The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1883-09-05
Climpses Of Ranch-life in the
Indian Territory.
BY A NORTH CAROLINA LADY.

NOTE. The following and some
subsequent sketches Of life in the far
West will derive an added interest in
coming from the pen of "Luola 5"
daughter, who has numerous relatives
in \. C.-ED. F. & NJ.
Certainly. we can go, answered my
hostess, Il am glad you mentioned it; /;
and as they are to be removed in a few
DAYS we NAV as well 90 nOw," and
touching lightly with her whip as she
spoke. her pretty brown pony led the
way, | following closely behind along
the foot-path into which we had turned.
few moments more elapsed, and we
again entered well defined road and
could continue the conversation which
had been interrupted by the single-file
fashion our near cut" had forced us to
adopt.
do they object tn visitors 90 asked
as we were nearing the camping'grounds
of the buck prisoners of war;
"Oh, no they have become accus-
toned to it long since - was the reply
Since coming here hundreds have Wis
tied them from all parts Of the country.
and | think the only wonder is Spiechee
don refuse to be interviewed at all by
any of them. | am sorry we did not
come before they began to break up.
Fom or five hundred left last week. the
day | think after their arms were taken
from them. Those remaining were
more prominent in the rebellion and
dare not return to their homes for some
time to come. Even out upon the re-
servation to which they are to be car
ried they would not be safe without the
protection of L. 5. troops. 1t is for the
arrival of these thev have DELAYED leav-
ing until now. They numbered over a
thousand strong when they reached
here the 10th of May. and you may
have some idea of the hardy construc-
ton of the Indian when l tell you that,
Notwithstanding the fatigue and priva-
ton of nearly one thousand miles trav-
cling. wears wandering about. ex-
posed alike to the chilly blasts OF win
ter and the scorching RAYS of summer,
that from the time of their arrival here
until now, among the men, women and
children, only two deaths have occur
red.
They were captured between four and
five hundred miles west of here, where
they had fled for safety. Leaguing with
the Comanches and Wichatas, two of
the widest and most war-like of the IN
dian tribes, Spiachee and his men were
on the eve of beginning the hOmeward
march. Had they succeeded in their
efforts and well-laid plans of surprise
Gas they doubtless would but for the
heavy reintorcements of Z. S. troops
sent out in pursuit of them) ten days
later might have witnessed a scene of
bloodshed and plundering, falling little
short of the terrible massacres of earlier
davs. Goaded to the last extremity BY
the treatment to which they had been
subjected before leaving their homes i
year previous. inturiated by the treach-
erous capture and cOwardly numbering
of Sleeping Rabbit when sent for to con-
fer in regard to terms of surrender. with
weakened faith in government per-
nnitting to 90 unpunished such viola
ton of good faith and honor, is it to be
at all wandered they thirsted for re-
venge?
Their plan was, with the aid of these
two tribes, to take possession of the
Creek territory, staying alike the ma
tives, settlers, traders, and all Inter
lopers,'' as they are termed, devastating
the homes and farms of the enemy.
seizing all stock belonging to them, and
thus Ie-establish themselves in the
homes from which they themselves had
once been driven.
True, the mighty arm of our governs
ment would have rendered their triumph
of brief duration. yet, what avail would
that be to the hundreds of innocent VIC
TINS?
Yet, speaking of the treachery and
cruelty 10 the Indian, what right have
the whites to look for it to be otherwise;
when treaty after treaty nade them III
gOod faith has been violated at the will
of government without the taiutest
shadow of excuse ureater than the adj
vantage the stronger ever hold over the
weaker party. 1t will ever remain an
uuiathomable mystery that civilization
ald chris lianity should have made even
the progress it has among this people
whose instructors are of Il race by whom
for gene, ations past they have been 50
grievously wronged in violation Of every
principle of truth and justice.
But to return 10 my subject from
which have most unpardonabiy wan
dered-a number of children betwe Ell
the years of two and twelve, clad in
scantiest garments, were gathered on
the hillside, or rolling in the dusty
road with an audacious Indifference to
the convenience of the traveller, who
must needs drive out of the road and
around them, or await their pleasure
and time in moving for his accOmmoda-
ton. Groups OF squaws, with babies
strapped to their backs, were standing
OF wandering iistlessly about. Others
sitting or reclining upon the ground,
were surrounded by children of every
age aud size, who are noiseless almost
as autOmitons, dartidg hither and thith-
er among the underground of thick
bushes. stopping moment perhaps to
toss IN the air child released from il,
cramped position upon lis mothers
/ back, or scramhfe and roll with each
othe, upon the soft green grass, occa-
sionally giving vent to little, Il rery
/ little, Outburst of that eXuberance OF
chil hood the mother may try in vain TO
suppress.
All men. women qua ,.Aiinron alike
wear bri4h; "a keehieis about their
ilea,ts, YET so varied and fantastic are
the styles presented by even tritlng
change OF corner or fold in their f;.vorite
article of dress ! caught myself wonder
inc il it would pat iro.e equal to a
search iof ,four leaf clovert' to attempt
amppg that five hundred 10 ind two
/. that were similarsy arranged. OF them
ali, the men appeared least comfortable
l-tr "A II lA.l tt1rnn n,
four inches below the kerchief, and be
lug quite thick and coarse would stant
out about his neck like au immense iu
.ollor Mast of tburn wore their shirt