Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-13
BLENDING OF CUSTOMS
TOPIC DISCUSSED IN REPORT BY
MAJOR sToUCH.
Improvement Noted Among the Okla
homa Indians-Young Bucks
Have Their Hair Cut.

The blending of the customs of the red
men and the palefaces is discussed in a re-
port recently sent to Washington by Major
George w. H. Stouch, United States army
| the agent In charge of the Cheyenne and
Arapahoe Indian reservation in Oklahoma
AS the views of an authority on the sub
| ject the report throws interesting sidelights
on what Is really taking place in the ANAL
gamation of the two races. Major Stouch
says:
Many Of the older Indians adhere to
their lifelong customs. yet they do not In
dulge In them to any alarming or detri-
mental extent. By moral suasion and
friendly advice number of the young In
dams have been prevailed on to discontinue
the wearing Of long hair.
NO strenuous effort has been put forth
to induce the old Indians, who have worn
long hair all theil days, to shear thei-
locks, as to compel them to cut their hair
would be very bad policy and result in
more harm than good. The loss of their
hair would make the old fellows weak,
Inundated and cowed characters out of
what are now strong and leading spirits.
Best Support From Old Men.
1.-THE best support comes from the old men
with the long hair. The noxious practice
of painting their faces has not been in
dulged in to any great extent, and 1t Is
rare thing, indeed, to see a. member of
either Of the tribes at this agency going
about with face besmeared with colored
paints. Nearly all Of the Indians wear
citizens dress. In whole or in part and an
Indian in a blanket or a sheet Is rarity.
AS they become in better financial condi-
ton they will assume the garb of the Amer
lean citizen to greater extent. The use
of intoxicants as beverage by these In
dams Is on the decrease rather than on an
increase. Some people will take issue with
me on this assertion, yet 1 am sure that 1
am right.
TN days gone by. before the Indians
were allotted their lands, there were no
towns scattered about among the tribes
In which whisky could be obtained by them
Consequently when they did get to a town
where they could lay in supply of fire.
water they would go on general tear,
the enects OF which In nearly every case,
would wear off before they would return
to their homes. The Indian who now de-
sires 1T can go into these little towns with
which he is surrounded, get any quantity
OF the vilest of whisky for which he can
pay, Which soon renders him very much
Intoxicated, crazy and drunk, and he is
seen by all around him.
Decrease Noted.
Dancing has decreased very materially.
Not single Objectionable feature now en-
tiers the ceremonies permitted the Indians
Each tribe is allowed to come together once
year at stated time, prescribed by the
agent and to remain congregated for a
week, during which they conduct religious
ceremonies-to them as sacred, and in many
cases more so, than those conducted by
some Of their white brethren. The marital
relation is gradually improving, and it Is
very rare that an Indian man and woman
attempt to live together as man and. wife
without being united under the laws of the
territory