Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-01-20
Situation at the Tama Reserva.
ton Calls for Prompt and
Effective Action.
Health Authorities Unable to Get
Any Word From Indian
Commissioner.
Burning OF Tepees and Indians
Effects Strongly Urged
by Dr.. Linn.
pecial to Times-Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
| Des Moines, Jan. 20.-At the meeting
of the state board of health last week
one of the principal topics of discussion
| was the smallpox situation on the Tama
reservation. DR.. "A. NJ. Linn, who had
charge OF that matter, representing the
board, reported verbally on the situation
to the effect that while the epidemic is
| ended the Indians desire to be relieved
of the quarantine and the people are de-
manding distinction and the destruc-
| ton of the dangerous belongings of the
| Indians, yet the United States govern
ment is powerless. He was requested to
put his report into writing and file it
with the board, which he did today as
below. DR.. Linn personally says that
the situation is most distressing. Some
thing ought to be done at once. There is
danger of the Indians leaving the reser-
yation and spreading the epidemic. They
know that the disease is nearly wiped
out and they are restless and impatient.
Yet the commissioner of Indian affairs
refuses to even answer a polite note
asking for information on the subject
Ex-Governor Shaw will carry with him
tc Washington an urgent request that
some action be taken. 1t is probable
that members of congress will be impor
tuned to stir up the authorities. The
following is DR.. Linn's report as filed
with the secretary today:
"Des Moines, Iowa, Jan. A. 1902. f.
Kennedy, Secretary Iowa State Board of
Health-Dear Sir: I submit herewith
the following report of the condition of
the Indians on the reservation at Tama.
Iowa. In compliance with the orders of
the board in November last visited the
Indian camp at Tama and succeeded in
inaugurating means looking toward
their relief. Committees of the citizens
at Tama, Toledo and Montour were or
ganized for the Improvement of their
unfortunate condition. The adJutant
general supplied tents and cots for hos
pital purposes and much was accom-
plished toward affording them relief A
number OF the Indians took advantage
of the aid offered, and the results of the
work done probably saved a number of
lives. Unfortunately, the Indians them
selves are very suspicious. Divisions and
diassensions among them induced many
Of them to leave the tents and caused
partial failure OF the efforts for their
relief The epidemic has about expended
its force Nearly all the Indians that
survived are now practically well. The
severity of the smallpox among them
may be known by the fact that more
than forty of them died. The epidemic.
which is SO light in form thruout the
state, was attended by a large mortality
among the Indians because of their total
disregard of all hygienic rules, and a
lack of proper care, during larger part
OF the time. A very serious problem
now confronts this board, namely, the
renovation of this camp. On my return
from the reservation I began an investi-
cation of the means by which the dis
ease infected clothing and possessions of
the Indians might be destroyed. There
lie no authority vested in the state which
permits 1t to destroy their effects. More
over, these could not be taken without
{ compensation. Neither is there any fund
at the disposal of the board, or of the
state authorities, from which they could
draw to compensate the Indians for
their property If destroyed. The govern
ment likewise seems to be about as help
less as the state authorities. Shortly
after my return I addressed the follow
Ing letter to the secretary of the in
terror:
".Hon. z. A. Hitchcock, Secretary Of
the Interior, Washington, D. C.-My
Dear Sir: You are aware from reports
severe form among the Indians on the
reservation at Tama, Iowa. 1t has at
this date nearly run its course, with an
attendant mortality of from IL to 10 per
cent. We are now confronted with a
most important question, viz: the reno
walton and the disinfection of this camp. |
Unless this is done. and we'll done, Iowa |
viii be In constant danger from vista
ton of this disease for years to come. |
Not only this, but visiting Indians from |
other reservations are liable to convey I
the disease elsewhere. We especially de-
sire to rid our citizens from danger,
present and future. 1t is of sufficient /
to cause us great concern. Our
state has no fund upon which the board |
&c health can draw for this purpose Our
bands are helpless for lack of means. To
renovate this camp only one
agent will be sufficient and that is fire.
Each wickiup or tepee is made of woven
'eeds or rusfes, and their sleeping mats
ire also made of this material In each
If these are bundles of woven rugs,
;ciled clothing and sundry effects of
iery little value. All these are capable
,f preserving the contagion Indefinitely
They are thus constant menace and will
De for years to come. All these should
De cremated and necessarily whatever is
must be replaced. The state
provided hospitals for the sick, and the
adjacent cities contributed food and
.ospital supplies and attendants We
rave done all that we can. These are
he nations wards within our borders
We desire efficient renovation of this
amp to the end that the state may not
'e subjected to the hazard of further
oss of life. We feel that the least the
government can do is to provide clothing
md issue the Indians blankets, tents,
tc., to replace those which must be
remated, to insure stay of this
plague. Consequently by direction of
ur state board of health we make this
ppeal to you. Possibly thru the medium
# the war department you may find as
istance in providing the needed tents
lothing and supplies. Were we in pos
ession Of a state fund upon which we
ould draw for relief, or We're the neces-
titles less urgent we would not feel con-
trained to make so urgent an appeal to