed every effort made by Capt. Pratt. They learned by heart life's first lesson, 'to obey.' They received every kindness when they deserved it, and suffered severely for every violation of orders. There is not to- day more orderly body of soldiers in the service. a & t .-e -r -I.
 Some devoted Christian women became their teachers in school. They are begin ning to read and write. They have learned the Lords Prayer. They sing very sweet ly several Christian hymns. Twas never more touched than when entered this school. Here were men who had com- mitted murder upon helpless women and children sitting like docile children at the feet of women learning to read. Their faces have changed. They have all lost that look of savage hate, and the light of a new life is dawning upon their hearts. It was my privilege to preach to them every Sunday, and upon week days told them stories from the Bible. have never had a more attentive congregation. At times they seemed to hang upon my words as if I was messenger of life from heaven. You could see on every face that the old, old story sounded to them as 1t does to us, as they heard of One who was the friend of every one who needed a friend. Proyi dentially we had the best of interpreters. Mir. Fox speaks the Cheyenne language flu ently, and he also speaks the sign language perfectly. This sign language is common to all Indians, and MT. Fox is 30 much al home with it he could translate sermon in it so that all could understand it. The day before left St. Augustine asked the privilege of meeting the chiefs with Capt. Pratt and the interpreter. told them that came to say Good by believed God sent me to them. Their home was 2OOO miles in the Southwest. My home was 2o00 miles away in the Northwest. I did not know them, they did not know me, vel had been permitted to tell the sweet story of Gods love, and of Jesus their Saviour We shall never meet again on earth, but hoped that we should both follow the gooG trail which led to heaven. The chief Ne min-ick was silent for moment. He ther said with deep feeling: You may wonde whether your words reached me. The! did not go into my ears and then go away
 they went down, down, into my heart They will always stay there. l go t
 church now, and when see the white maI kneel, l know that he is talking to tn Great Spirit and asking for hims If a.:
 children. l too try to send one little bTea.
 of prayer to the Great Spirit that he wi
 have pity upon poor me- He said, It
 not you alone that have pointed me to th good trail ; and turning to Capt. Pratt, said: He has tried to lead me to it, b
 words are always good. I shall walk that path until die.' He choked, then rs up 10 Capt. Pratt and threw his arn
 around his neck and kissed him, first ( one cheek and then on the other. He th'
 embraced me, kissed me on both cheek
 and laid his hand on my shoulder and cri
 like a child. All the chiefs embraced
 and kissed us and were moved to tears.
 It shows that even in the most sava
 men there IS heart which can be reach
 by discipline, kindness and Christian teac
 ing. The older chiefs ought to be SC
 back to their people. They can do mu
 to keep them from joining the Sioux in [
 present war. Some of them may not Ii
 through this summer in prison. The eff,
 of their death would be very deploral
 upon their people. Some of the young
 men are very intelligent, and they ought
 be educated as teachers and craftsm,
 They ought to become the leaders of th
 people in the path of civilization.
 more convinced than ever that there is
 the slightest necessity for Indian WI
 They are the fruit of our wretched poll
 It would make our own white race Ishn
 elites to leave them without governme
 without personal rights of property, to
 the prey of the dishonest and corrupt. Ca
 prniilr.- n,,aaaas Ia dr,n Ac Ahn Enrf Ahaf