The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1894-12-06
UNCLE SANS WARDS MAKE
SLOW PROGRESS.
STILL STICK TO THEIR OLD WAYS.
The White Man Continually Cheats Him
Whenever an Opportunity Offers
Poor Los Condition Wiu Have
Influence la shaping Ter
rituritl Legislation LaI
Marriage Relations.

WAeHrNDruN. Dee. - The condi-
tiou of the Indians in Oklahoma terri
tory which was formerly part Of
Indian territory together with their
advancement or deterioration since
the free admission OF white men
among them and the organization OF
the territory under government con
trol will probably have considerable
to do with the admission OF Indian
territory as state or the organiza-
tion Of the territory directly under
government control The state OF
affairs makes the recent reports from
Indian agents in oklahoma Of more
than ordinary interest
Captain 4. +. Woodson, Fifth cav
airy, acting agent at the Cheyenne
and Arapahoe agency, says the pro
greSs Of those tribes toward civiliza-
tion has been slow Though de-
slared TO be citizens he said, they
are So only in name; they were not at
the time nor have they become so
since ullotmcnts were taken. it is
questionable policy whether allot-
mcut, should have been given to or
the right Of citizenship should be con-
NOT prepared for the metamorpho,is
u their condition that must ensue
before they become prepared 70
exercise the same. They are not
ready 10 cope with their more
H~tute white ueighbors and are Of ne
Cc-~.tv greatly dependent on their
agents for advice and protection. TO
him they bring all their grievances.
Their almost daily tales Of the white
mans impo .itiun and injustice keep
r m busy in his efforts To ad just such
matters satisfactory TO all concerned.
Tup daily conflict Of the white man 5
laws with the Indian habits and Gus
toms /, pulling 10 them in the eX-
trrmc They cannot understand why
tAc. may not have two wives ar why
they may not take the property of
relative and use it IL they SO desire,
whether the owner consents or not.
uc Also states that the Indians have
taneu uo interest in politics nor cared
tu.uNrrciac the right of franchise.
Although allotments are taken, trib-
al relations are still maintained, even
though the lands have been allotted to
chem 100 scvcralty. The same old
customs prevail, the same old super
st.tou, and the belief in the efficacy
of medicine men the same marital re-
latiou- with plurality Of wives and
the same incliua ton 10 idleness with
lacl, # thrift and industra How
ever they are agreed on one point.
Captain NoOdsOn says. The free
dom from crimes of these Indians IL
remarkable. Although entirely sur
rounded and intermingled with
whites in tauces are rare wherein
J. v.lI
violation of existing statutes.
AT the Usage agency, where there
are l5U5 Oaages and 2ls Kaws, Ma ior
h b Freeman. Sixteenth infantry,
does not think there is much progress,
although the Osapes regard them
selves as a great nation.
j. l.. Nuolsey. ia charge of Ponca,
PaWuce. Otoe- and oklahoma agency,
has % divided report, the different
tribes varying. The Poncas are max.
.uF rapid progress, being good work
en-, and in "a fair way 10 become good
citizens The Pawnees do not do SO
we'll The whites are thick about
them and whisky is sold to them.
The Otoc, are little better, though
very stubborn, and given To 'gh ost
dancing However, the agent has
prevailed upon them TO do considera-
bile work. They are opposed TO taxi
inp allotmeut,. lie reports very lit
tle moral Improvement 1t is true. A"
hc says, that some of the more civil
izcd and educated Indians respect the
holy tics but a majority of them
think no more of changing wives than
they do of swapping ponies, some of
them living with two or three differ
Vnt ones in one year.
Mr. Noolsey're portsj a better state
of things at the Oakland sub agency
occupied by Tonkaway Indians
Edward II. Thomas, agent of the
Sac and Fox agency, makes "a favor
able report of the Indians under his
care. lie sums them up in the fol-
lowing: There has been a slow,
but very marked change for the
better among all the Indians Of this
agency
The Best in the business.
The Texas company have beyond
question the strongest musical team
on the -oad in Messrs. LaRose &
scott They can boast of an elaborate
and beautiful stage setting and as
musicians they take first rank. Their
act ran for thirty minutes, during
which time they performed beautifully
and artistically on twenty three diff
fcrent instruments, Fort Scott kan.