Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-02-19
EACH INDIAN COST d. 900.
Estimated Expense Of DisposssssinE
the Red 1Ian.

Estimated Expense Of DisposssssinE
the Red BIan.
Since the Fourth OF July, iT76,
when this government began. the In
dians have cost the United States
81. 900, 000. 900. When the old Pequot
chief met the Pilgrim Fathers near
Plymouth Rock and said, "Weleone,
Euglishmen. he spoke for 1000. 900
Indians
That was the estimated number Of
the red race then living within what
are now the bounds OF the United
States. and so 1t appears that to
date the act of disposssssing the abo-
rhymes has cost 81, 900 for every buck.
squaw and papoose living on the soil
when the white man came.
These are round figures, but they
are very close to the exact record.
Three years ago Mr.. Tom Donaldson,
who Is now In charge Of the Indian
census, made careful compilation.
He shows that from July 4, 1776, to
June 80. 1886, the Indians had cost
the government 1929. 289, 284 OF. 1t
is safe to say that the four years add
&c to the record since Mr.. Donald
sons researches will bring the figures
up to 81, 900, 900, 900. This enormous
amount is about one-third OF what the
war OF the rebellion cost One-third
OF the 81, 900, 600, 900 has been spent
In pacifying and civilizing Indians.
Two-thirds CT the 1000, 900. 900
have been absorbed in fighting
Indians.
What is known as the great Sioux
war started in 1852. At that time
there was perfect peace on the plains.
Some Mormons were driving their
cattle toward Salt Lake. Near Fort
Laramie was gathering OF Indians.
The military post was there, and the
Indians were camped near it. One of
the Sioux killed COW belonging to a
Mormon. The emigrant complained.
The officer in command at the post
sent out subordinate with 20 men.
This little force went to the Indian
camp and demanded the surrender of
the Sioux who had killed the cow.
The alternative was that the camp
would be fired upon. The Indians
replied to the demand: I'VE are will
ing to pay for this animal; we will
paw you in buffalo robes or buffalo
skins"
The army officer declined. he re-
peated his demand for the immediate
surrender. The Indians refused. The
officer gave the order to fire. The 20
men obeYed. In 20 minutes the SOL
diers were killed and scalped. That
was the beginning OF the Sioux war
OF 1852. The war lasted three or
four years. 1t cost the United States
between $15, 900, 900 and 500, 900, 900.
The Navajoe war was another.
Three campaigns were made against
the Navajoes. The United States
troops were beaten in each of them.
This Nava!oe war cost the govern
ment nearly 500, 900, 900.
The biggest of all recent Indian
wars was the one about which loast
was published. 1t began in 1862. 1t
had its origin in a comparatively in
significant matter. A contractor for
furnishing Indian supplies sent to the
Sioux agencies what was supposed to
be prime mess pork. The consign-
ment was found to consist largely of
heads of hogs. The Indians went
back on such rations, and took the
warpaGh instead of the souse. Gems.
Sibley and Sully conducted the cam
paign. They had Is, 1000 troops under
them.
In this Sioux war the Galvanized
Yankees, " as they we're called, made
their appearance. There were several
regiments of these Galvanized Yam
kees," and they did good service
against the Sioux. 1t may be ex.
planned that Galvanized Yankees"
were Confederate prisoners who took
the oath of allegiance and enlisted in
preference to remaining in Northern
prisons. Louis Globe Democrat