The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-06
INDIAN VISITORS IN THE ME-.
TROPOLIS.

THE WRONGS OF THE PoNCAs TO BE REcITED
BY INDIAN SPEAKERS TO NEW YORK
AuDIENcE-oPENINa UP THE INDIAN CUES
TON.
The Indian question is about to be agitated in New
York and the whole the Indian race stated in
new and attractive form. New Workers have often
had real live Indians among them. in ali their pic
turesque barbarty. who lounged around the city
with their Interpreters. were stared ct for few
days and went away. New York knew more of
the Indian question after their departure than be-
fore they came An Indian speaking English luently
and addressing New york audience on the rights
and wrongs Of his race will be something new, but
u pretty Indian girl making . speech In good Eng.
fish will be real treat for city always wanting
something new.
Yesterday morning party Of three Indians arrived
in this city from Boston. accompanied by Mr. I. H.
Tibbles. from Omaha. and now at the Fifth Ave-
nue. Hotel Their names follows :-Ma-chu-
na-zhe standing Bear) CHIEF of the Poncas In-shta-
the am-ba bright Eyes) daughter OF Iron Eye. Head
Chief of the Omahas. and Zon-the-bsh Wood
Worker). Of Iron Eye and brother OF Bright
Eyes. Their object is to appeal for sympathy for
the red generally and in particular to expose
the bad treatment received by tho Poncas at the
hands Of the United States government. number
of meetings will be held aud addresses delivered.
Bright Eyes being the principal speaker her brother
white sympathizers may be induced to plead
their cause. This the programme in Boston.
manned two weeks but they viii prolong their stay
here for about month. Bright Eyes and Wood
Worker speak English fuently. but Standing Bear
knows only his own language.
WRONGS OF THE PoNcAs.
Yesterday evening the whole party were invited to
spend with Mr. Josiah NJ Fiske ut his residence.
corner OF SEVENTEEN street and Fifth avenue. but,
owing to the fatigue Of their late unusual exertions
Bright Eyes and Standing Bear were Obliged to re.
To res nj q WOrk era md
Mr.. Tibbles alone were found there. The following
is . summary OF the story told Of tho wrongs
OF the Poncas lit Is claimed that the Poncas the
only tribe of Indians in the United States that have
u valid legal title to their land. 1t bought from
This land il situated along the Niobrara River. in
Dakota. and they lived there early 1903 ut
states but Notwithstanding this, they were robbed
OF their land In May. 1877, by an order of the Ex-
ecutivo and taken to the Indian Territory. where
they have since beer held by force The land given
them. It IS claimed. though good. ia cursed with
malaria, and Mr. TiDDlcs claims that the
average death among the tribe has been greater
since thoir arrival there than in Memphis during
last yellow fever epidemic The tribe M strong
on leaving their old settlement and over 80 died III
three months in their new quarters. There
ten chiefs. OF whom Standing Lear tho second,
aud having lost all his children and many OF his
friends he decided to run away and 60 back. M he
said ITO his old land that he had never Sold" He
was arrested by order Of the Indian Bureau aud
started back for tho Indian Territory. Arriving in
Omaha last April Mr.. Tibbles sued out writ of
habcas corpus In his favor and Judge Dundy. of the
United states Court Oh that city, granted the order
for his release IL. then undertook q suit to
recover his land and release the tribo from
the reservation in the Indian Territory. The suit
WILL 1t is SAID involve general principles affecting
the whole Indian racc-such for instance. NJ. Shall
Indians lfo and property BIO protected by law the
same with all human beings OF every other race
but the Indian In the United States? Tho suit will
be started In tho West and carried to the United
States supreme Court.
II is claimed that in the district where the Poncas
are located 800 out OF $500 pawnees died within the
first year after being taken there. and that the Nex
Perces, Modocs and Cheyenncs suffered In the same
way.
PROGRAMME WORK.
1t Is on these topics the Indian orators and their
white friends intend to speak to New York audiences
with view to make the Indian question better un-
derstood. No definite time has yet been hxed for the
first meeting. but II will be announced In few days
There are four other tribes kindred to the Poncas
and speaking the same language. VIZ. the Omahss.
Usages, Quapaws and Kaws. Wood Worker informed
the HERALD reporter that he and his sister learned
English Mt the school tho reservation. and he
speaks IL with great nuency. Ho In u young man OF
fine physique and handsome. intelligent face. The
whole party dress In ordinary civilian dress and
look quito at their ease.