St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-07-08
STARVING REDM EN-.
Men. Women and Children Dying Like
Flies-PrOvisiOns About to Fail
the Blackfeet.
A Much Dreaded Indian Outbreak Threat
ened in North Montana.

Reports from Old Agency state that the Crees,
numbering about 5000 Indians, are actually
pcrishing from starvation. Mr. L. +. Pembrin, n
tnited States army scout, who has lately visited
them, says that the Indians are actually dying of
starvation. Their rations consist of half
pound of beef, half pound of bacon and one
fourth pound of flour per capata a week, which
is less than one eighth ratons." Major Allen,
the Blackfeet Indian agent, said to a representa-
tive Of one of the territorial papers, 'that it is
impossible to form anything like a correct csti-
mate of the death rate, as the Indians
have Il great dislike to burying
their dcad, prefering to follow
their old custom of placing them in trees and on
the hills Probably only about one-third are
buried. The carpenter is required TO keep an
account of the collins or boxes he makes As
high as thirty Of these boxes have been made i'll
month. The death rate is highest among chill
dren from five to twelve years old
The state of affairs in this agency is certainly
alarming to the farmera surrounding and dis
grace TO the government
The Indians here became so desperate that the
commander of the military detachment recently
sent from FIT Shaw has deemed it advisable to re-
main at the agency for the protection Of the
settlers in. case OF an outbreak, which NAV occur
ut any time. 1.-The Piegans are dying from sheer
starvation, ut the rate OF three or four per day,
and even the little children that attend the public
school are too weak from hunger to study
MAJOR YOUNG
receives most censure and very deservedly so
from the best information that can be obtained.
His successor as agent Major Allen, is believed
to have done all in his power to allay their suffer
ings and states frankly that he would not have
accepted the position had he known the actual
state of affairs. Public opinion in his favor
seems rs general us the condemnation of Major
Young, the former agent If this shocking neg
ligenCc on the part of the government were only
temporary or the only instance. it might be ex-
cused Such is not the case, however. For one
long year have these poor creatures been in u
starving condition and il has so etfectually de
stroyed their ambition and energy, that this
once powerful tribe has become an easy prey TO
the Crees to whom they once
Il terror No small amount of this we are sorry
TO say, is due 20 the corruption of government
agents, The crime OF starvation is not the only
one that has been urged against them. Crimes
and misdemeanors too horrible TO relate are
openly affirmed of the last one
Nor is this one Of the necessary evils of civil
ling the red man. True the Piegans are nearly
half civilized, but they have not had with which
ts do. Take the white man aud give him the
opportunities Of the Piesan and see whether he
can do any better.
The Indians have in the neighborhood of
twelve acres planted this year, few individuals
having an acre. The agency farm con-
sists OF about 500 acres, sixty OF which
are under cultivation. Three hundred or 400
acres hays been fenced in for pasturing purposes
Think Of 5000 Indians living sueh means
with little or no support from the government
while its country has been made useless rs a
hunting ground. Mark the feeling the part
Of the government. Indians might starve for
one long year ard not Il word said, but let = horse
or a COW OF some OF the settlers be killed, and
then for the first time IL becomes q serious mat
ter, The life OF poor Indian woman or child is
OF no consequence compared with domestic
animal
II is reported that the provisions viii give ont
early in July, and then 5000 compelled to get
enough on which to subSist and how: by in
rosds upon neighboring herds, just rs the most
civilized would do in the same circumstances.
On the way in from the agency, United States
army scout Pembrin saw which the Indisns
had evidently killed 1t was between Dupuyer
and Birch creek. 1t is estimated that they will
kill OF the 500 head Of stock cattle and then sny
one can Judge Of the result. Ii Is certainly true
that '.there has been a terrible blunder some
where--a blunder that viii turn loose 5000
starving Indians on the defenSeless settlers in
the Teton. nupuyer and Miriss cauntry."
wsl not the people of Christian nation ike
our own take some interest in these poor starv-
ing ereaturcss Have they no feeling that would
touch our hearts or arouse sympathy Can 4
government consistently boast OF mercy and
nagnauimity while thousands stsrve and bloody
war threatenss BY prompt action on the part of
the government II i 70 be hoped that this
already long list OF Indian atrocities cut of for.