The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-05-11
MlTSCHER THE TWELFTH AGENT
HIS Eleven Predecessors Have Trav-
eiIed Thorny Paths.

|
Guthrie. o. T, May s.-Of the notorious
| thou5les incidentally ornamental on the
| position OF the Usage Indian agent, the
| Pawhuska Journal says editoriaily FOR
the twelfth time since coming from their
present reservation, the Osages have a
new agent. They have come aud gone
before but the members OF the tribe
| have pursued the even renor OF their
way, and now the fact that there Is to
! be a new agent excites but little inter-
est The Indian agents of the Usage
nation as a general thing have had an
| exceedinly hard road to Iraye L Less
than two years has been the average So
I iourn 1. C. Gibson who was their agent
when they came here, styed with them
for several years, while Major Miles re-
manned among them for nearly twelve
years But in order to do this he had
to take two or three bitches at it. TAX
ing out these two notable exceptions 1t
will be found that the average life OF
the Indian agent here is very aobreviat-
ed. Without mentioning any names the
Journal would like to re call some Of the
doings Of Indian agents of the past. The
first agent had trouble with ring that
manipulated the old lands Of the tribe
and they caused him man va nights I'M
rest. II took two years for him to get
clear from the government, although it
was found that his accounts were in
good shape but then this IS one Of the
troubles of the Indian agents. Red tape
hampers them everywhere. One agen
came donw here and soon became dis
~ 1yoI hi
goods and LEFT within a month of his
coming. 1t IS said that ever after, even
the bare mention of an Indian agency
caused the cold chills to chase themselves
up and down his spinal column. There
was also another Indian agent who
stayed just a little while. An inspector
came down and looked into things and
privately told the agent to get off the
reservation in hot haste. He went and
never came back to straighIen UP affairs
One agent had force of cavalry to back
him up but the situation was to straining
on his nerves and he too resigned. SO
it has been all through the history of In
dian agents. They do not find it very
pleasant situation. The salary is not
large enough, considering the bond given
people seem to think of nothing else
except how to make life miserable for
the agent. Some have selfish plans to
be carried out. These are some OF the
causness fthe shortness Of the stay Of
Indian agents. Politics has also had
something to do IN the matter. 1t Is al
ways a struggle Of the outs to get in
and whenever man gets turned down he
then lays all his trouble to the Indian
agent and there the trouble begins. A
new agen. comes this week to the Osages
and it IS to be hoped that his official
life may he more pleasant than his pre-
decessors. To please all factions on and
off the reservation is a task that is i'm
possible. Many a good man has tried it
to his sorrow. Mr.. Mitscher may sue
coed, and it is hoped that he will, al
though the chances are muon against
him. He possesses the reputation Of be-
ing a man Of strong character and pleas
ing disposition. He has an enviable rep
utation as a man of honor and integrity.
We wish him success and hope that he
may steer clear Of all the pitfalls that lie
in the pathway of the Indian agents.
May their troubles never be his