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
perishing from starvation. Mr.. L. f. Pembrin, a
United States army scout, who has lately visited
them, says that the Indians are actually dying of
starvation "Their rations consist of one half
pound of beef, one half pound of bacon and one
fourth pound of flour per capata week, which
is less than oneeighth rations.'' Major Allen,
the Blackfeet Indian agent said to representa-
tive of one of the territorial papers, ''that it is
impossible to form anything like correct esti-
mate Of the death rate, as the Indians
have great dislike to burying
their dead, 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 in
a 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 fsrmera surrounding and dis
grace to the government.
The Indians here became so desperate that the
commander of the military detachment recently
seat from TT. Shaw has deemed it advisable to re
main at the agency for the protection OF the
settlers in case of an outbreak, which may occur
at any time. ''The Piegans are dying from sheer
starvation, Mt the rate of three or four per day,
and the little children that attend the public
school are too weak from hunger to study
MAJOR YOUNG
receives most crnsure 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 sufer-
ings end 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 as the condemnation Of Major
Young the former agent. II this shocking neg
ligence on the part of the government were only
temporary or the only instance, it might be eX-
eused Such is not the case, however. For one
long year have these poor creatures been in q
starving condition and it has so effectually de-
stroyed their ambition and energy, that this
once powerful tribe has become an easy prey to
the Crees to whom they were once
a terror No small amount OF this, we are sorry
10 say, is due TO the corruption OF government
agents. The crime OF starvation is not the only
one that has been urged against them. Crimes
and msdemeanors too horrible to relate are
openly affirmed of the last one
Nor is this one of the necessary evils OF civil
izing the red man. True the Piegaus are nearly
half civilized, but they have not had with which
TO do Take the white man aud give him the
4
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-
ssts OF about 500 acres, sixty of which
are under cultivation. Three hundred or 400
acres have been fenced in for pasturing purposes
Think of 1900 Indians living on such means
with little or no support from the government
while its country has been made useless as q
hunting ground. Mark the feeling on the part
OF the government. Indians might siarve for
one long year ard not a word said, but let horse
or q COW OF some Of the settlers be killed, and
then for the first time it becomes serious mat
ter. The life OF poor Indian woman or child is
of no consequence compared with a domestic
animal
Ii is reported that the provisions will give out
early in July, and then 5000 compelled to get
enough on which TO subSist, and hows by in
roads upon neighboring herds. just as the most
civilized would do in the same circumstances
On the way in from the agency, United States
army scout Pembrin saw 8 cow which the Indians
had evidently killed. Ii was between DGpuyer
and Birch creek 1t is estimated that they will
Kill off the soc head OF stock cattle and then any
one can judge OF the result. 1t i certainly true
that there hes been a terrible hlunder some
where-a blunder that viii turn loose 5000
starving Indians on the defenseless settlers in
the Teton, Dupuyer snd Mirias oauntry
VII not the people OF Christian nation like
our own take some interest in these poor starv-
ing creSturess Have they no feeling that would
touch our hearts or arouse sympzthys Can 8
government consistently boast OF mercy and
msSusnimity while thousands starve and S bloody
war threateuss BY prompt action on the part Of
the government it Is TO be hoped that this
alresdy long list Of Indian atrocities cut OF for