Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-10-08

field VT Mr.. Beauieu has been 10 great
extent the medium of communication with
the Indians for the last thirty years. lie is a
native of Montreal who came to this country
in an early day, and under his hospltable
roof on the frontier many miles beyond the
residence Of any white persons, Governor
Smith and myself have often found a warm
welcome and shelter, when first exploring
the route Of the Northern Pacific railroad,
some ten years ago.
Very truly yours,
THos. III. CAXrIELD.
The slip enclosed by Mr.. Garfield is from
the st. Paul Pioneer Press of recent date
and is as follows:
INDIAN CIVlrIzATIoN-Uo IT HAS FLoUEISH-
ED At WHITE EAITH.
Wau-bon.i quad, or White Cloud. head
chief of the Chippewa Indians at White
Earth reservation, came down to St Paul
with Hon. Carl Shurz Secretary of the In
terror, with whom he had a pleasant and en-
couraging interview in relation to the pro-
posed consolidation of all the scattered bands
of Chippewa Indians and their removal to
the White Earth Indian reservation. \ re-
preventative of the PiORter- Press sought an
INTERVIEW WITH WHITE CLOUD,
Mr.. Clement IL. Beaulieu, the venerable
and respected advisor and paternal repre-
sentative Of the Chippcwas, acting as inter
prefer. Mr.. Bcaulieu is as noble specimen
of genuine manhood rs ever adorned any
community, and whose cultivated mind, in
tcllgent countenance and agreeable manners
proclaim him IN inborn gentleman. White
Cloud himself is a man of vigorous frame,
Il t.,1.t
who by the carncstness Of his language
makes Il highly favorable impression.
WHAT TIE cIIIrrEwAs WANT.
In answer to question White Clcud
said
''A,l the Chippcwas are anxious To follow
the lead of those on the Whit, Earth reser-
Walton, who have adopted the habits of the
white man, and who are well satisfied with
the rapid advance they are making in clvli1a
ton. All the scattered bands are anxious to
do something for themselves, and they only
ask the assistance of the government to start
them on the right way
Reporter - "Whai has produced this
change in their habits -
White Cloud-"All the tribes are satisfied
that the time has come when they must
abandon the chase and look to the soil for Il
livelihood. They see that all their land is
gone that they have become the wards of
the Great Father, and that they must de
pend upon the government for the means of
sustaining life. They are getting tired Of
their prccarious means Of living, and now
they ask The Great Father TO assist them
with few cattle and agricultural iInplc
ments to enable them to earn their bread
from the soil The head men are especially
anxious that their children shall receive
"A. Of
have a better chance of getting along than
was enjoyed by their fathers"
Reporter What is the condition of the
Indians on the White Earth reservation =
White Cloud-'Thcy are doing SO well
that their condition has attracted the after
tiun of the rowing bands and they are all
anxious To follow our example 1t is only
eleven years since We commenced work On
the White Earth reservation before that
time the chase was their only occupation
now We raise nearly all we require for sub
siSlcncc. We have plenty of the best land,
with lakes full of fish; wild rice in abund-
ancc and can raise enough crops to support
the whole Chippewa nation"
At this point White Cloud branchcd oil
upon descriptionot how the visiting Indians
were asionishcd at the abundance of the
crops of all kinds that were harvested on the
the process of making syrup from the amber
sugar cane. lie said that last year Hon.
Henry VI. Rice of st. Paul sent them Il lot
of amber sugar cane seed, which produced a
fine crop. When il was transformed into the
most excellent syrup the Indians went into
ecstacicS over ii, the women and children ac-
tually laughing and dancing with delight.
Hundreds of them ilocked around and cX-
pressed their astonislnent at the wonderful
result, which was transformed to joy when
the same was distributed among them, for
the Indians are especially fond of sweet
things. They promise in the future to be
come extensive growers of sugar cane.
THE PROPOSED Union OF THE BANDS.
White Cloud says it was a good hit when
the Indians were placed on the White Earth
reservation, and now WAS Il good time to
place all the Chippcwas on this reservation.
The scattered bands all want To come, and
he remarked Il have no doubt the Indians
could all make II good living, for it is
the best reservation in the United States.
II embraces Thirty y-six townships, hut II
will he slightly extended when the Indians
are concentrated and their reservations are
abandoned"
Rep What does the Secretary of the
Interior think of this plan y
White Cloud lie approves Of it. When
hc mel me hc said he had heard with pleas
urc of the progress we were making nj White
Earth in our march 10 civilization, and he
promises Ia ald us 10 the hcst "i his ability
Ia carry out this scheme.
Rcp.-"Arc your Indians perfectly sails
fled with their agricultural life =
White Cloud They are, a5 you can see
when tell you that we are already almost
sell sustaining. cur young men work III The
field, and some twenty i've or thirty oi them,
with others from the other Tribes, went To
work i'll harvesting the wheat on I'll" Dal-
ryple farms. All the bands are favorable 1"
the plan oi h,'ns together ami "pr"ing
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