The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1894-11-08
MONEY VALUE OF A SQUAW.
Why Even an Ugly one IS MatnmonIaIy
Desirable

Just what use a white man can
have for homely dirty Indian squaw
is not clear to many people. In a
city in the Fast he might. perhaps
hire her to the manager of a museum.
D: even in the West. were he fastidi
ons enough to employ q menial, he
might use her as servant. But to
take her as bis wife treat with her.
to be with her day after day, and for
many days at time with her
OEly-that is another thing. And
yet that is just what scores of shrewd
sagacious, intelligent white men are
seeking to do-to marry squaws, re-
gardless Of whether they are old or
young, wrinklcd and hidious, or
smootL-skinned and pretty, only SO
they are full-blooded Indian squaws.
For an Indian squaw on her reserva-
ton is literally worth to a keen white
husband her iyht in gold. The re-
cent payment of cash to the Cherokee
Indians ut SequOyah has developed
much information Of importance in
regards to the Indian situation.
Scquoyah, until the excitement
caused by the payment of some three
quarters of Il million III currency to
the CherOkees, attactcd little atten-
ton. Its only building Of importance
is the Courthouse, which is very
small Recently. however, there was
encamped around the Courthouse at
least 1900 people, some of them with
an idea of permanent settlement.
The majority of this crowd, however,
was attached to the spot by the ex-
cellent prospects of good ready money
business to he done during the dis
tribntion of money per capita to the
destitute Indians \ good many
Indians on receiving their money left
at once, taking the Govornment's gift
with them. Those who remained
lost all their money to the sharpcrs.
There is little doubt that the ma
jority Of the recipients of Govern
mcnt's bounty are wealthier than til,
average white man one meets in /:
days journey, for, thanks to a mos
generous construction of treaties
they have received over and owe
again handsome sums from the Gov
crnment, and the undivided wealth 0
the members of 4 large number o
these tribes average pearel $500
than 81 900. The question of stat,
, hood and the allotment of land t.
individuals has been the main sui
iect of comment for months pas
during the various periods of distribu
ton, and it is singular to note ho,
strongly the proposition is ohjecte
to. There seems to be a general fee
ing that in the early future statehoo
T, and allotment will be forced upon tn
different tribes. in which case ever
man, woman, and child will recciv
quite considerable tract Of Ian,
and will also become entitled to
liberal sum of mcney.
By this arrangement every Indian
I irrespective Of age. would be place
in the position Of a farmer with Il SUI
stantial capital upon whicL to con
mence operations, and that SO favo
able a scheme should be looked on 4:
robbery or oppression is remarkabl
But IN the elections just over ever
candidate who expressed SO much
willingness to consider the propo:
ton was showed under hopelessl
Only here and there intelligent |
dian is met who regards the propo
ton AS an intent upon the part
the United States Government to p
| Il forcibic barrier upon the continue
; encroachments and avarice of t
cattle men and others who are gradu
" intrenching themselves in t
country. and who Will eventually :
sert rights to title and give 4 gre
deal of trouble.
In reality it is the squaw man
the white man who has married
Indian woman, Who is responsible
all the trouble the Government |
encountered in fixing UP treaties 4
600 l;u,y o.rraa,nanfS with the India