Cheyenne transporter. [volume] (Darlington, Indian Terr.) 1879-1886, 1886-03-15
From the Indian Colony.

and some of our dOings since here: Il
overlook the party at the Cinadian river.
They were in camp waiting for me.
could see.only three lodges, and. as there
were four belonging to the party, | es-
qulred for the missing tent. INwas told
that it was Bear Robes, and that he was
coming, his ponies being so poor they
could not keep up with the main body of
the colonists. The evening was spent in
talking over the prospects of the colony.
In conversation, l found bad six young
men who had attended the Arapah0e
school when was superintendent, and
this was the first time we had all met to.
gether since they left the school. Natur-
ally. the Arapahoe school of THAT day was
discussed, and each man had some expert
ence to relate. Left HaHd said he and
four other boys baG beer warmed" by "a
corn-stalk in the hands of "Johnny Smok-
er" (my Indian name) so that they did not
get cold all day, because when sent out to
husk corn they we've found sitting around
u fire in the field, instead of being at work.
\ On the way out, after crossing the
North Fork bridge, those who wore
blankets took them of, and have not had
them on since. 1t took us all day Monday
To cross the Canadian. One woman wad-
being afraid to cross in the wagons. We
camped that night short distance south
Of the river. AS Bear Robe had not yet
arrived, sent two young men out to look
for him; but they returned without find
ing him. 1t rained quite hard during the
night, and part of the oxen drifted back
across the river. The next morning, in
search of the oxen, we found Bear Robe.
His team was hardly tit to travel. His
wife was very sick in the wagon. but she
did not want to be left behind. We made
a good days travel ON Tuesday and camp
ed ut Sand HOLLOWAY In the morning Bear
Robe came to me saying his wife was dy-
ing. L went to see, aud she lived only Il
few minutes after got there. Our party
| took Il last look nc her; then Bear RO6 be
wrapped her in his blankets and buried
her while the oxen were being yoked for
our onward Journey. BY noon camping
time we had gone about 80 miles, and in
looking back over the road could see an
object approaching that looked like a
! jumping jack astride the shadow Of horse.
On nearer approach, it proved TO be Il
woman, Mrs. Yellow Horse, riding the
poorest horse ever saw ridden. She was
an old acquaintance, but when | stepped
out TO shake hands with her she seemed
cool and unfIiendly. lenquired the cause
and found there had been some mistake
in the ration tickets, she failing 30 get her
usual rations, supposed some one of our
crowd had her ticket. She remained over
night md left in the morning IN better
spirits. We reached Pond creek at dark,
pitched our tents in the rain, got supper
and retired early, IA the morrow would
bring TO view the "prOmised land" IS this
was the east part of the land chosen for
the colony. We went TO work at once
putting 100 peach trees and Il dozen cedar
trees we had brought with us. Then
set the young men TO chopping fence
stays, and Bear Robe and myself went ia
the Washita. The formers horse giving
out, and being the younger of the two
let him ride my horse, ana walked. The
next day five of my Indians came over
with the oxen and located at what useC
To be called the headqaarter camp of the
Washita Cattle Co. laid -0at work fci
them and returned TO Pond creel.,l where
intend making my headquarters. Iii,
members OF the colony are in good spirits
and say as soon as they gst the fence
built, they want to get all their friend.
from the Agency to move into this tine
country. AS this is the pioneer corps tC
prepare the way for others, there were
only six women in the party, so made 4
rule on the way out that the young mel
should carry the wood AMI water anC
help with the cooking, which they di'
cheerfuily. We were heavily loaded on
the way out, so the young men walked
and would get into camp ahead OF th'
team. and have large piles OF wood read.
for use. So much Tor their goodwill.
| J. IL. SEGER.
\ - elonv, March S, 1886.