The Russellville Democrat., 1889-08-08

and it's future, for the land is certain ly adapted to farming, judging from the crops growing in the adjoining territory.
 From the above statement of facts any reasonable man can determine whether he isreadY to move to Okla homa or remain where he is.
 One other point 1 will state, and that is, Oklahoma is almost due west of Pope county and about 250 miles distant on a straight line, with water and timber enough, generally speak ing (tlmber being scarcer than wa ter, for water is easily had by dig ging). There is, on an average one ton of hay to every acre of land in Oklahoma, and if it is worth fifty cents per ton standing, it will bring as much money as the cotton crop of Pope county.
 Now, we will pass to the western border of the territory, distance of about thirty miles from Oklahoma City, and we find ourselves at gov ernment headquarters, where troops are stationed at Ft Reno to keer peace between the.Indians and the whites, and tc assist the government in caring for the uncivillzed tribes by feeding and clothing the red skins.
 To undertake to convey anything like definite idea of the customs and manners of these Indians would be the next thing to an imposslbility. They are made up of different tribes when they come into be fed, which is the case every two weeks.
 The women, like the men, wear some kind of buck skin trousers or pants, with beaded moccasin buck skin shoes, with a red blouse reason ably short, covered over with beads, shells, metal or bone plates in the shape of circle nearly the size off a tin cup, and some like half moons. They usually wear earrings, some times almost as large as . bell-clap per, (not so large, of course, as the clapper of church bell) with head dress of beads, buttons, thimbles, brass bells and shells of various col ors.
 The men dress very much after the same fashion, except they wear a red ladies shawl tied around the waist, which looks like an apron. Hats or bonnets are seldom worn. In travelling they go bareheaded even the small babies roast in the sun with but few grunts. On Satur- day these tribes assemble to be fed on Monday, but celebrate Sunday with thelr Indian dances, rlgged out somewhat in the above style.
 Monday morning all the tribes are ready for their rations, and the gov ernment turns over to them about one hundred beeves, and the bucks are in line on their ponies ready to slay them in any manner possible.
 First, the cattle are scared to give them the appearance of herd of buffalo, and when chased and heated up they are slain indiscriminately, without regard to how it is done. While the cattle are being slaugh- ternd the Indian squaws follow up closely, ready to take of the hides, with their children each pulling for it's share of raw beef, and as soon as the hide comes off and the beef is dressed or opened, the little fellows dive in for piece of liver or any other piece most convenient, and they seem to eat and relish their raw diet as much or perhaps more than if cooked. While the little ones are eating with blood smeared pretty we'll over their heads and faces, the squaws are carving all the flesh of the bones Tn large slices or flakes about the size of napkin, which is taken and dried on wires or strings to last for the next two weeks or un til the next beef issue day.
 The government used to slaughter the beef and issue it out to the Indi ans, but they prefer to indulge Tn the sport themselves, making it as much like a buffalo hunt as possible.
 Of late years the government has almost despired of civillzing some of the milder tribes, claiming that education does more harm than good, when the pupils are allowed to re- turn to their tribes, simply to indulge to greater extent than ever, in their nefarious plans of scheming and outlaw.
 It has often been observed that students returning from school, as soon as they reach their tribes they cast aside citlzen's dress, and put on the Indian suit and his var paint to remind them of their former customs. This is more especially true with reference to the Osage Indians, who have degenerated from about 5000 Tn 1858, to 1900 in 1888, although their interests have been so well cared TOT by the government, that they are the richest class of people per head in the world, each being worth $I5, 1000 in cash, besides their landed interests. Other tribes of Indians have made rapid progress in the time of education and refinement,
 especially those living east of Okla
 homa and near Ft. Smith.
 Yours truly, JAMES PoTTs.