The Red Cloud chief., 1902-09-12

WHICH the tOWn " justly pTOuu, anu "
college OF general education in the
languages and sciences is located here.
Her courthouse has just been comple,.
ed at a cost of $50 900. The Sixth
Annual Encampment Of the territorial
militia came to n close the 10Th ut,
after several days Of camp life and
military discipline. drill and routine in
the city park. Thousands of people
visited the camp every day TO witness
the drills: the special attraction being
the regimental parade each evening at
$50 Thousands of strangers were in
the city during the time. On WedDes-
day afternoon the annual sham battle
took place, and was witnessed by fully
five thousand people. Immediately
after the sba II battle orders were issued
to break camp and each outgoing train
took portions of the regiment. The
night before | arrived, during this
encampment, the negroes caused some
trouble at the depot and three com.
panies of militia were called out to
quell the mob. 1t is interesting to me
to watch the Indians in their blankets
and moccasins, and no matter if the
thermometer does register lOS deg. FIR
they will have their blankets wrapped
round them, the most of which are
made of the brightest colors imagin.
able, although some are of sombtr
enough hue.
A great many of them, men as well
as women, braid their raven black hair
in two braids and wrap it for six or
eight inches with the brightest colored
ribbons. Once in a while | notice one
with a feather stuck in their hair. One
morning as ! was going to the Office l
noticed a squaw with a papoose on her
shoulders and holding it there with her
blanket wrapped around both while
just behind her was a young Indian OF
probably fourteen dressed in the bright.
est red and one OF about sixteen in
green that would rival the grass in its
coloring. They do not work, but live
upon their income which has given
some people the idea that they are
fostered by the government, and al
though they are the wards Of the gov.
eminent the money, etc, they receive
from il is the interest on the money
paid them for the lands that have been
opened for settlement. Each Indian
has left a quarter section Of his or her
own which they are permitted to lease
to the whites for a period not exceed
ing two years at the expiration Of which
time it may be leased again. The frs,
years crop, however is almost worth
less as the sod must be rotted and some
Of the numerous weeds destroyed which
is done by turning the sod. The soil il
of a red color and looks to me like clay
but it is a very rich loan as is manifest
ed by the bountiful crops produced
thereon. | have only been out six
miles in the Indian allOttments but they
stretch away as far as the eye can reach
to and beyond the North Canadian
river. l saw the home of n OF thu
chiefs, which is a modest white boz
house. am told farther out the In
dams lives in tents or teepees, but nea'
town they have small houses and the.
also camp out most of the time. | d.
not understand how they endure tn
heat as they do, why they will hav
their heavy blankets wrapped aroun'
them, and seem quite comfortabl
: during the warmest days when tn
! wind, fairly scorches my face. l hav
> seen a few of them with light.weigh
blankets. They take great Pride i
their ponies, and an Indian is wealth
according to the number OF them b
. owns. They have their religion
dances as described in history, but til
". government has forbidden them TO II
flict torture, upon themselves as WI
their custom. learn that they have
Baptist church a few miles in Ii
country, pastored by II white man. Th
|. Cheyenne and Arrapahoes are said
be the largest of the Indian tribes az
they are heavy.
Labor Day, or the list OF Septemb'
was ushered in with rain, and it col
timed all day and as it cooled of Il
air it made it very pleasant indee
There are a great many things that
y would like to tell you about this sectiC
of the country but will not try the p
e thence Of the editor longer this tim
but will probably give you anoth
sketch of Oklahoma life later on.
Myrtle Hewitt.
N Sheppard Roats Wedding