The New York herald., 1879-10-01
THE PONCA INDIAN TROUBLES.

The following from the Boston Advertiser of Septem-
Der 20 is the letter in full from Mr. Tbbles in re-
gard to the Indian Standing Bear and the santee
Agency troubles. synopsis OF which recently
published in these columns:-
SANTRE AGENCY Sept. o. 1879.
Following after Standing Bear we struck
the country, regardless of roads trails, FOR this
place, and upon arrival here heard that
he WAS in camp near the line of his old reser-
vation. The agent of the Santees has received
orders from Washington to furnish supplies to
the escaped Poncas OF whom there about seventy
in this neighborhood present. Standing Bear has
so far refused TO come into this reserve and submit
himself to the sgent although he has been promised
supplies if he would do So met the old chief last
night and had o short talk with him. He manifested
the greatest JOY AT seeing me once more. but
astonished beyond measure when told him had
written to him to come up here. He had
bered the instructions mad given him not to so
reserve and the plan to get him into the power of
q government agent had completely failed. will
have another council with him to-day.
have gone clear through the Santee reserve and
have seen no Indians living in tents They all live
in houses-such houses as white settlers usually
and live in during the first few years of their
occupancy OF new country 1 find here five
a boarding school for girls. and day
school for boys, under the charge Of the Rev. Mr..
Fowler of the Protestant Episcopal Church. and
two boarding schools. for boys and for
girls under the supervision OF the Rev. A. L. Riggs.
of the Congregational Church. Ten miles from here.
creek is another school, under Mr.. Riggs care.
taught by Indian. Theye this reserve.
which is fifteen miles long and twelve miles
Wlue, uVc CnurCn DuICuuRb, VI WHICH Cnere
are good congregations. All the children on this
reserve eight years of age go to school.
The land Of which this reserve is composed is the
poorest ever saw in this State 1t is extremely
rough. many places sandy and totally incapable Of
cultivation. Every good spot have seen has an
Indian house on it, and they have commenced tho
cultivation of the soil. l questioned good many
settlers Al I through the country in
Santees, which was proposed in the last Congress-.
Nearly all wanted them removed. and gave as
reason that they wanted the land occupied by
xuhf ffa xvin hal nav fha M
one had any complaint to make of the Indians.
They all said the Indians stayed their reservation
minded their own business and troubled
these Indians removed their schools would all
be broken up. all OF the property in churches. resi-
dences Of missionaries and school buildings which
amounts to many thousands OF dollars. would be
rendered utterly useless. Taken to q new country
to begin life again. the present generation Of
| children would bo grown up before school build
| ings, churches and residences could again be
built. the Indians would be thrown back to utter
barbarsm again. and tho cry raised that schools
| and churches had always been q failure among
them. In the nature Of things it is impossible
for the Indians become civilized until they have
secured the protection OF law aud perfect titles
| their lands. Every removal throws them back .
generation. No one knows this better than the man
| ayers Of the Indian Ring.
Last nirht an accredited runner from Spotted Tail
| to the Poncas who are here arrived. bringing
that Spotted Tail made q speech to Mr.. Schurx the
lesser President they call him) in which he said to
"You have murdered great many Indians with
out excuse; all the Indians whom You have sent to
the Indian Territory who have died there you have
| murdered"
MY. Schurz replied :-"I did not send them there.
| 1t was another man who did that had nothing to
| do with it,"
Spotted Tail then advanced. and. taking hold of
| Mr. Schurz's shoulder shook it, and said:-"Some
| man forced the Poncas to go down there: you knew
they were there; know they were all dying. and YET
you would not lot them come back. want you tr
| let those Poncas como back to their land"
| The runner asserts that Mr.. Schurz made
| promise to send the Poncas back. runner started
| from the Ponca camp immediately to carry tC
Spotted Tail their thanks for his efforts in their be
| half. 1 this Indian go down to the river ant
cross. 1t was getting dark as he disappeared oveI
hills the other side. 4. ii. TIBBLES.
[The reported conversation between Nr. Schuri
and the Sioux chief. Spotted Tail, must be taker
with much allowance 1t Ia not in Mr.. Schurzs
sfyle the Indian runner might very easily have go
q wrong impression of it. especially If he had beer
led into the great mistake OF regarding Mr. Schurs
as an enemy.