Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-07-30
STARVING sAvAcEs.

STARVING SAvAGEs.
BritisA Northwest Territory Case ssof
asCanMAeaaism
Chisago Times Telegram.
Rembina, Dakota territory, July 1T3he
Bahleford Herald, Of June SO, pnhlteheaat
tn capftal,o of the Canadian northwes terri.
tories, at the junction Of the Battle river
with the Saskatchewan, some eight hundred
miles northwest of Winnipeg, contains the
following articles, showing the imminent
danger Of the present Indian situation:
In our last issue We noticed the departure
of the Blackfeet and Sarcees, and it was
thought we had seen the last. Of them ; but
it was not to be, for they are back again.
They found the south Saskatchewan too
high to cross, and there being nothing there
10 feed them till the waters subeided, they
returned 10 Battleford, where they arrived
On the and 18th inst. The condition
of these Indians is deplorable in the ex-
IRENE. Accustomed all their lives to diet
consisting largely Of animal food, the rations
of -four and tea they receive here leave
them but one remove from starvation. The
position Of Dickson, the acting superin.
tendent, is also one Of imrnsise difficulty.
In addition to the ordinary dnties OF his Of
fee he has to deal single-handeds with a
thousand starving Indians. Meat is
not to be had; neither can
he order any BY telegraph nor place him
self in communication with the government
or the heads of his department by other
means than the semi-occasional mail with
we are favored. "A season is lost be-
fore an nswer cam be secured. The Black
feet and Sarcees are quite willing to work
for their food, and in order to give them
employment that will both supply them
with food the meantime and,impart in
struction that will be useful to them here
after, Dickson has opened up an Indian
farm about six miles from here, which the
Indians are now engaged in fencing and
preparing for next years crop. The work
is being done under the superintendency of
Edward Thomas, who Is decidedly the right
man in the right place. The farm is on
the new road to the Eagle Hills reserve,
and consists Of as fine a piece of land as lies
in or on this side of Manitoba. Some parts
of the prairie abound with a tuber here
called Wild turnip,' Of which immense num-
bers are gathered daily. In appearance it
is like a sweet potato, and may be eaten raw
or cooked or dried and ground, into -four.
1t has the singular property Of being edible
at all seasons. from the opening of spring
till the ground freezes. Wild rhubatb is
also largely eaten, and were it not for these
generally despised weeds the sutferings of
these people would have been greatly inten-
SIZED. They have sold horses for flour un-
til the market is 50 completely glutted that
no more can be disposed Of. On the 26th
inst, the whole of the Indians
united in performing the hungry
dance, after which they had q
talk with Lieut.. Gov. Laird. The chiefs
and head men Of the several tribes and
bands severally laid their sufferings before
his honor and asked fer some meat, tea and
other things. In reply he explained to
them that he was no longer their chief, but
that they must now look TO Mr.. Dickinson.
He further showed them that, as their visit
was evidently unexpected and unforeseen,
no provision could be made to meet their
case, and that 40 pork or premican could
now be obtained here. He then told them
that he had heard Dickinson say that be in
tended TO give them something, and no
doubt be would keep his promise. The
chiefs seemed quite satisfied with these ex-
plantations, and then repeated their requests
to Mr.. Dickinson. At the close of the con.
ference he gave Old Ok some -four, tea and
tobacco, and, having expressed satisfaction
at the result of their talk. the several
bands returned to their camps. There are
now here about q thousand Crees. Black
feet, Sarcees and Stonys.
Il While everything is pacific here at pre-
sent, We have y disturbing and apparantl,
well founded rumor from the south TO th.
effect that Sitting Bull has been raidin&
across the boundary line, and that he avowt
his intention of continuing to do so. The
news has come through several distinct
channels. and, while 1t is in the bounds q
probability, We are inclined to receive j,
with some doubt.
Some gentlemen we'll acquainted with
the country, however, and who are not
usually prone to pay much attention 10 ru-
imors from the plains, think from the
traced that 1t is true, and their opinions are
mors prove true, other and more serious
be likely to arise.
The above article no doubt.gives a faith
full account of affairs. An Edmonton cor
respondent sends the particulars of an ex-
Extraordinary case of cannibalism, recent,
reported, as follows:
Rumors have been heard that, an Indian
about fifty miles northwest Of Edmonton
near Stannis lake, had committed murder
Col. Jarvis last caught him and unveiled
the following crime: That this mar il
cold blood, and without any great stress O
hunger, had killed, boiled and eaten Iii
whole family, consisting of his wife ant
five children, boys and girls of varied ages
The monster WAC left tO denart untouched
The bones were picked clean and the mar.
row extracted. The hair was singed from
]o eIs nsa1si event syen the se sour r0 was drank snI p' Mos
of the bones were d~iscoYered, and, with tn
.twretch's knowledge, brought to Fl. Sas-
katcbewan, and he, being confronted will