Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1888-03-05
The Noble Red Man.
FOR rHs MovIroR.

FOR THE MoVIroR
In the Womdn'S magazine, Dec,
1887, page 22l, occur these words !
Interesting anecdotes were relat-
ed showing the honesty, truth and
remarkable conscientiousness and
sense of honor of the native Indian. F"
To one who has lived all his life
among the noble red men, there is
nothing that pretends TO have any
claims to truth that rests on so small
foundation. / am now Ga years Of
age, and have been among these ma
tives since l849, and know them inti-
mately. That there are isolated cas-
es of conscientious uprightness among
them, is true. But it is simply the
exception to a general rule. IL is
best perhaps to give few facts as
illustrative of the character Of the In
dians of this Northwest coast. /
speak more particularly OF the Yaki-
mas, those natives who for years had
the guiding genius OF Rev. j. H.Wil-
bur, one Of the most successful men
who has occupied the position Of In
dian agent. One of his Christian In
dans concluded one day that his
squaw (or klootchman, as they are
called) was, on account of her age,
no longer desirable mpanion for
him, and intimated 20 Father Wilbur
his determination TO put her away,
and take TO himself younger wife.
Father Wilbur tried TO convince him
that such proceeding would be un-
christian, but no argument availed 10
change the purpose of this Christian
Indian; hence Father Wilbur, who
was powerful man physically, laid
hold of him and put him la the shook
um house (agency jaiD and kept him
there till he gave promise that he
would obey the Scripture rule. Thi-
is a true representation Of the re-
gard they pay TO the marriage tie
Take an 'ther illus ration. One OF
the commonest ways they have Of re-
plenishing their exhausted purses II
the following: An Indian takes a
horse belonging to another Indian,
runs him off 40 or 90 miles, and offers
him for sale at very low price. II
the person TO whom he offers the
horse is unacquainted with the tricks
of the Siwash (Indian) he has no
difficulty in making a sale. Then the
Indian goes back and tells the real
owner of the horse where he has dis
posed Of him, and he comes iIhmedi-
ately and lays claim to him as stolen
property, and the white man may
whistle for his pay.
Persons travelling through the
country with teams frequently find
themselves at night on the broad
prairie, and must turn out their teams
to Craze for the night. The Siwash
is prowling around, for he seems TO
be ubiquitous. As the morning
dawns the traveller begins to search
for his team. But the search is fruit
less. Hour after hour passes and he
begins 10 despair of success, when he
sees coming toward him over the
prairie a noble Siwash. lie manages
to convey 20 this lord OF the prairie |
his misfortune, and finds a ready lis
tener to his trouble and an offer to
look up his stray team. But mind |
you his sympathy is very small until |
an offer Of a generous foe Is made,
and away he goes 10 bring back the
estrays he himself has run of for the |
express purpose Of getting the fee.
DR.. G.. B. Kendall, the agency
for eight years under
Father Wilbur, informed me person
ally that the squaws were notorious
Iy unchaste, and that great deal Of
his practice among them was for ven
ereal diseases. Ii is also a notori-
Dus fact that many Of the christian
zed Indians, when out from under
the eye Of the officers of the reserva-
lion, will spend their time gambling
and horse racing.
And now, what is the conclusion
of the whole matter? 1t is this That
he amount of money and labor eN-
pended to civilize and christianize
.hese noble red men have met with
very small success. The people OF
he eastern states, remote from these
.ribes, do not know what they say or
they affirm when talking Of
.hese western Indian tribes. hope
some paper of your section will pub
ish these statements.
G. SPALDING.
GOldenddle, w. r., ian. 20.