The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-10

the second time the Kickapoos have left the
United States, determined upon living in
Mexico They first emigrated beyond
Rio Grande when they were originally sent
TO the Indian Territory, refusing 10 accept
the territorial provision made for them by
the United States government
The third interesting fact is that the
present hegira is decidedly a success so far
as it pertains to the interest the tribe is
taking in it. There are but twelve kicka-
pOos left in Oklahoma to-day. All the
others have started for Mexico in the last
week.
AT the union passenger station in South
McAlester last Saturday, waiting for a
train, were forty-tbree adult Kickapoo In
dams and seven children, all bound for
Mexico. The party attracted no small at
tention They were all well clothed and
appeared to be in good financial circum-
stances. The travelling bags and satchels
were new and every man carried a new
Wincester incased in leather. The party
was in charge of j. Bentley, ex-In-
dian agent to the KickapooS, now a resi-
dent of Shawnee Mr.. Bentley resigned
from the Indian service three years ago
and at once took up the scheme OF form
ing a colony OF Kickapoos in old Mexico.
He secured a large grant from the Next
can government liz the State of Choanu-
caka. 1t is here that a large number OF
Kickapoos have resided for years, never
having returned since the first emigration
Speaking of the colonization scheme, Mr..
Bentley said: The Kickapoo cannot live
is crowding him too much. He wants free
dom. The death rate among the tribe is
surprising. Twenty-eight years ago the
tribe consisted of ABS people. To-day there
are but 1S4. During the civil war the Kick
apoos fled to Mexico, and, although the
government sought to return them to their
reservation 176 escaped the soldiers and re-
manned in Montezuma land. These lie
have lived according to their own tastes
and to-day their descendants number 442.
This increase In twenty-eight years, COM
pared with the decrease in the Oklahoma
colony in the same length Of time is note
worthy.
1.-The land upon which these Indians will
reside is in beautiful and fertile valley,
through which a river runs. In the noun
tains game abOunds, and the Indian, with
a Winchester, can supply his table with
meat the year around. This colony 1
working up will be peculiar one There
will be stores nor business institutions
within thirty 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 toll
crate the presence of the white man, for it
is their desire 10 keep away from the white
man as far as possible that prompts their
move. Their lands in oklahoma, six miles
east of Shawnee. are leased out. The
rental aggregates 500 per year for an aver
age farm consisting of eighty acres. This
fund will support the Indians and furnish
all the luxuries he desires.
THE government has for years been MAX
ing an annual appropriation of IS 600 for the
KickapOos. This fund is dispersed by an
Indian agent for agricultural implements
stock and wearing apparel. The Indians
will refuse to accept this appropriation, and
have told the Indian agent TO inform the
federal government that they longer de-
sire his guardianship or his aid.
The kickapOOs are ruled by a woman
chief. the only woman chief known in his
tory Her name is Wapahoko She is forty
years old. The title was inherited Wanna
hOko is already in Mexico, and her advice to
the tribesmen TO follow her has been accept
ed by all except twelve, who are still on the
Oklahoma reservation but will soon join us
in Mexico: The exodus of the KickapoOs
| has been fought strenuOusly by the Indian
| agent. He has had me arrested. a number Of
| times. Only yesterday | was arrested at
| Shawnee for assisting the Indians TO de-
| fraud the United States government This
unusual charge was based on the claim
! that the Indians accompanying me to Mex
leo were removing property given them by
/ the United States.
What is the marriage ceremony among
| the KickapoOs?' was asked.
These Indians have a very peculiar mar
| riage CUSTOM, replied Mr.. Bently They
| simply elect their wives and if the selec-
| tion Is mutual they reside together as man
and wife. There is no scandal among these
| people. Husbands and wives are true 10
| each other. and the quiet understanding is
considered as sacred as our marriage vows.
| There are few acts that can be termed
| criminal among this small band OF Indians.
| Murder Is seldom heard of and death is the
| other is foreign 60 them. All their pos
| sessions could be piled together I'm a street
and would think of taking the other 5
/ property.
Their religion Is the same as that which
/ Columbus found among the Indianas when
| he first landed in America They believe
that there are two spirits-the great good
| spirit and bad spirit. After death the wicked
| are supposed TO fall victims 10 the bad
| spirit. The religious worship is carried on
| every day. IL consists Of dancing and sing
| ing and beating the tOm-tom. The Indians
| are very sensitive regarding their belief and
/ seldom take a stranger into their con-
ference to explain their idea OF the Holy
| Spirit"