The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-30
INDIAN SQUAw MEN.



Squaw men is the name given by Indians
to those men. not of their tribe, who. by
purchase of squaws (marriage), have been
adopted by tolerated in it. They are Of
Two classes: First, men of some means and
frequently of ability, who come among the
Indians traders and a means of gain
ing confidence and obtaining trade of the
Indians take a wife from each tribe, some
times from almost each band. These men
frequently become very wealthy and gain
great influence among the Indians. and their
red wives (being only property, are no i'm
cediment to their having wives and families
in the States. AS they grow old, they some
times return to the States. and not infre-
quently are respected and influential men,
bers of society. Others pass the winter of
their days I'm their Western homes sur
rounded. in patriarchal style, by crowd of
admiring offspring and dependents.
Living with nearly every Indian tribe are
a number of outcasts, American, French
and Mexican, the lowest refuse which was
cast out by the society in which they were
born. who find congenial refuge among these
savages. This life is not always a matter of
choice, but is very often forced upon them
by a too eager inquiry after their persons
by the myrmidons of the law. Frequently
they are accompanied on their arrival
among the Indians by a number of horses
of various brands, sufficient not only to
make friends OF some of the principal men,
but TO buy one or more squaws and a tepee,
ard enable them to set up housekeeping.
These meE become part of the tribe thus
adopting toleratng them, and when near
the agencies, send their squaws to draw
rations for themselves and their children.
Having more natural shrewdness than the
Indian. and knowledge Of the mode Of life
and thought of the white man, they soon
gain a certain ascendency over their red
brethren. Being able to go among the white
settlements without suspicion, they are ac-
eused OF acting spies for the Indians, of
informing them where a valuable lot of
horses or mules Is to be had for the taking,
and even of wreaking personal vengeance
by melting the Indians to some act Of
atrocIty There is scarcely crime of which
they are not accused, and I doubt if there
be crime of which some of them are not
capable
These are the men who trade secretly
among the Indians. They furnish the arms
supply the whisky and are ready tools for
corrupt agents. making affidavits to cover
any loss. and swearing TO any story that
in made up for them. At his own best games
the squaw man Is so far superior TO the In
dian as to gain unqualified admiration; and
he becomes a power among them by the dis
play of qualities similar. but superior to
those held in highest estimation by them.
II Is from these men the Indians get their
ideas of the character. capacity. morality
and religion Of white men.
The Mexicans have a proverb that a
woman is the best dictionary. The squaw
men prove its correctness by soon becoming
adopts in the language of the Indians All
the intercourse between the government and
the India. is filtered through these men and
partakes OF their character. being full Of
dupiicity treachery and evasion. In all the
length and breadth of the plains there is not
m interpreter that can be relied on; and no
treaty or delicate mission should ever be
undertaken without several interpreters.
who. moreover. should be required to give
each CT his interpretations out Of hearing OF
the others. There are I'm the United States
about or hundred Indian reservations and
agencies. at each OF which there Is an aver
age OF about ten of these squaw men. The
effect on the Indian Of thousand of such
"missionaries as these miserable Outcasts
may be Imagined. A thousand ruffians with
their half-breed children fed and fos-
tered by the government. They are an In
Jury TO the country, detriment TO the In
eial and should DC abolished.
ANDREW s. BURT.