Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-12
rcoRRzsPoxDEScz OF THE DISPATCH

lcokhEsPoNDENcE OF THE DrsPATcH.l
SAC AND Fox AGENCY. I. T.,l
October !.
The Sac and Fox Indians originally
called Sanks, are preparing to take their
land In severalty or by allotment. They
have just concluded treaty with the Gov
ernment which gives to each Sank Indian
160 acres Of land and 81, 900 in cash. The
cash that the Indians receive is the proceeds
OF the sale Of their surplus land and amounts
to s435, 900.
The Sanks in the Territory number prob
ably 450 or 500. There are 400 in Iowa, and
80 but recently moved from Kansas. In the
old Bible times the Hebrews, from which
the Indians seem to have descended, had
their names changed for some act of valor or
persisteney or defiance. Not SO with the
Sanks. 1t seems that during the Black
Hawk War. in 1882, some Of the Sanks re-
fused to fight, and sneaked off like foxesJ
and for abbreviation Sank was changed to
Sac, hence their present name, Saos and
Foxes.
ARIsToCRATIo sAvAGEs.
They are an aristocratic tribe of Indians.
They feel that a white man is not their
equal. They have adopted a constitution
for the government of their people, and its
preamble is similar to the Constitution Of
acknowledges the Supreme Being. They
council often and at length. They have as
much trouble getting q quorum as their
brothers of paler hue. They talk much
about nothing, and talk nothing about
much, filling in the time by chewing and
splitting.
attended their council in the interest Of
the education of:their children. They had
weightier matters to discuss, but they kind
ly voted that I might speak first. There
they sat, their keen, black eyes and dark.
swartby faces showing no signs of either ap-
probation or contempt. They listened and
showed respect for me and they kindly told
me that I was at liberty to remain while
they discussed the demands of the 80 Kan
sas Sanks who atone time withdrew from the
tribe in the Territory, but now come In for
their share of land and money.
A BIT OF INDIAN oRAToRY.
The discussion was in their own language
and I understood but two words, one In
English and the other Indian. Everyone
who spoke commenced his speech by "Mr.
Chairman" which made me remember that
in the same manner.
Moses Keokuk, son of Chief Keokuk,
after whom Keokuk in Iowa is named, made
the ablest speech of all, as he is the most
notable old man in his tribe. He introduced
all his sentences with "ahah," which means
snow" He is a remarkable man, one Of
the best Indians in existence. He is full
blooded Sac and Fox, is 60 years OF age, and
15 years ago was a blanket Indian, with a
shaved lead, pompadour style, painted face
and three wives, TODAY he is Christian,
a clean, thrifty Christian. He wears eiti-
GEMS clothes, Is proprietor OF the Traders
store, employing three clerks, keeps hotel,
owns q ranch and has white wife. Fifteen
years ago he was converted.
DISPOSAL OF HIS WIVES.
The first question he asked after his con-
version was, "What will I do with my
wives?" This was hard question to answer.
He finally concluded himself to provide for
two of them and live with but one. One Of
the two that was discarded poisoned the
favored wife, it was thought; and so all
were thrown aside and a neat, sensible white
lady, legally married now, presides over his
household.
Mr.. ''K.," as he is called here, is a regu-
lar attendant at the little White Mission
Church right across the road and often
exhorts the people to turn to the right while
in health aud strength. It is in
teresting and impressive to hear him
ask blessing in the Indian
language at his table filled with Indian and
white guests. In his sitting-room hangs q
very valuable picture of old Chief Keokuk
in native costume. His son, the present
head Chief of the Sac and Fox Indians,
then about IL years OF age, is seated at bis
foa in he Of nd in
Philadelphia in 1888. Opposite this unique
picture hangs his marriage certificate,
plain, neat engraving, with the elasped
hands and the other embellishments, uniting
for life Moses Keokuk, Chief of the Sacs
and Foxes, and Mrs. Phoebe King, of the
Ottawa reservation.
QUITE A GOOD INDIAN.
A few years ago, during reunion of the
old settlers of Keokuk, Ia, they sent for
Chief Keokuk. He took with him his vile
and an interpreter and his family. Their
expenses were all paid and they were
treated royalty while there. Old Chief
Keokuk, who was famous with Black Hawk
and others during the Black Hawk War,
was buried at Franklyn, Kan, At the re-
quest Of the people of Keokuk, Ia, his body
was taken up and now rests IN the city that
bears his name. They have erected a fine
over his grave, and q statue OF
the old brave, seated on his horse with his
war bonaet on, graces one of the public
squares.
AN EYE TO BUSINESS.
The Frisco Railroad has crept as far a.
Sepulpa, about 30 miles away from the
agency Right here will be a town. Old
Chief Keokuk realizes this. He is building
D fine large store, and experimenting all
The work himself.
The Indians say that I have come too soon
for their children. Almost all of the tribe,
with few visiting Iowas and Osages, are
feasting, dancing and praying about 30 miles
away on the road to Guthrie. They are ex-
pecting to resurrect two dead Indians. They
claim that one has arisen. The people Of
Guthrie are taking great interest in the
dance and are making many visits. The
Indians don't like intruders and threaten to
charge an admission fee. E. II. D.
INSURANCE OF WOMEN.