Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-09-02

is so, seeing that he is protected Meth
er by the laws of God nor man. Hence
hs becomes an outlaw in many cases.
A pathetic case is related, which l can
scarcely believe to be true. for frater-
nal love is as strong in the breast of the
red man as of any other race. A white
desperate killed an Indian to get pos
session of his mine. The dead mans
cousin in turn killed the murderer, and
did not stop until he had killed sew
eral others and thought his revenge was
complete. When the news was report
ed at the station" the usual raIding
party was organized. number of In
dams were killed, and finlly it was
learned that this particular Indian had
brother among the few that had been
captured. He was told to return to his
camp and bring back to them the head
of his brother, the murderer. Failing,
they would organize a large party and
exterminate all the Indians on the Mo-
jave desert. The Indian soon returned
with the ear of another Indian, which
he said was that of his brother, whom he
had slain. The desperadoes wanted more
proof. Under threat the Indian did re-
turn with the head of his brother. This
seemed to appease the wretches, and
no massacre followed. 1t is believed,
however, that white man assassinated
the murderer and compelled the broth
er to bring in the head. and claim that
he murdered his own brother.
However, since that time the Indian
has become morose and has taken to
the wal path. He has followed the trail
OF the miners through the ravines and
Il
whenever found. At last accounts he
has assassinated nine men and two
women, none of them being party to
the deed which drove him to seek such
hellish revenge.
Indian traiierS are often used in these
expeditions. for there are renegades
among the red men as we'll as other
races. The trailers hang around the
towns. have forsaken the life of vaga-
bondage and become sufficiently civ
illzed to betray their people-for q
price. They are. however, not trusted
by the white people. and when a few
desperadoes attempt to regulate" the
town. they occasionally shoot one OF
these domesticated Indians, Just to see
him fall" When off duty, the trailers
sell bows. arrows and pottery to tour
lists at the railroad depots. These are
made by the squuws and children-the
Indian brave generally considers it be-
meath his dignity to labor. The squaw
also does the cooking, gathers the wood,
and brings in the brush for the con-
structIon of their rude huts.
The Indian trailer is selected for his
keen eyesight and sharp hearing. Along
the trail. almost obscured by drifting
sand, he can see the footprints which
tell him whether it is that of an In
dian or white man. and the number.
a bruised or bent twig or blade OF
grass is sign he readily reads, and by
The imprints around the camp fire he
reads the number of campers end their
movements. He shades his eyes with
his hand and looks into the distance
and discerns human figures which to
the ordinary eye are black speck, or
perhaps not seen at all. He places his
ear to the ground. and. rising. points
in certain direction, and grunts:
tUmph, heap. many" Presently cloud
of dust is seen, and II the palefaces are
in large numbers. they stand and re-
ceive it with volley. Otherwise they
fly toward camp. for it is band of saw
age Piutes sweeping down upon them,
and perhaps a massacre follows.
]. NJ. SCANLAND.
AT Colon. Mich. farmer found