The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-04-11
VICTIMS OF THE PALE FACE.
SHAMEFUL TREATMENT OF INDIANS
A Quaker Lady, Missionary to the Ponca
and Modoc Tribes, Relates Some of Her
Experiences With the Red Mana
Cruel Government.


down by the Christian religion, and the
whole tenor of its preeepts illustrated in
the life of its founder, are contained in
these two words, 'do good" Though
simple in expression, the words contain a
world OF import. The fulfillment of this
command embraces the discharge of all
duty. A life wholly consecrated to the
good of others is worthy OF all admira-
ton, not to say emulation. Self-sacrifice
is for it an every day experience, if not in
truth necessary condition for the fulfill
ment of its mission. Such devotion for
the betterment OF others is personified in
the life of Mrs. Emeline futile, who was
delegate to the late general conference
of the Friends Woman's missionary So
cieties held in this city
Mrs. Tuttle's life has been a romance.
Her field of labor for the past fifteen years
has been among the Modoc Indians and
other tribes in the Indian Territory.
Through her influence, in great part, mis-
sions have been established, and the Red
man has become imbued with some ideas
OF civilization.
She was born in New England and was
brought up in the society of Friends. She
was married in 1872, and her husband
took up his abode in Cleveland, o. In
that year President Grant threw open the
Indian reservations To missions and
other civilizing influences. The Quakers
were not dilatory in sending out
their missionaries, but took UP
the work at once. The husband and her
self ''felt a call from God" Mrs. futile
said, and nothing was left for them to do
but TO obey. Their first missionary work
was done among the Ponca tribes near
Baxter Springs, Kas. Their labors were
begun under every difficulty.
The members of the tribe were densely
ignorant of any civilized customs. 1--WE
had to teach them how to sit at table, :"
she said, chow to eat, and how to lie in
bed Additional difficulties were found in
the utter loss of confidence which the In
dian felt toward the white man. / would
not say anything against our government.
but the truth is that it has made eight
or nine hundred treaties with the Indian
and has broken nearly every one of them.
~ have been among the Indians long
enough to know" she continued with fer
vor, "and l can look at each side of the
question. The Indian has been cruelty
treated; yes, shamefully and disgracefully
treated. When / went among them thew
could hardly believe that any pale face
should wish 10 treat them Justly or even
humanely. There they were, cooped up
on their reservation, q mere collection OF
scattered bands having been driven from
place to place by the strong power OF the
white man. That white man could not
tell the truth was with them an axiom.
One old chief on being taught something
of the nature of heaven wanted TO know
if il was place where the white nina
tells no lies.
Under these very discouraging circum-
stances Mrs. futile remained faithful TO
her duty, and was at last rewarded by
winning their confidence. Many of the
most prominent men of the tribe Were
converted TO Christianity.
Il have stood by the dying beside -
said Mrs. futile, "of nine chiefs who
were converts TO Christianity. Their
deaths were the most triumphant / ever
witnessed"
The white mans cruelty was frequently
by the government agents, which had q
corresponding influence on the Indians
prejudice and hate.
''While ] was among the Ponca tribes. -
said this missionary, 1.-THE government
agent had one OF the chiefs, Big Snake,
treacherously put TO death on trumped-
up charge of some kind, and had his
brother, Standing Bear, thrown into
prison. But there was lawyer living at
q town not far from the reservation, who
heard of the outrage, and carried the case
into the courts. The charges against
Standing Bear were shown TO be false,
and the imprisoned Chief was set free.
As he passed into the open air he threw
down the tomahawk which he carried,
picked IL up, kissed II, and handing IL "a
his beneiactor said in broken English.
Indian no need for his tomahawk when
white mans laws prot ect him, which was
"a beautiful thought
Mrs. futile told touching story OF the
suiierings OF the Ponca tribe when finally
removed from their lands. IL WIS simply
told, but was made lifelike from the very
simplicity OF the narration
"Whcn they received their orders 10
leave she said, they felt just as sorrow
lul as YOU would feel II you were com.
mandcd by superior power to leave your
home In Indianapolis. / went out the
next morning after the news was received
and saw them sitting about everywhere I'm
mute despair ! did all / could 60 com.
fort them. ! told them Of Jesus and Ills
love for them how lie suffered that He
might aympathlzo with and holp thOn.
OH did feel 40 sorry for them, aud
prayed that somehow they might bo com.
fortsd. Their removal 20 the Indian Ter.
rltory was begun NJ once, Many of them
died OF hunger and other suiferinRs on the
way. Their Punishment was great nils.
take and the government afterward saw
10. bat u WIS then too late,
think the government should erect tomb
stones NJ the grave Of each one who died
on that long Journey, and write on them
the opitaph, Victim OF the white man''
great mistake
IN referring 10 the iniuatlee done 10 the
Indian 10y the government, she stated thai
tho cause OF the great Sioux war originated
IN the conduct Of drunken agent "fht
Sioux Ind been on the point 81 starvation
when an emigtant train reached the gov
eminent post, An emncIated OK hac
been Turned out by the omlRanlh % die
The siouNs Killed and deyourod II. Til,
agent, while IN state OF semi.intoxlCa
ton, heard Of the affair lie sent mes
senger NTH the idiotie demand a. return
the OK. The Sioux chiefs stated the oN'i
fate. The messengers reported 10 Tho
agent. lIG could not be satisfied viii
anything but the OK. After many men
aces aud threats ho sent out detachment
20 bring IN the OK at all hazards, tn,
! Sioux we're nnddened by the agents i'm
becility and dispatched the whole force
A great massacre was reported 20 the gov
ernmcnt aud hostilities began"
Mrs. Tuttle moved into the Indian ter
rit0ry after the removal OF the Pcncl
! tribes and began missionary work there
\ Mission posts and churches, through th,
- l.t rtf..