Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-09-17
WICHITA AGENCY WARBLINGS

WICHITA AGENCY, |. T., Sept. Is.
To the Editor of the Esgle.
Like the chief city of Kansas, this
agency takes its name from the Wich-
tia Indians. Ii is situated seventy
miles from the Texas line aud is the
agency for ten different tribes of In
dians. namely: The Wichita, Co
manche, Apache, kiowa, Waco, To-
wacoDie, keechi, Caddo, Delaware
save the kiowas. Comanches and
Apaches, are what might be termed a
self-supporting people. They live in
houses, till the soil and dress in citi-
zens clothes. The tribe after which
the city of Wichita takes her name is
much farther in advance in this re-
spect than the other tribes, and some
of the finest fields of corn outside
of the Arkansas Valley is
yearly grown by them. 1t
is estimated that this tribe, which
numbers less that one hundred male
persons, has over one thousand acres
of corn this year. which will yield
fifty bushels TO TIE acre. This speaks
well for the Indians Under the pres
eat administration the government
rations TO the Wichita, Caddo and
Delaware tribes have been discontin-
ued and now they are wholly depend
dent upon their own resources. Their
reservation contains some very rich
land and there is no excuse for them
not fattening from its products. A
new school building has inst been COM
pletcd for the use of the Wichitas and
they now have eighty-five children in
il. The Wichita tribe and affiliated
bands are in 4 prosperous condition
and are in every way trying to live in
conformity with the ways of the
whites. But, oh, we pause for a
breath, when we note the contrast be-
tween their state and that of the
kiowas, Comanchcs and Apaches.
These last three banned tribes are still
clinging TO the gec-string and blanket,
and il an acre of grain has ever been
raised by them, no one has ever heard
Of it, Drawing weekly from the gov
ernment l20 head OF beeyes, besides
-four, coffee, sugar, etc, they live IN
idleness aud indulge in The same bar
barous customs as practiced years ago.
Their chief occupations are dancing,
feasiing and gambling, the latter be-
ing game called monte. AT all hours
of both day and night they
can be seen at this favorite game
and the ante varies from two bits To q
herd of ponies In many cases where
buck loses his property his squaw
is resorted to as his wager. The
Comanches, Apaches an kiowas seem
10 have no disposition to advance
themselves in ANY dire ciion, unless it
be contrary TO that of civilization.
The latter tribe just completed their
medicine dance fifteen miles from the
Agency. With them this ceremany
has always been great occasion and
considered their most important; ccre-
mony. they believing it absolutely
necessary for the preservation of their
health and success in their undertake
ings at war, etc. The dance usually
LASTS from three 10 six days, owing
to the movement of the spirit of
the chief medicine man" as prompted
by superstition. Four buffaloes were
secured for their late dance aud they
claim that the medicine was great
success. The bufialoes were brought
from western Texas where the Indians
had much difficulty in getting them,
owing 10 the scarcity of the animal.
This agency is now in charge of a
Democratic agent. it having just been
transferred to j. l.. Hall, appointed
from Texas, vice Z. B. Hunt, resigned.
CHEYENNE.