The Columbus journal., 1879-05-14
OMAHA AGENCY.
The Omaha ana Winnebag0 Agencies ConsoIidas-
td--ii0u the 0msias Feel about the Console
dati0n. the condition OF the tribe. their
Manner OF Farming. e.c.--Asency
Buildings Undermined by the
Big Muddv.


Big Muddy.
OMAHA AGENCY, NEB., May ), 20
DEAR JOURNAL 1T is now a set
tied fact, that this and the Winnebq-
20 Agencies are cOnsoli dated, and
Howard White, of the latter, has
been confirmed Agent. Some
Omahas are dissatisfied with the
change; that is, they don't care
about being joined to tribe who,
they say, are lazy, and light-fingered.
There is contrast between the two
tribes. Winnebagoes mostly wear
citizens clothes. The Omahas are
too poor 10 buy very nice clothes,
and receive no annuity money or
clothing, whereas the Winnebagoes
do; but the Omahas are nearly self
supporting, are living on their farms
in fair frame houses, and are doing
their own farm work. "What |
know about farming" is truly limit
ed, but their work looks as well as
any have seen. The land is rolling,
blufy and timbcred in places, and
they have not the chance 10 exhibit
skill in making long straight rows
az is charteristic in Platte Valley
farming, but they do more like |
down Casters" They sow their
wheat by hand, and mark their corn
ground with bobs, and plows. Many |
have American horses but generally |
a cross yet the ponies are fat and
work well. / recently hired a horse
of an Indian to drive a few miles,
and he made the buggy seem like a
train of cars till Iyelled whoa! Was
only trotting his natural gait. They
are scattered all over the eastern
part OF the Reserve, some have stock,
cows, pigs and chickens mot all
scrubs, some bloods, Durnhams,
Berkshires, Chesterwhites, Buff
Coachins, and Dark Brahma's) and
people crossing the Reserve and
visiting the Agency, frequently re-
mark that it looks like a white set
tlement. They are instructed in
their work but little. The Agent
goes frequently among them, also
the Blacksmith and Farmer who
show them and advise them about
their work. They have the will
the determination TO work and show
Uncle Sam that they need his sup
port no longer; that they are capable
Of becoming good citizens, entitled
to rights and protection as such.
All they ask of the government now
is clear title to their lands i'm allot-
ment, with Schools a few years,
exempt from taxation a few years,
courts of law, and the agricultural
implements, wagons, &c, that they
are now using. The schools are now
being conducted successfully. There !
are now but day schools and the
one under my charge, has had dur
ing the winter an average attendance
of 20 and upwards. Ny assistant,
Miss Lusette La Flesche, an Indian
girl, is a successful teacher. She is
highly educated and capable of
teaching in the highest graded
Schools of the state. We hope to
have boarding or industrial school
established ere long. |.
The big Muddy" is washing off
The banks at q tremendous rate.
The ground, where an employees
house stood but a week ago, has
caved in, and the water is coming
toward the mill (Which is being =
torn down and hauled away at a !"
rapid rate. All other Agency build :
ings are clear of danger-over two =
miles inland. A year or so ago the y
right bank stood about where the ,S
left bank now forms Iowa's boun- :"
dairy.
But TO Omahas again. They treat "
heir squaws as wives. They keep =
hem at home and their duties are +"
similar to those of white women,
'ut when they go abroad, they are y
escorted by their husbands in bug
,ies, and wagons. What a contrast
o that OF the Pawnee squaws who -
re kept and used as beasts OF ~ :"
'urden. have visited them at
heir houses. True they do not ap-
ear as neat, clean, and refined as "
ONE white peoples houses, and :.
no worse than some. We ~
10 not expect TO convert an Indian "" ""
ace into state of perfect civiliza- :.
ion in day or year. 1t i. the - -
Tork of years, generations or even =:
But this tribe is making "
apid progress towards il now.
ney appear to be honest. Their
raider gave them credit last year to ~
of dollars, which he ex- -
ects them to pay him this year out =.
their crops. They do not beg. -
Te have the first one to ask us for =,
nything to eat. They do not stael, -.
'me exceptions to the latter, but nn
here religion is blended with =,
orse stealing, we can't expect much La
fferent. They do not swear in our 49,
nguage or their own that know q @
!. They are tired of being tied to h.,
e apron strings of the government, A.,
wards, babies, or paupers. They no
K to be self-supporting and as soon -.