Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-05-24
a RELIC

Sbme one has sent us copy of the
Weekly Missouri Republican, of Oct.
18th 1S47. This memento of nearly
thirty years ago, revives the memory
of startling events almost forgotten.
Among other things the following
announcement in startling capitals, ap-
pears:
'Important from the City of Mexi-
co Another Battle aud Another
Victory THE armistice terminated
Battle of the Mill del Rey-Report-
cd rcpulsc of our army with heavy
loss-Rumors of the deaths Of Gems.
Smith. Worth and Pillow-Battle of
Chapultcpec--Great American victo-
ry--Our troops take possession of the
Capital--Gens. Bravo and Leon kill
ed and Santa Anna Wounded"
The same paper has a scathing ar
ticle on the Administration of Frank
Pierce (Democratic) in regard to the
management of Indian affairs. The
Republican says:
I'VE regret to learn that consider
able excitement exists among the Sac
and Fox Indians, because of the treat
ment which they have received from
the United States government. We
are told, but cannot vouch for the
truth of the report, that so great is the
dissatisfaction of the tribe and SO i'm
possible has it been to do Justice to
them, from the violation. by the Uni
| ted States. of the treaty stipulation,
that the agent, Major, Beach, who has
been with them for eight years, has
been compelled TO resign his Office
The Sacs and Foxes, for several years
past-in fact ever since the Black
Hawk war--have been peaceable, and
rely entirely and implicitly upon the
treaty stipulations for support and
protection. During the past summer
| they visited the agency, as they were
accustomed to do, Cor their ration.
and annuities. But from some Nn-
explained cause, neither could be
paid them without further instruc-
I.tions from Washington, and they
were, consequently, kept about the
lageacy, suffering, not only for food,
but for water, until disease set in up
on them, and hundreds have fallen
victims to the neglect OF the Commits
sioner OF Indian Affairs at Washing
ton. So loud, says our informant,
became the demand for relief, that
the agent, rather than endure the dis
tress which he was compelled to wit
\ ness every day, paid over the annui-
4 ties of money without the requisite
instructions from the Department,
and then resigned his post. se
This calaniity--it' our information
may be relied upon, and we know no
reason 10 doubt its entire accuracy
is entirely attributed to the inefficient
manner in which the Indian Bureau,
under the sHperiatendence of the
Commissioner. of Indian Affairs, Mr..
Medill, of Ohio, is conducted. This
lis not the first instance where we
fhave been informed OF the gross neg
lligence, and iaditfcl ence to the calls
of Humanity justly chargeable against
/ this officer. Heis a partizan politi-
lcian, tots i9uorant of his duties,
and Of thg character aud wants of the
people ovei' II hom ko Is appointed to
exercise Sontral--in fact, it is said,
that he gives but little attention to
his office, or its duties, finding more
h cangeilial amusements in other parts
of Washington.
So il seems there has been times
when Democratic Administrations
twerc guilty OF mismanagement and
that people have not yrewn to be
mucl, worse than they used to be-
! Major Beach. tile Indian Agent al
ludrd TO in the above article, was q
fresidcnt of Agency City, in this coun
ty, and died at that place recently
4 He was Democrat, but was honest
kind and faithful to his charge.