The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-27
Red Men of Ability.

An examination of the records OF the
Indian office shows that red men have
filled official positions of Importance with
signal ability. Indeed. the man who first
performed duties corresponding to those
Of the Indian commissioner of today was
full-blooded Mohegan named Sampson
Ocean.
He was born In 1923 and died In 1892. and
was ordained a minister OF the gospel in
1879. While he never held an official po-
sition I'm the strict sense OF the term. he
had exclusive charge of Indian missions
In colonial times. thus occupying posi-
ton measurably corresponding To that OF
commissioner OF Indian affairs. He was
well educated. author of various writings.
and was well received on the occasion OF
a visit he paid 10 England.
Perhaps the most conspicuous figure
among the North American Indians who
have held official positions was Tecum-
sch, or Tecumtha. lie was born I'm 17es.
and killed at the battle of the Thames I'm
1913. lie held positions under the Brit
ish crown az brigadiergenera I'm COM
mand OF British-lndian force OF 2co0, and
was full-bloOded Shawnee.
The Cherokee chief stand Waite. born
1913. died 1871. had "a slight strain OF white
blood lie was colonel and afterward
brigadier-general In the Con fedora te
army, commanding an Indian brigade OF
TWO regiments and three batteries. The
Cherokers are said to rank the highest
today of the Indian tribes i'm the United
states. They were originally one OF the
five nations OF the Atlantic coast and
had made considerable advancement i'm
iVi'ization Their native language -
similar TO the lrOuuois. Though retarted
IN progress 10y their transfer. with other
Indians OF The five nations 10 desolate
country new end strange 10 them. beyond
the Mississippi. they have advanced more
rapidly than any other tribe Ia this coun-
try. Sequel. also called George Guess. n
fuIl-blooded cherokee. invented for his
people an alphabet. simple. bat complete.
In 1924 With y printed language, this
tribe has developed literature peculiarly
its own. Most OF the Cherokces have
received an Indian education. the wealth
Ter members of lre tribe sending their
children To the best Eastern schools.
Their graceful native orators have been
heard On the floors OF congress. aud
newspaprrs edited by full-booded Indians
are printed in English and Cherokee.
Geu. Grants secretary and officer OF
stan during the civil war Gen. ELY n
Parker. was a Seneca Indian Though not
~ pure blood. born in 1873. and educated
as a civil engineer. After the war he
was promoted. through various grades
io hriga adier-eeueral of the United states
army. he was commander Of Indian af-
fairs iSG1-r
a prcsent employe OF the United tates
indian ofice is Francis la F'lesche n
three-,parters blood Omaha. Reprcsen-
tatNc 'urus: oi Nahsas w. -aid 70 ot
one-puarter blood kaw. Mr.. =. y. ~
Hewitt. OF the bureau of ethnology. ls
about onc-eighth Tuscarors. while Or
Eastman. the agency physician 1T Pine
Ridge. - n. ~ three-uuartcrs blood
sioux. or Dakota. " - the policy ~ the
Indian Office 10 employ Indians on the
agencies and reservations a. far a. pcs-
siblc Many arc employed as teamsters.
President Diaz the present president %
Mexico. and one Of the leading figures In
the history ~ the republic. n commonly
supposed 20 be nearly a full-blooded In
ian.-Washington Times.