Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1889-12-26

"A particularly entertaining exhi-
biton was that given last Thursday
night at the academy by the students,
eing the customary closing exercises.
The prizes, heretofore mentioned in
these columns, were awarded to: Lii
lie Burns, recitation; Laura Ohouteau,
reading; Bert Holderman, defamation.
The judges experience d not little diff
fculty in reaching decisions because
of the excellence displayed by nearly
/ all the contestants. In the case Of the
three young men, Holderman, Mitch
ell and Little, each OF the three judges
chose one, and it took fourth person
TO effect decision. In the otheI cases
there was really no division. though
one of the number refrained
from acting in one instance
after discovering his colleagues
we're a unit. At least two of the class
Of nine boys in "Choice of Trades, F"
we're entitled to especial credit, for
their manner of speech and action,
but this was true of all the perform
ers of the evening. On the whole, the
school is certainly to be congratulated
upon the talent which il possesses
The chapel was as full as comfortably
could be and all enjoyed the literary
treat provided, or appearances are
extremely deceptive. During the
evening a supply of popcorn was dis
tributed five sCnts a sack) and from
this source the Dorcas society -an or
ganization of ladies formed for the
purpose OF raising an academy repair
fund derived neat little purse.
Inquiries have lately been made by
the interior department authorities in
regard to depreciation claim Of j. M
Crutchfeld, for the estate, against the
Kiowa and Comanche Indians. A re-
porter ascertained from Lee Crutchfeld
that early in the seventies his family
lived upon a ranch near Jacksborough,
Texas, and that at different times they
lost upwards of 100 horses at the hands
of the Indian tribes named. In those
days the Texas frontier was sparsely
settled and Indian raids were o
frequent occurrence and were &C
companied by the most inhumar
butcheries imaginable. On one occa
sion, sixteen miles from Jaeksborough
mule train was captured and Mint
men chained to the wagons and burned
TO death. Gen. Sherman, being on 1
tour of inspection of the southwestern
posts, happened to be in town and af
ter,dispatching the post commander oI
an immediate pursuit, he started will
an escort for TT. Sill, in this territory
shortly after reaching that point BiI
Tree and Santanta, two war chiefs, ar
rived with their men and forty heaC
; Of mules which they had driven OF at
the time of burning the train nea
a Peterborough. Both chiefs were i'm
= mediately arrested, taken back to Tex
a as, tried for murder and sentenced 4
< be hung. The governor, however, com
muted the sentences to lie imprison
ment aud some years later Big IRE
a died and then Santanta was pardono'
a out. IL was nearly impossible 10 rrea
a punishment upon those maraudin
. bands at the time Of their raids, 70
n they would either run away, or
n overtaken make hght aud Then 81
n cape. The proof ID The Crutcnhel
! claim is ample aud conclusive an
y there Is scarcely ANY doubt that 4
20 vorable action will esentually be s.
"a cured.
or Has the pasi year been Irospe
GUS With your