The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-06-15
ONE GOOD indian
And He's Not a Dead Indian,
and That's Quanah Parker,
ONCE A SAVAGE TERROR
But Now Labors for the Civil
ling of His People.

Guthrie, o. T., June 14.-Elmer re.
Brown, editor of the Oklahoma City
Times-JournaI, is making a trip over the
territory. In his latest letter he says:
The most interesting part of our trip
throug the Comanche reservation, was a
visit with Quanah Parker. chief Of the
tribe. Our horses had been driven so
heavily the day before in order to reach
Fort Sill that we decided that rest was
due them. We therefore drove out fifteen
miles westward to Quanah Parker s,
where We arrived just at noon, and put
up until the following morning. Mr.. Knott,
Of our party, was quite well acquainted
with Quanah, which insured US warm
welcome. The family dinner was Just
over, but preparations were at once be-
gun upon a meal for US. Soon we were
invited into the dining room to partake
of a meal cooked by full-blood indian
suuaws. The meal was such a one as
one would expect of a well-to-do farmer
After dinner We spent three OF TOUR
hours climbing the mountain back OF
the chiefs home. A magnificent view
it was from the top Of that mountain!
There nestled Quanah's hne thirteen
room residence, well up against the
foot of the mountain. To the east anu
west a mile or so away. projected spurs
of the mountains, forming a cove TWO
miles in diameter, all of wnlch Is
claimed and occupied by the chief for pas
+Ire and tillage. The mountain peak 5
made up of huge granite poulders' OF
blocks. many of them larger than bhe
Temple block. 1t is bald, necessarily So
because no mold, or even crushed or
ground granite, IS to be found upon II n
which any sort Of vegetable CROWN can
find a foothold. At the foot OF the noun
tain for twenty or thirty rods out Is
timber belt, and off to the right IS
fine forest, a section in extent. on either
side OF Ouanah's home, a half mile away
flows a fine mountain brook The PLAIN
that spreads out beyond is richly carpeteo
with blue-stem grass and upon II was
grazing the chiefs GOO head of cattle.
We found the chiefs home an interest
irg one indeed, but not nearly SO as the
owner. At supper we sat down to Inc
table with the family, consisting o.
Ouanab and his four wives, the children
being all away from home attending
school. Although they can not speak
word Of English the women conducted
themselves pretty much as well-mannereo
white women do Something quite laugh
able occurred to one of them and she dla
not try to repress her mirth, but We con
soled ourselves with the belief that we
did not furnish the subject for the nner'
riment.
Ouanah Parker has an interesting
history. and in addition has most IN
teresting perso nahty. His mother wa:
a white woman, stolen from her people
when she was but five years old. she
was adopted into the Comanche tribe
and was married to the chief and Waf
the mother of three children before
she was again re-captured. She insisted
upon returning to her people and WoulC
not be consoIed. So heartfelt. was Lei
grief that her people soon allowed her tt
return to the tribe. She died when Quanat
was about six years old.
Quanah used to be a most valiant
warrior, and earned his place as chic
by impetuous bloody warfare upon thf
whites. Now he throws all of his grea
energy into the work Of civilizing his peo
pie. He will not speak Of his deeds upOI
the warpath, but is quite ready to discus!
any question connected with the advance
1nent of his people. He is something o
a philosopher and in his talk there i!