The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1886-01-12
Letter From Montana.
UNirrD STATES IEDI.N SERvic
FoRT PRCK Agency.

DEAR SPIRIT: worked all forenoon
invoicing the contents OF the root Gel.
lars, potatoes dc and came in ut noon |
with severe hea lache. Dill not eat any
dinner. but took dose of MEDICINE
Ate supper and feel better this evening. |
VIM. Okey and Maj Parker went up to
take some property at the school this az !
ternoon, WIN Okey taking my place.
Vim Okev. Willie West. the Carpen-
ter, Assist. Farmer and Engineer prac
,ice in music every night. They have
an organ, brass horn. violin, q tie and
mouth orgsn. There is going to he q
show OF some kind at the Military Post
about Christmas Eve , In which the boy
have been invited to form the orchestra
They moved the o gan over to the Doc.
tors house this afternoon and are przc.
ticine there tonight.
Have been purchasing wearing apparel
for self and boys. Have buffalo shoes
for Willie aud I; muskrat cap and
gloves. excellent qnali'Y for myself
Think will get rhe loan OF buffalo
coat from Cspt. Bu:nham next week for
the winter. Then I will be fxe as far
as bein. projected from the cold guea
SATURDAY EVENING, lgrH INST. We
went up TO the school house this morn
ing and found that the Superintendent
had nothing in order and We directed
him to properly arrange all the property,
each kind by f'seTf, aud We would return
Mondsy morning.
After our return to the house, VIM
Okey. Thad Parker and went out hunt
ing prairie chickens. Thai and each
KILLED one Wm. Okey shot several
times, but failed to bring one down. An
Indian named Rushing Eagle drove the
team. We returned about Q o'clock al.
ter two hours hunt, tolerably tired
Lieuss. McGonigal and Cory, officers
at the Post, called this afternoon. They
are very pleasant gentlemen and exten
ded an invitstion to call at their qnar
,ers. They live IN style up there aud
we shall live better wien / obtain con.
trol.
20rH INST Yesterday an ol i Indian
died 10 the camp an last night the In
dias we're waiting and mourning aloua
in the vicinity Of the deal mans te9ee.
When q member Of an Indians family
lies In q house or tent the survivors
move out aid never return again. An
other cabin is erected and the family so
into that The old cabin or tent is Sold
traded or destroyed.
Yesterday while out hnnting I saw
three dead bodies up in trees tied securely
to limbs. They we're we'll wrapped 10 blan.
kets. The Indians never G., near the
bodies after burial, as they entertain a
,ieatbly fear OF even s. bone OF dead
person. They say 1t Is "bad medicine
Last night Burdoax. blacksmith, Willie
and Wayne and Tbad Parker went out
to dance. The dance consis OF stand
ling up and going through movement
4 with the body, never moving their teet.
A ahoo ho oh WQ N q
to dance with her and touches him With
a spoon or q. short stick, when be steps
alongside of her and the dance com
uences. A hundred will be on the door
at one time moving their bodies MP and
down to the music--pourding an old
drum head and singing by l5 10 %
1sr,aws The boys all engaged 10 the
dance, except Wayne He declined the
} spoon touch OF sqnsw TO dsnce with
herr ~
Il Oar dinner to-day was excellent
Prairie chicken, beef, stewed peaches,
boiled potatoes. milk, coffee DC. Dr..
Benson took dinner with US.
, The force here are very anxious to
know what changes l intend to make
, when take charge as Agent. | have
not enlightened them further than to in
form the black smith tha' do not intend
to change him before Spring and may
: be not then.
4 am anxious to have q staff OF 6rs'
rate, competent men and women TO a.
.ist me in nv work. l don't want t.
make any mistake IN my appointments
o for shouli do so removals would havt
e to be made and others appointed in thei
stead. The work outdoors and In thu
Office will occupy my entire time, and
want to do it right and improve on th
q present management, which Is go.as
3, ou. please, to say the least OF 1t.
( Iin,end to have each Indian famil'
70 erect q comfortable log house righ
. taway. When one is completed stove ant
. pipe will be furnished. Their tents or
y cold and unfit to live in.
le The manner OF bu,chering cstile need
,e reforming A beef Is Knocked down
., skinned and cut up o, the ground an
never washed a. particle. Then 1t
piled up in the beef house and cut U
K and dis,rlbu,ed a. the Indians need 1t.
II All farming machinery and imple
d, ments are out 10 the weather. A build
=, ing will be erected in which to stor
them when not hein9 used.
" The saw mill building and many othe
IN things are In had shape and will be loot
e ed after and made better 9. the earlie'
e. moment possible. EHlv in January Ii
= supply OF clothing. shoes DC, has to
' issued TO the Indians for the, year On
~ many other duties have to be attendt
Id. tn so you see will have nv hands IA
all the time. and need men to help q
q, who understand their business thoroug
tn ly.
-. 22D INsT.-This morning. Tuesda
'' We went into the warehouse and work'
re hard until noon counting and weighiI
OF articles. Alter dinner Msj Parker al
np called on Miss Dickson. the Princir
no, OF the Presbyterian Missionary Scho
and remained half an hour. She has
'"' Indian boys and girls under her cs
ore and instruction. She has been here q
as years.