Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1878-1884, 1883-11-30
Indian Matters.

In nv last communication stated that there
we're 600 Indians who went buffalo hunting. L
beg leave to correct it as there only 400 who
went, although all had permission to go. The
most of these were young men, who went for
the mere enjoyment of the chase, and not to lay
up winter supply of meat, for out of the 5000
buffalo killed, not one tenth of the meat was
brought back, and even of that which was
brought in, a great deal Of it was sold to whites
on the Missouri for six, seven and eight cents
pound. The robes were all brought in, and from
their number it was estimated how many were
killed.
Concerning the starving of the Indians, by
diligent inquiry found out the exact amount
of the principal rations the government sup
piled them with the current year. Taking into
consideration that there are less than 5000 peo-
ple-braves, squaws, half-breeds, children and
all, don't think the whites need to shed tears
over their hard tate, but save them to be shed
over the graves Of the Thousands OF starving
widows and orphans, which they have made
from the time of the New Ulm massacre, nearly
tMenty years ago in Minnesota, down to the
Custer massacre, fresh in the minds of all.
The contractors have furnished for this year,
3,O75, 900 pounds of beef, besides several thous-
ands pounds of pork, 100000 pounds of -four;
10000 pounds of coffee over 100000 pounds Of
sugar, and 5000 pounds Of best plug tobacco,
in fact all of the above ls of the first quality.
About 100000 pounds of soap, but what they
do With it God knows, do not. Rice, salt, oil,
baking powder, etc., ETC., in proportion, the ex-
act figures I could not obtain. Besides tho
above, each family is provided with a stove and
cooking utensils, knives, forks and spoons, and
silver plated castor, () en- passant. the squaw
generally keeps her beads and other valuable
t1inkets in the vinegar and pepper cruets, and
the brave his fancy paint in the mustard pot,
mixing it up and ladling it on his classic
features with the mustard spoon.
Each one who builds house is provided with
bed, two window sashes and glass and door.
Those who build good substantial hewed log
houses have them shingled and floors put in
them by the agency carpenters. Each head of
the family has large pillow, and every ten
families have breaking plow. All are pro-
vided with sythes, rakes, harrows, in short, all
that a farmer should and ought to have. There
are about twenty five mowers on the reserva-
tion and they are trusted to the more intelli.
gent Indians, and paid by the government to
cut grass for those who have lsrge quantity of
stock, and could not we'll do it with the sythe.
In regard to their clothing, could not obtain
the particulars, but know it is as much, if not
more than a we'll to do farmer could afford for
himself and family, and that is one of the
reasons that our friend 'The Orange Blossom of
the North" could buy his overcoat for square
meal, for most likely the Indian had another at
home, and if he had not, am sure he is only
waiting for the river to freeze over and he will
go over and talk him out of it.
I found out from the teachers at the farm