New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-09-27
THE PENOBSCOT INDIANS
A CONTENTED RACE.

Troublesome questions OF the red mans rights and
destiny In other parts OF the country. They may be
living peaceably aud nda,triOusly at Oldtown.
island in the Ponobscot River twelve miles
Bangor; or in summer pitching their tents and ceiling
their baskets and fancy wares at tho m)st popular
watering places from Newport TO Mt. Desert. Thcir
relations with tho whites OF tho friendly char
acter; Maine, which assumed the obligations OF Massa
chuscts toward them becoming separate state, has
treated them not only With uniform justice but with
tenderness almost parental; and heard old
OF the tribe say that there not house between
Portland aud Eastport whore OF his people would not
he received with hospitality and succored II In
want; his eyes gstoning he spoke. with emotion
which betrayed that he was no longer
" The stole OF tho woods, man without tear"
They have neat village Of small aud plain white houses
at OlGtowD and little farms that and tho eishbOrng
islands within their reservation. Unlike the
tOnal savage. the mon perform tho labor the land
They raise their supplies OF Vegetables and some
grain; the do the cooking aud all make baskets
which is their principal industry. Their houses their
shops; aud you will their beat rooms. Uttered with
clean white saavings and long tain strips OF the aut
full beaten ash Hbre. At the opening of winter the
younger start for the great northern forests which
disappearing ali too rapidly before tao umborman's
there they at logging at So path. and
log-drving IN spring the swollen and swift rivers.
dangerous occupation, vlch redrirrs intropidty and
SKILL and ut which they work from dawn till night aud
often far into the nightly rcht moonlight earning
So or SO day.
There is little intoxea ion among them. and wOuld he
IL the laws OF the State and the efforts OF their best
men were not thwarted by the temptation Of strong
drink held out TO them by few aNarclvus whites Yet
VITA all their sobrcty aud Industry IL is not probable
that they would ever become scsuppOrtiuk II State aid
were withdrawn. They sill receive the con trhutions
stipulated In their reacs 100 pounds OF powder early
400 ponnds OF shot. 90 blankets 10 be divided among
every thrce years nOii corn and other cOmmod itts
called aud anong them are divided 100 yards OF road.
cloth, which made M into fine clothes for churcsong
Sunday aud other days; fUr these people are COOL
Catholics ha, ing adopted their religion from tho Frcn c
long before the memory Of the Oldest now living. To
encourage agriculture among them. the state pays them
a bounty their crops viii ch Is five cents for every
bashel of potatoes, aud. proportional sum for other
anghl by Sisters Charity. aud pays something toward
the expenses OF the priests wn9 come Syer 70
report that estnaed expenditure account OF the
addition their rents. which amount TO $3.50
more. Ollown IN tho centre OF active lumber
industry tho island occupies very important position
the river. and rents paid for b"omase or the
privilege OF attaching boOms To the shores They arc
collected BY the State aud paid 10 the tribe through The
Indian agent at Oldtown.
It's gratifying to be able to state that In talking with
the IuOst intelligent Of the Penobscois. have never
heard one OF them complain OF the treatment thy
of the Legislature tries 20 get into the vote for
appropriations tue assumption That what Is done for tho
treaty obligations stands any chance OF success Tue
Indians send The Legislature their own representative
has "a Indian Affairs only, who Is paid 10y the
nsnsIly their Ecer In character and Intelligence
thew cease 10 n fribc and become Amer lean citizens
10 vote to own their land ia severaty. and for
dispose Of hi, land and himself according bis
good will and pleasure this IS the dream OF some; while
the moro prudent aud sagacons among them are opposed
1t. asked Mr. Joseph HicOar, their last representa-
tive IA tho Maine Legislature, whom met last summer.
encampra with his family at Kcnnebunkport. what he
thought of the Iroposet change ana got this reply;
have "a citizens. We travel at half rates the rail-
roads Our wares are q novelty; 1t Is pleasure to
PEOPLE buy something OF the Indians. poor white
man travelling on foot + looked upon as tramp by tie
whites themselves; but an Indian no matter low poor
better of US Than could take Of ourselves; We
the pupils: what We know VIC learn OF the whites
and II Idle to suppose that can cOmpctc with them
tribal distinction our lands aud our special privileges
We sbnnld hccome scattered and lost We have "A voice
now i'm The pn6iic infringement OF orr own affairs and
why should We wish to NEEDLE in general politics ~
BESIDES elocting It's own representative, tho tribe
chooses a chief every two years. is the bead OF
ther cnuncs and of their business with tho STATE.
They have something very Ike own town meetings
20 hold elections and discuss questions OF policy |
Quarres between members OF the tribe are settled u
possible by their old otherwise the Indian agent Is
q" All pares they sometimes go to law an get tie YER
dict o jury. They at least that precious privilege
Each mans land IS allotted TO him by the agent: but
they bny aud sell OF another the rights thus CON
another bur few But OF course there is no absolute
owaesP in ssysG Iny have o S. ST ba Sr Sy s
agent They are a. mproydent rSce and the larG.t
Is tins because tho Indian lacks the ability to acquire
lend to keen them children With their future provided
for by treaty why should they themselves ID lay
up money When they have Inoney.-anl with their |
log driving their indu srlons Lasket making and their
income from the State and the lumber merchants they
sometimes a good deal.-they live high one OF
Wien their money Is gone they live poorly and in
debt. Whether tho boon OF citizenship would Improve
their habits III ihls respect ~ ~ INC Dcst qcstIOIpc'
Their education has not, evidently. been very well
attended until within the past twenty or thirty years
Many OF the old people quite illterntc; but the |
children of the present generation we'll taught Ia the
Ordinary English branches.
The renolsoots have their own indian doctors. who |
arc consi tered by them skul than white phys-
clans although these al sometimes employed Den
tisfry neglected. the old people lose their
tootache does not seem 10 Dc the dreadful end 1t Is