The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-10-05
, Letter from West virEinian Away
Out In the Extreme Northwest.

VANCOUVER, WYOMING, Sept. 81, 1878.
Editors IstellIseneer.
Along while since i promised to write
something occasionally for your paper.
My missionary work has, however, pre-
vented me from finding time. TO fulfill that
promise. For the PRESENT. am located in
the City OF Vancouver, and having little
more leisure will try to redeem my prom
ise. 7ii0 bHg st1i7q llg7 JTsC
Vancouver Is one OF the oldest towns on
the North Pacific coast. A company OF
English traders, known as the Old North
west. Company, located their principal
post OF business here in Tor about 1921. In
lS25 the Hudson Bay Company succeeded
them in the possession OF this place, and
for several years after everybody wis
came to this country, almost, came to VAN
couver. rriaI 7'as
The headquarters OF the military OF the
department OF the Columbia are located
here, General Howard commanding. The
General, with many OF the soldiers who
were engaged in the Indian War last sum-
mer, have returned, and have taken up
quarters here for the winter. The General
IS entitled to q great deal OF credit forthe
successful manner in which, he has prose-
cuted the war. The hostiles have been
whipped and Chief Moses has been treated
with. -l.- l'a.' IN lF',i ! !
Many Of the people here, however, have
no faith in the present policy OF treating
with the Indians. They think the only
way to secure permanent peace is to
abolish all tribal relations among them and
make them subject to the laws and courts
OF the country the same as white men are.
Moses is satisfied now for q little while OF
course, A large tract Of land, 20 by 100
miles, has been set apart for him, and his
tribe, that in addition to the 3,500, 900
already set apart for reservations makes
quite large tract of country, comprising
the best OF the lands Of the Territory.
II the Indians would improve and culti-
vale these lands the cession OF even so
large a tract would, perhaps, be all right.
But this they do not and will not do. The
men hunt and fish, while the squaws cul-
tiyate a little patch here and there alter a
fashion scarcely worthy to be called euiti-
vation. Do
Chief Moses having the right to declare
war will probably exercise his prerpgauve
about next summer and his noble red men
will steal property and murder citizens
until our christian general with, his brave
followers again drives them into corner
and whips them. ,at.ttE7 a''lf
roLIT1cs. ...
The Democratic party have gone
through the usual for1nality Of holding q
Convention, passing resolutions and
adopting q platform, uponJ which Mr.
Cation, OF Walla Walla, stands as their can
didate for Congress. The constitution
formed in the early summer-hy the Con-
yention will submitted TO the people at
the coming election. Some Of the provi-
sions Of this constitution differ materially
from those OF other States upon kindred
subjects, Church buildings and lots, and
even the pulpit and Bible that the. e.minis-
ter uses in preaching the gospel 70 the
neople, are TO be taxed No species OF
property will be exempted from taxation,
except school houses and State property
So Won see. we are way ahead oiyou old
iocies In the East Our political wise acres
think that Christianity ought not to be en-
couraged. They propose to allow It 70 e1-
ist provided it pays its WAY, that and nom
ing more. Christianity will not be en-
couraged here; we are all too smart tor
that.
FF-iIE I GREAT FIRES Or}IS,
Very extensive fires have prevailed in
the rural districts OF this county = IN TACT,
many places throughout the entire valley
: for the last two weeks. Many farmers
have lost houses, fencing and eyerything.
These losses were no sooner known in the
city than immediate steps were taken ior
The relief OF the sufferers; so that must
say for this country that tits people are. are a as
generous 10 donate money the relief Of
their suffering fellows asanyIl ever met
anywhere. The fires have Been gotten
under control, and the rains OF to-day
have doubtless extinguished the Last ot
them. .sE -,
In my next will try to give your read
ers some information about our netghbor-
ing city, Portland. l,4,-rIgyr Nfpt
.