, 1889-04-18
THE KOOTENAIS.
They Receive Visit From
Washington's Agent.
Who arc In the Primitive state of a Hund'
red Years AE"-Good Chance
for dictionaries.

Major II. ID. Gwydir. agent for th'
Colville Indians. returned on Saturda!
from visit 10 the Kootenai tribe, whom
he supplied With $500 worth of clothing
which was procured for tht IN through tht
efforts Of the major during his recent visi
to Washington.
The Kooteuais are on no reservation and
are under the charge ot no government
agent, although Major Gwydir has taken d
sympathetic interest IN them since his
attention was first called to their condition
last October by Father Jaquet, one of the
Catholic missionaries, and through the
majors efforts they we're at that tine
furnished with the 6rst and only govern.
meat supplies they had ever received
Major Gwydr ieit this city on the 7Lh
inst, accom- panied by interpreter Nolan,
and proceeded to Bonuer's ferry, where he
met the head men vt the kootenai tribe,
Upon Major Gwydtr's arrival runners
we're at once seuC out, aud soon the whole
tribe was presrUt TO meet Washington s
representative, who Distributed the sup
plies OF clothing ss far as they would 20.
The $500 worth of clothing supplied about
100 OF the ludIdns, OF whom there are
about 300 men, women and children.
Major q Gydlr confirms the reports al
ready published concerning the poverty
stricken condition OF these lnIians, VINO
hive along the banks of the kootenai river
and exc OUT miserable livelihood 10y
bunting and fishing. Ma jOr Gwydir found
them almost naked, especially tue old
MeuIbtrs Of the tribe aud the children,
pbie the others were partially clothed IN
the skins OF wild animas. Ice and snow
still prevail IN toe section, and the ln-
dams suffer greatly from n.nger and ex-
pOsuro. They have among them none of
the adjuucts of civilization. and are as
primitive as they were hundred years
ago.
The Indians were all delighted to NEE,
Major Gwydir, and there was "a great
dressing no OF these children of the forest
when the clothing was distributed. Even
those who rec eived none at all seemed rs
much delighted as the Others nt this rccog-
milton OF their needy condition by Wash
iDgton, who is a very great parsonage IN
the mind Of the average Indian.
A long conference was held, during
which the leaders of the rrioe expressed
desire to adopt a life of civilization. They
SAID the white nan was cOning into the
country to drive away their game, thus
depriving them of food for their stomaChs
and covering for their uakejDess. They
did not wish to leave the rivers
and monntaius and valleys which
they had known so long and loved
20 we'll Since the advent Of the white
man bad madc II impossible tor them TO
longer 1--we as their fathers had lived be-
fore them, they were Willing TO adopt bis
ways and become useful citizens. They
were poor and could not bay plows with
which TO cultivate the soil. nor tools with
which 20 build houses To shelter them
from the storm. They desired Washing
ton 10 give them u start-sOmething to
work with and some one to teach then
how to work. in order that they might
provide shelter and clothing and food Tor
themselves aud children.
The country occupied b. the kootenais
is not available for agriculture, except,
perhaps. few vegetables in certain
localities. There are fine hay lands
along the kootenai river, however, and
the raising Of hay, II properly managed,
would soon become ~ profitable pursuit
With proper aid from the government 1T
is believed the tribe would soon become
self supporting. Major G@ydir will ask
the department to supply them with
wagons. plows. mo wing machines, tools,
ETC., and sufficient live stock to enable
them 10 get o start.
There ls already a noticeable improve
ment ln tue moral cObultfon OF tue triot
since Major Gwydir's attention was first
called TO them by Father Jaquet. Before
they received their first rations from the
government they were inveterate gamblers,
but the chiefs have stopped all this.
1t would appear that there Is chance
for some frst.class nissionery. work
among these Indians. IL is subject OF
frequent remark that American mission
ary societies are continually sending money
abroad TO educate and clothe the heatneu,
while hundreds of their own race are suf-
ferlug and even dying from hunger and
exposure in the cit les of the East Major
Gwydir sensibly suggests that II the mis-
sionery societies must deal with savages
they should begin at home; that instead
OF sending clothing, which is not needed
in tropical climate, and fine tooth
combs, which are useless for wool, to the
cannibals in the tropics, they send the
clothes and combs to the American In
dians VINO inhabit cold country and
need clothing to keep them warm, and in
whose straight hair combs would find
comparatively smooth sailing,