The Tupelo journal., 1904-01-22
/ WOMAN CHEF.
squaw Is Made Leader OF Band oi
kfckap0os Leaving Oklahoma
for Old Mexico.

-
The withdrawal of the Kickapoo In
dams from Oklahoma TO old Mexico has
aroused much interest in the southwest,
says the New York Telegram.
There are three interesting facts in
the hegira. The tribe is led in this pill
a forceful character enjoying the dis
tinction of being the only female Indian
cnief in history.
This is the second time the Kickapoos
have left the United States, determined
upon living in Mexico. They first emf
grated beyond the Rio Grande when they
were originally sent TO the Indian ter
ritory, refusing to accept the territorial
provision made for them by the United
States government. The present hegira
is decidedly a success. There are only
II Kickapoos left in Oklahoma to-day.
At the union passenger station in
South McAlester n day lately waiting
for a train were 43 adult Kickapoo In
dians and seven children, all bound for
Mexico. The party attracted no small
attention. They were all well clothed
and appeared to be in good financial cir
cumstances. The travelling bags and
satchels were new and every man car
ried d new Winchester incased in leath-
er. The party was in charge of M. ].
Bentley, former Indian agent to the
kickapoos, now a resident of Shawnee.
MIR. Bentley resigned from the Indian
service three years ago and at once took
up the scheme OF forming a colony of
Kickapoos in old Mexico. He obtained
a large grant from the Mexican govern
ment in the state of C~hoanucaka. 1t is
here that a large number Of K~ickapoos
have resided for years, never having re-
turned since the first emigration.
Speaking of the colonization scheme,
Mr.. Bentley said: THE Kickapoo can
not live longer in Oklahoma. The white
man is crowding him too much. He
wants freedom. The death rate among
the tribe is surprising. Twenty-eight
years ago the tribe consisted of 428 peo-
pie. To-day there are 1874. During the
civil war the Kickapoos fled to Mexico
and though the government sought to
return them to their reservation 176 es-
capped the soldiers and remained in
Montezuma land. These 176 have lived
according to their own tastes and to-
day their descendants number 442. This
increase in 2S years compared with the
decrease in the Oklahoma colony in the
same time is noteworthy.
The land upon which these Indians
| with rnc;la &c ~ n hoa,t;fy1r ,pl fo,t;Io
valley. through which a river runs. In
the mountains game abounds, and the
Indian with a rifle can supply his table
with meat the year around. This colony
| am working up will be a peculiar one.
There will be no stores or business in
stitutions within 80 miles of the Indian
town. The tribesmen will build their
huts in groups and till enough land to
supply their tables and animals with
grain. They will not tolerate the pres
ence of the white man, for it is their de-
sire to keep away from the white man
as far as possible that prompts their
move. Their lands in Oklahoma, six
milss west of Shawnee, are leased. The
rental aggregates 500 a year for an
average farm consisting of 80 acres.
This fund will support the Indians and
furnish all the luxuries they desire.
The government has for years been
making an annual appropriation of So
600 for the Kickapoos. This fund is dis
persed by an Indian agent for agricul-
tural implements, work and wearing ap-
parel. The Indians all refuse to accept
this appropriation and hence told the
Indian agent that they no longer desire
it's guardianship or its aid.
The Kickapoos are ruled by a wom-
an, who is the only woman chief known
in history. Wapahoko is already in
Mexico and her advice to the tribesmen
to follow her has been accepted by all
except IL. who are still Oh he.Oklahoma
reservation, but will soon join us in
Mexico"