Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1895-09-05
FROM THE FAR MORT
Santee Agency, Neb..
July %, 1895.
Editor Goldsboro Argus.

Santee Agency, Neb..
July %, 1895.
Editor Goldsboro Argus.
There was a time not many
years ago, when. as a school boy
[ used to read in the story books
and Biographies of the wild life
Of the Indian on the plains of the
west and wondered if I should
pot some day See him in his ma
tive element. His bow and ar
row, his0paint and tattoo, his
feathered cap and beaded dane
ing coat, his war dance and bat-
tie cry; affected me with a
strange feeling Of fear and ad-
miration. Twenty years of edu-
cational advantages have some
what changed their wild, fierce
habits and the same blocd-thlrs-
ty WarrierS who, in 1876, so brut-
ally massacreed Gen. Clusters
men on the plains of MIN; are
now recognized by the U. S.
government; as citizens of Ne
brasba and have taken and al
lotments of land in the Santee
Reservation.
But it is hard to give
up their savage sports and
old time amusements On
all festive occasions the wild in
stinct predominates and they
abandon themselves to it's intoXi-
cation for the time being and are
Indian again to all intenus and
purposes. They enjoy sensation
and hold much superstition. The
4th Of July is usually celebrated
IN whole weeks continuous
revelry day and night. On such
occasions they have visiting
friends from other tribes who
enter fully into the mirth Of
their friends. Then the milk of
kindness and generosity fills the
bosom of the Red Man and he is
ready to give away the best Of
his personal property. Nothing
is too good for his friend. On
the 4th just passed, this tribe
gave away 100 fine horses as
presents to their friends. An old
Indian who is said to be thor
oughly reliable informs me that
some years ago when they had a
plurality of wives they some
times offered their friends the
choice of them. They are not
now allowed plurality of wives.
The laws prohibit it. The au-
thority of the husband is abso-
lutte over the wife and none of
the courtesies Of civilized life to-
ward the female is practiced
among them except those best
educated. The law does not pro
hibit marriages between whites
aud Indians and it may sound g
little strange when l tell you
that it is Of frequent occurrence.
When a white man marries an In.
dian woman he is called a 'Squaw
man" 1t is nothing uncommar
for one to see the ''Squaw Man
, out riding on Sundays with his
Indian wife and half breed chill
dren-all people of mixed blood
are called half breed regardless
Of the amount Of Indion blood
9th, Eth etc. In a few days,
am told, marriage is to be Gel
| ebrated between an Indian male
teacher and teacher at the Mis-
sion school. She is fine looking
and seems to be highly accom-
f plished. This may seem strange
to wayne county people, bu
; it is in the west and I am tolt
, the same condition of society
exist throughout all this prairi,
country.
] The Indian loves his hors
+ dearly and has to be in mucl
want if he sells him. They al
have horses and saddles. The
saddles are double girted, on
I just behind the fore shoulder AM
one just in front Of the flank
2 Thus fastened, they can stay il
q the saddle on a bucking Bronc
= until the mad animal is out o
wind and gives. up. Sometime
the Bronco lies down and tries t
wallow it off, but when he get
: up he finds both saddle and Ir
s dian on his back ready for NOR
fun. They are proverbially fon
Il of hunting. The Buffalo is n
q more for him in the wild chase
IS and the deer are not SO plentifr
d as in former years, but he find
g royal fun in shooting prari
d chickens, quail plover, wild COOS
a and wolf, jack rabbits and fish
- ing. About the only 1uarks th
# Buffalo has left on these plains
If his bones and chips. The forme
Il arepolished and mounted in,silve
" or gold and areprized as a relic fl
is their rich, dark hue. The latter
more rare, most Of it having bee
picked up and burned in tE
place of wood, which is the sea
cest thing on the plains, exec
vatermelons and colored peopl
D I haven't seen a negro" since
le came and the watermelons a.
ct like Pats drinks, "too long b
le tween" They are all importe
O. from Georgia or other portion
n of Fair Dixie. The Nebrasl
ne melon will not be ripe for
r. month yet.
Or The dance is the favorite soci
Id amusement among the Indian
be Last night [ saw .my first on