Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-10-17
THE RASCALLY REDSKINS.

Of NesO Merico.
Cleveland LEADER 80.
The news from the Utes and Apaches in
terests many of your readers personally.
Agent Meeker was from Euclid, and we'll
known to many still living there. Col. Nor
row, commanding in the recent engagement
with the Apaches, is married to Cleveland
lady. We necessarily feel greater interest
from our personal knowledge of the men
engaged. Again, all of these are reservation
Indians, wards of the government; and we
watch minute details and particulars. How
is 1t that these reservation Indians are so
we'll armed with the best breech- loading
rifles? Have these been furnished them bv
the Indian department? What is the mean
ing of this statement, that some officer or
| agent hurried forward to intercept quantity
Of ammunition forwarded by the Indian de.
partment to the Indians at the White River
agency? Has it not been we'll known for
over two years that the Utes were cross, if
| not hostile? If reservation Indians are fed
at government expense, and it is intended
to teach them farming and stock raising,
| why arm them with breech-loaders and sup
ply them with ammunition? It is we'll
known that very little game comes upon
these reservations. Ordinary muskets or
| shot-guns would be all that hunters would
require for such game as could be found
near the agencies. Besides, it is wise, when
teaching Indians the arts Of civilized life,
to encourage them in hunting? Two years
ago the Utes forbade Agent Weaver at the
Southern agency to plant garden, giving
as reason that they did not wish an ex-
ample of living by work set before the eyes
of "their nation.''
Over two years ago the writer of this was
| on the reservation of the southern Apaches,
and saw all the able-bodied Indians loafng
| about the agency with breech loading rifles
planting season, and q few women and chill
dren were planting corn. The men were
| not at work. The agent could exercise no
authority. whatever over them. Permit me
to give you few sentences of questions and
/ replies had in presence of Col. Purington,
| q. S. A., and the agent of the reservation:
II understand you wish me to to talk with
you before 60 away?"
"Yes.''
"Why have you brought your guns with
you?''
eve have no place to leave them; we
| always carry them.''
yesterday saw you at the corn ground
with your guns. Can you plant corn with
guns?'
ono. Indians don't like to work. We
| want Mexicans to plant our corn and give
US part"
"Was there an Indian woman killed upon
the reservation last night?''
eyes,
"Who killed her?'
CHER husband. He is a Gila Apache. She
ran away from him he followed her, found
her here last night, and stabbed her.''
"What did ysu do with her body?''
"Burned it,
"Did that Indian there kill his wife about
one !ey year :, ag0'''
''What do you do with an Indian when he
kills another Indian?''
"Nothing. Sometimes he goes away for
time and then comes back.'' .-.
~ expect in short time to see the Presi-
dent of the United States at Washington;
what word have you to send him?'
"Tell him to send US plenty guns, plenty
powder, plenty sugar, plenty coffee, plenty
blankets.''
"Have you enough to eat?'
eyes; our squaws all fat.''
sis your agent good to you?"
eyes"
Again last spring, year ago, was with
Col. Hatch in the Ute country, and at two
interviews with Ignatius and his band no
complaints were made against the agents.
But the agents had no authority whatever
over the Indians. No Indians were or could
be punished for their crimes against each
other or against the whites. They we're
wholly lazy and undisciplined. How long
would reform school for white boys last
with one teacher, and all the boys with Win
chester rifles in their hands?
S. B. AxTELL,
Late Governor of New Mexico.