Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-05-03
From the Far West.
VANCOUVER ARSENAL, W. T.,
Anr1 1Gtl 1910

VANCOUVER ARSENAL, We,
April 18th, 1878. I
FRIEND TOMAN-Deur Sir:-Judg-
ing from your kindness IN having pub
llshed my two recent letters from here.
and knowing from experience the gen.
eral desire Of the people Of your part of
the country to hear news pertaining to
this favored section, I infer thereby
that you also appreciate and desire
whatever matter that might give infor-
nation OF such character to the readers
OF your excellent paper. Therefore, |
again send you a few thoughts on gen
eral matters. But ere | attempt to do
so, | most truly confess that | lamenta-
bly, lack the ability to do full justice to
portray the varied natural advantages
and beauties OF this genial country.
Nature is now beautifully arrayed in
her gorgeous spring garb, and, from the
present appearance Of all kinds Of fruit
raised here, there is great reason to ex-
pect an enormous crop. When in bloom
the trees exceed, in beauty and promise,
every such scene that l ever beheld in
any other country. But there is danger
to be apprehended yet from frost, as
the spring is more than usually ad-
vanced. The weather now is most
charming, but cool at night. The grain
also, indicates an enormous, heavy yield
throughout this Territory and Oregon.
l recently saw, growing in several fields,
winter wheat almost knee high, and of
such rank growth, that sheep were turn
ed into it to browse it down. The own
er of the grain told me that he expected
a yield therefrom of 80 bushels per acre.
There is a larger area in wheat here
than ever before, in consequence of the
large increase Of population and the
rapid settlement of the public domain,
especially that excellent and fertile
portion thereof that embraces the east
ern part Of this Territory and Oregon,
and where there is yet abundance to be
had. But some Of the people here ap-
prehend that an injury to the general
welfare Of that portion might occur
from it's too rapid settlement, by reason
Of over raising more than the present
method of transportation can accommo:
date. The great need for insuring per-
manent and continued prosperity, is to
connect this country, by rail road, with
the middle and eastern states.
The general desire here is, that Con-
gress will extend the time to the N. p.
r. r. Co., so that they can build the un-
completed portion of the road. But
that heartless, great monopoly and riv-
al, the U. p. and G. p. Road, will place
every obstacle in the way against it's
construction, so as to thereby profit by
their eXtortiOnate rates, irrespective Of
that noble maxim which recommends to
live and let live.
Although we lack a through rail road,
we do not lack its indispensable accom-
paniment, that great dissemination of
news, the telegraph. W. get the news
here almost as quickly as at New York.
The European question excites as much
interest in our midst here, as the same
does, in comparison to the number, in
the most business portion of the coun-
try. The varied sympathies of each
are for those whom they wish success.
But selfish interest, with many, makes
them regardless of the misery and de-
structlon which inevitably results from
war, if they can but gain by the necessi-
ties that it produces.
AS L promised a variety, | will now
proceed to give my views upon the
changes hat have occurred among the
Indians since | left here IS years ago.
The tribes inhabiting this section are
all quiet, and | think will we remain
so. They are fast relinquishing their
former habits of l~istless idleness and
wandering, to that of supporting them
selves and families by industry. Very
many of them are farming, and they
seem to prosper by it. They bring their
produce to market and are treated by
the whites with as much kindness and
consideration as of their own race. The
habit of industry and self support with
them, as well as with whites, is a great
incentive to produce economy and civil
lization. Indian troubles would soon
be a thing Of the past, if the govern
ment would assign to each tribe a GER
tain portion of territory for their sup
port, supplying them at first with the
necessary implements and seed, and
practical men to teach them how to
work. Then, after a certain period,
withdraw from giving them annuities
or food, they would then, of necessity, be-
come habituated to labor, which would
also have the effect to subdue their wild
natures and win them we to christian
ity and civilization. But first, the Gov
eminent would have to demonstrate to
them its ability to make them comply
and live peaceably under the law. By
such a method only, can their condition
be benefited and advanced. There is a
strong presentiment in army circles here,
that the Indians of the interior medi-
tate hostilities during the coming sum-
mel. under the lead of General Sitting
Bull and other noted chiefs. There are
30 Nez Perces Indian prisoners, con-
fined at the Post here. They are part
Of the Joseph Band. They surrendered
themselves to General Howard, after
the battle of Clear Water. | went last
Sabbath to the chapel, which adjoins
the guard-house, to have the opportuni-
of seeing them, and to hear the chaplain
of the Post preach. The Indians par
ticipated in the services by singing
hymns in the Indian language, which
they done in a very creditable manner.
| don't think that they understood much
VI UlC SCI Hull, Dut VIC CHdpldln az
dressed them afterwards. The govern
ment interpreter, a well educated Indi-
an, who is a son of a chief (Reuben), of
their own tribe, interpreted the chap
lain's remarks. He told them that they
deserved praise for their general good
conduct, and for their effort and inter
est in learning and singing hymns. He
told them that he believed that they
were more sociable and agreeable with
each other than the whites. He prom
ised them that he would report the
same to General Howard, after he shall
have arrived from Washington. They
seem to be greatly impressed with a
deep n of religious feeling. In phys
ical appearance some of them are very
tall, powerful, digniied and self possess
sed. They were always friendly to the
whites, until the outbreak under their
Chief, Joseph. They were undoubtedly
provoked to do it by the wrong done
them by both the settlers and the gen
eral government, and in fighting for
their rights, they nobly demonstrated
their generous and humane character,
by not killing or m%utilating the wound
ed, as is the invariable custom of almost
all other Indians, and withal they are
credited as being the best and bravest
warriors of the Indian race.
There is one or two subjects just
come in my thoughts, and which might
have been more interesting to the many