davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-08-15

men, as police or sentinels do, and
warned persons from crossing over
the line If any one attempted to go
into the council house, as few men
did, and passed the guards, the In
dams closed up ranks and elbowed
him out and he found it impossible to
go through the living wall. My father
had enjoined upon the Indians not to
use force under any circumstances
but to resort to peaceful measures.
The Indians conducted themselves
quietly and with the utmost honor.
The better element of the white men
controlled, and there was no difficulty.
My father had relied on the sense OF
justice, and the inherent respect for
law of his countrymen and on his in
f1uence with the Indians, and he was
not disappointed in the result,
After this payment. however, a de-
tachment of United States troops was
always present.
Death of General Street.
My father was taken sick in the ear
ly fall of 1889 and the doctors
were not very successful in treat
ing him My uncle, DR.. Alexan-
der Posey, was sent for and
came from Shawneetown, III. In
the spring of 1870 his health i'm
proved, and he met the Indians in
council and held a friendly talk with
them They were anxious about him
and much concerned for his recovery
But few days after, he had a para
lytic stroke followed by instant death
1t was the intention Of the family to
bury his remains at Prairie du Chen
where one of my brothers was then
buried The two principal chiefs
Keokuk and Wapello (the third chief
Appanoose, was at Red Cedar and
could not come) came to the house
with the interpreter and asked to see
their father.
In the room where the corpse was
they showed great sorrow Wapellt
buried his face in his hands and sa
motionless for some time. Keokul
then spoke and said that they hac
heard that their father was to be ia
ken to Prairie du Chen for burial
that they had held a council and hat
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-08-15
AGENCY IN INDIAN DAYS
Son of Famous Indian Agent, Gen.
Writes of Early Experiences.

the Indians it seems an ideal one.
There is a charm in the free life OF the
wilderness that is stronger than the
influence of civilization. From my
earlies recollections had known In
dians, lived among them, found them
my friends, had played and ran races
with their boys, rode behind their
braves on their ponies, ate with them
in their wickeups, and mingled freely
and fearlessly with them, and i would
gladly have gone with them to their
new home. i had the Indians point
of view, and as the white man came
and plowed up the beautiful prairies
and the Indian trails, cut down the
forests and built unsightly log cabins,
thought it a dissertation of the land.
The Indians sold their lands in 1912
and gave possession May 1, 1S43, as
far as the line crossing the Des
Moines river ct Whitebreast Some OF
you may remember tracing the lines
of you claims at midnight before the
first of May. The next day there
was almost continuous line Of teams
on every road leading into the New
Purchase" Never before had a coun'
try been settled so rapidly.
Isolation, Economy, Hardship.
The story of the pioneer days is one
of isolation, of hard toll, of privation
of close economy, of hardship and OF
suffering, but the burden was borne
by stout, brave, hopeful hearts, and
they laid the foundation Of state that
ranks among the first of the nation
These pioneers lived in log cabins
unhewn, and put together without q
scrap of iron If they had floors Other
than the earth, they were of puncheor
hewn with the broad ak, and some
times for window lights, deer hides
scraped thin But content and happi
ness reigned within, the latch string
was always out, and the welcome
hearty. Hats, caps clothes, were
home made, from flax grown in theil
fields or from wool, carded and spur
or woven, from their own sheep, ant
shoes made by the village shoemaker
from leather tanned in the village tan
merry. Store clothes, if we had them
were for Sundays and holidays. Ant
so of the means of living-bread, meat
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-08-15

-

decided to ask that he be buried in
their country, that he had been the
best friend they ever had and that
they would give his widow a section
of land wherever she should select,
on which he was to be buried, and
they would also give to each of his
children half section.
Wapello died year after and just.
before his death sent word to Keo-
kuk that he wished ito be buried by
the side of my father. We were
friends" he said, and I wish to lie
by his side.'
Reservation For Mrs. Street.
| When the Indians sold their lands,
! they told the commissioner that they
should make a reservation for the
widow and children of their former
agent. The commissioner said he was
instructed to permit no reservations,
and that there had never been res
ervation to a white man. My brother
| William was informed that the treaty
was about to fail as the Indians would
not sell unless the reservation was
made He said that his mother and
the family did not wish to stand in
|
had done nothing to induce the In
dams to make the reservation. He
SO stated to the Indians in council
The Indians were deeply offended.
Poweshiek, the Fox chief, would not
speak to him for months. After a
council among themselves, Keokuk
said, I'VE do not mean to force our
gifts upon the young man or his
brothers, but we have made prom
Use to the dead, and it is sacred, that
we will never sell the land where our
father is buried without the reserva-
ton to his widow is made, we will not
sell our lands. The commissioner
John Chambers, told them that the
buildings on the land belonged to the
government Keokuk said, "Put a
: price on them and we will pay for
it." This was done, and the reser
: walton in favor of our mother was
, made.
Ideal Indian Life.
: In looking back upon my life among
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-08-15

ment with the hogs and stock dimin-
ished them rapidly
Our only neighbors except the en-
ployes of the agency, were the family
and employees of William Phelps, who
had charge of the trading post of the
American Fur Co., three miles distant
on the Des Moines.
The nearest settlement was the
aRed village" afterwards known as
Iowayille. and our nearest postoffice
was Charlton in Missouri Soon after
our arrival, l think the next year, a
postoffice was established at Fairfield.
Payment Of Annuities.
In the fall of 1889 payment of an
nuities was made by my father to the
Indians. 1t was the first ever made at
the agency, and the first payment that
I distinctly remember to have seen.
The white settlers from the frontier
were present in large numbers and
some of them disposed to make
trouble. But there We're good men
also who came from curiosity, or to
sell horse, or apples, or something
that would catch the eye of the red
man.
Among the laWleSS classes were the
men that sold liquor to the Indians,
and under the names of merchandise
of various kinds they sought to col
lect accounts at the payment. The
rule as I remember was to leave il
to the Indians who had contracted the
debt But my father admonished the
Indians not to pay liquor bills; the
sale of liquor to Indians being con
trary to the law Of the United States
My father, the Interpreter and three
persons needed to assist in counting
the money, which was all in silver
$4,000, were in the council house
near the door, the Indians were out
side, seated in semicircle. FRS
were the chiefs and head men. thel
the braves and young men of les
rank, then the common Indians stand
Ing.
Ny father had a police force of In
dians, chosen by the chiefs, brave
resolute and experienced men. Thes
walked up and down in clear spac
betwean the Indians and the whit
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-08-15
enough to buy half Of it and there
their only daughter, Mrs. Streblow

enough to buy half of it and there
their only daughter, Mrs. Streblow
now lives
The excitement Of the claim taking
period, with the disputes and claim
jumping soon passed and with no ser
ious trouble, the people themselves
made the laws and enforced them.
The homesteading period coincident
with the driving out of the Mormons
from Nauvoo was also during the reign
of home law and the courts were pre-
sided over by Judge Lynch. This also
was brief. We were always law
abiding people. The stealing passed
away soon after those long trains Of
wagons with few goods and many
women and children that we saw pass
through Agency westward bound.
Public Land Sales Crisis.
There were no titles other than that
of the squatter until the public land
sales. This was crisis that tried
mems souls. The squatter. who had
reclaimed the wilderness by his tolls
and privations enhanced the value of
the land and having in many cases
everything he owned at stake, was to
be confronted at the land office by the
man of capital and the highest bid
would take the land with it's improve
m ents. To lose their farms would be
to some ruin, to all grievous loss The
pioneers met this crisis with the quiet
determination of brave men, who knew
their rights and dared maintain them
Their appeal was to the higher law"
Their title was possession. The gov
eminent had thrown their lands open
for settlement and yet gave them no
way to acquire title, and now left them
to the mercy of the land shark. The
people went to the poles, each town
ship represented by it's bidder. The
men who were to bid against them
looked into the faces of these pioneers
and saw death there and thought three
per cent month better than to take
such chances. The occupied lands
were bid off to the occupants and
owners at $1.25 an acre.
| I knew of but one case of shooting
and that was later at Ottumwa and
was the result of a personal quarrel.
Future is Assured.
But time would fail me to continue
these rem entrances. l regret that
cannot be present at the reunion Of the
old settlers. I would like to meet you
| and take each by the hand.
| In conclusion, the future of Wapellc
county is assured Ottumwa will be
your city always. But there is future
also for Agency, though not the one
we once dreamed Of. Beautiful subur
ban residences, a public library, 6
good school, churches, stores adequate
to supply the large population OF al
adjunct to Ottumwa.
With kindest membranes to al
nv old friends and their children.
l am very sincerely yours.
A. w. Street.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-08-15
kEoSAUaUA.

Keosauqua, Aug. 12.-Attorney W.
M. Walker was in Chicago several
days this week on business.
Thomas Williamson of Wichita, Kas..
recently visited in Keosauqua with old
friends.
Rev. H. A. Ingham, wife and friends
to the number of about dozen, are
out camping and fishing near Pitts.
burg.
Thomas Fich and family have re-
turned to their home after weeks
visit with relatives at Bonaparte.
The case of G. w. Jack VS.. N. John.
ston, which has been on trial before
Referee J. P. Starr, has been con.
cluded, but as yet the referee has not
announced his decision.
F. M. Hunter of the law firm OF
Mitchell & Hunter of Ottumwa, has
opened an office in the Judge Sloan
Office building near the court house,
and the firm expects to maintain an Of
flee in Ottumwa and this place. Judge
Mitchell will remain in Ottumwa and
Mr. Hunter will have charge Of the Of
fee here.
Elder Post and family are out Of
town for a three weeks visit and dur.
ing his absence the pulpit at the Chris
tian church will be filled by minister
| from Des Moines
Miss Frances Day, who has been
working in this place for several weeks
with her parents, Mr.. and Mrs l. B.
Day, returned to Grand Rapids. Mich.
where she is employed as trained
nurse.
Judge Sloan and wife returned to
their home the first of the week from
an extended visit to Colorado.
| T. J. McManus of this place has de
parted for three weeks visit in Colo
RADIO
County Recorder F. NJ Lee returned
to his home in this place last evening
from business trip to Fairfield.
! J. S. Keenly of Fairfield is enjoying
a few days outing in the vicinity of
this place.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-08-15

The following interesting letter re-
garding the early history of Wapello
county, was written by A, w. Street,
OF Ormond, Florida, son of the late
General Joseph M. Street, who had
charge of the Indian agency in Wa
pello county, to ]. T. McMinn, of
Agency, and read at the recent meet
ing. of the Wapello County Old Set
tiers association:
Ormond, Florida, Aug. 2.
My Dear Mr.. McMinn:-In reply to
your request to write a short "remem-
brance" of early times in Wapello
county, I jot down in a desultory way
such things, as on the spur of the
moment, occur to me-
I first saw the "Old Agency" in the
spring of 1889. My father, General
Joseph M. Street, had been transfer
red from the agency of the Winneba-
goes at Prairie du Chen to that Of
the Sacs and Foxes in Iowa. Early in
the spring of that year he removed
his family to the new agency on the
Des Moines. I was then seven years
old, but l have clear and distinct
recollection OF that period of my life.
We came, by steamboat to Church
vile at the mouth Of the Des Moines
and from there by teams to Agency.
The agency building was about com
pleted and near it was the blacksmith
and gunsmith shops, and the council
house, good sized hewed log build
ing. Josiah Smart and Charles H.
Wilmington lived near.
A Beautiful Country.
This then composed the settlement
My father had large field and good
sized garden, broken up and fenced
and Smart had field also. The coun.
try then seemed to me the most beau
tiful l had ever seen, small prairies
interspersed with groves Of small tim
Der, hazel bushes, crab apple and
plum trees.
The country had an abundant sup
ply of wild fruits, strawberries, black
berries, dew berries, gooseberries
plums, grapes and crabapples, also
hazel nuts, hickory nuts and walnuts
There were many snakes, among
them rattlesnakes, more than I have
ever found in Florida, but our settle
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-08-15
CROSS IN

everything almost except sugar and
coffee, tools and medicines and dyes
were home grown
Agency Becomes Town.
With the settlement of the country
came the laying out of town sites
and Agency City was laid off and Keo-
kuks race track became the main
street of the town S. Dwyer built
the first store; the winter before he
had sold goods in the council house
at the old agency. DR.. John C.
Campbell was the first doctor; James
Stevens the first blacksmith; Aaron
Farnsworth the first miller; Mr.. Weir
the first tanner. Mr.. Sperry, young
man from Vermont, taught the first
school in the council house at the old
agency. Emily Dennison and the two
daughters of Charles Smith went to
that school, The first school in Az
ency was taught by Major Rudd
The first lawyers were Henry 3. Hen.
dershott and Charles May. Their Of
flee was the gunsmith shop of the
old agency. Hendershott removed tc
Ottumwa and May, l think, went tc
the Mexican war finally
B. A. Spaulding was the first
preacher and he also located at OF
tumwa. Nearly all the persons living
at the old agency foll,wed the Indians
to the new agency at Raccoon Forks
now Des Moines. But one, known
probably to you all, either personally
1 or by report, remained. saw Thomas
Bradley first in the spring of 1889 H
was employed at that time by my
father and later by Joseph Smart, thu
| interpreter AS | remember him, HI
could do more work in one cay than
any other man at the agency in two
days He was blunt plain o
speech, honest, steady, thrifty
and an untiring worker an!
faithful as the day He lived will
Joseph Smart until Smart left fcc De
/ Moines With Mr. Cogswel,. VIII,
rented Smarts house, came 4 br:ghi
buxom English girl, Olivia by name
and in short time she and Tom Brad
ley We're married. When the "Patten
farm" as the Indian farm was called
was sold, Tom Bradley had saving
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-08-15
sH%hsSfs.+a..a..h.3..i. Sss'0
i. WEST END ITEMS. J.


From Saturdays Daily.
D. w. Jones, of airview, is LONE
from Mystic.
James Nivin, Of Keb, is moving his
house to Fairview.
Sarah Jenkins has move: from
Gravestown to Hilton.
Miss Bertha Miller. West Second
street, went to M-5catine today.
Miss Mamie Hayes,215 West Fourth
street, is spending the week in Hayes
VILE.
Miss Aca Lord, who lives on Fair
view avenue, Fairview, went to Mus
c.tine today
Dr.. S. A. Spilman and party of
friends enjoyed an outing at Rock
Bluff last night.
The West End Presbyterian Sun
day school is arranging for its annual
picnic next Tuesday.
DR.. Bert LaForce and a party of
friends enjoyed an outing at Rock
Bluff Wednesday night.
| Harry ATTl-O-., COlLOl OIu dlu
West Second street, expects to leave
for Kansas City tonight.
Mrs. Laura M. Cummings and chill
dren. 223 Clarence street went to Ru
bio last night to visit relatives.
Word has been received of the death
of DR.. Wheeler. of Leon. He was the
| father of Mrs. j. H. Bigham, who lives
at the corner of Summit and McPher
son streets.
A very pleasant surprise party was
given last night at the home of Mr.
and Mrs. John L. Ekwall 1049 Yves
i Second street, in honor of the twenty
fourth birthday anniversary Of Joh1
Ekwall. He was presented with fnt
Morris chair in honor Of the occasion
The evening passed pleasantly will
music and games. Refreshments
were served. Inc following guest
were rpesent. Messrs. and Mesdame
William Foulkes Sr., William Foulke
Jr, Edward l'oulkes. John Foulkes
D. w. Jones. E. j. Ekwall Oscar Eng
s.rom, F. Hawke, Frank Sprague, {
M. Sprague, Bert Swenson, Gus Swer
son, Edward Ramer, Henry Miller
Jacob Nelson, M. H. Tullis, ]. E. Tu
lis, H. Torgeson, j. Leason, Williams
Henry Keen, Robt. Tierney, Mrs. RI
mey, Misses Margaret Foulkes. Alt
; Miller, Agnes Kramer, Edith Rame1
nina Ramey, Laura Ramey, Hele
Z Doren, Bertha Sprague, Mary Ludwis
Anna Ludwig; Messrs. Howar
Foulkes. Anton Ekwall, L. l.. Ludwit
Oscar Nelson, Art Feikert, Georg
? Dawson, Roy Funk, Guy Maple.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-08-15
Was in Poor Health for Years.

Ira w. Kelley of Mansfield, Pa,
writes: 81 was in poor health for two
years, suffering from kidney and
bladder trouble, and spent consider
able money consulting physicians
without obtaining any marked benefit,
but was cured by Foley's Kidney
Cure, and l desire to add my testi.
mony that it may be the cause of re-
storing the health of others" Refuse
substitutes. For sale by w. D. Elliott,
Druggist.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-08-15

In looking back upon my life among
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-08-15
Give Honor to Whom il is Due.

DR.. David Kennedy's Favorite Rem.
edy. Of Rondout. N Y, cured me OF
Bright's disease and Gravel: Four OF
the best physicians had failed to re-
lieve me. have recommended 1t to
scores of people with like success, ano
know It viii cure all who try it.-Mrs
~ P. Miner, Burg Hill, o. Price
500. all druggists; 6 bottles, $500.
Der Deutsche correspondent. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1848-1918, 1905-10-27

@cbnrtatuNaflldcn bin, 6por il oli
mod)c;; ionit ciicn i'm mir sic GnQcl
nod alli."
Der Deutsche correspondent. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1848-1918, 1905-10-27
Set GtiQun.d.

SIT oenn Der profeTpr @riiGcls
mann nirtlif 10 SeritreutP"
Limb nie! @ls er tiir3lih eingelu.
ben mar, bat i'm bic @aitgeberin, 'id
in ibr QutograpbcnuIbum ein5uihrsis
ben - uno pa bat er in isincr Ser
itrsutbeit cine 8eihperbs ii6er oaS
i6lchte GTen eingctrugsn!"
Der Deutsche correspondent. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1848-1918, 1905-10-27

lie an oic Stcac fontmt: Sic GlN.
lcin bolten @adlt," untcrbrid)t JIG
lid: oMinnloben. itell' bod llid)t oen
Der Deutsche correspondent. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1848-1918, 1905-10-27
GinfaMc WitteL.

Dame (3u elmer Jrcunoin): Sage
mir nur, lpic ~IteuerIt OH oenu cigcats
lib Dem Gurus Der 0icnitbotcn? SD
icbr, Define 0icnitbotsn iinb ale 70 be-
i6ciocn."
5rcunoin: %. ods made i'd Itbr
einfoh! -. gei mir trjegcn tie pus
San5e Sabr ieInen GoGn."
Der Deutsche correspondent. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1848-1918, 1905-10-27

pcricbtc2" AIGNcr: olticmonO oll
Bcr ocn GnNcln I'M Sinncl, Gle id
babel iingcn bortc.."
Der Deutsche correspondent. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1848-1918, 1905-10-27
Cine feline 6orte.

Cine feline Sorts.
.Wie mar es uur moglih. bic Sou,
nsr 10 raid gu CrQreifen, Die beute
WorQen in ben &elcr oes WeinbGno,
Iers cin6rofen uno iih an ben 8ora
rdtber 9iitli6 thattn!"
80 bic bate man Iofprt an ben
8cIi6tcrn ertamlt."
The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1905-05-10
Hotel for q COnrt House.

The commissioners of Bentsc county
have leased the Riverside hotel at
Prosser for court house purposes: The
petitions for organization of the coun-
ty are ali ready to be presented to the
governor and superior court OH June
o, ninety days after the date of the ad-
journment Of the legislature. The
lease on the hotel building is for one
year, with the privilege of two. The
rooms upstairs will be rented to the
county officials as living rooms, there
being no houses to rent In the city. A
temporary Jail will be constructed.
Steel cells which can later be placed in
a permanent structure, will be put in.
The officers were nominated at .
convention held several weeks ago and
confirmed by the county commission
ers. who have the power to appoint
them.-Republic.
The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1905-05-10
Base Ball League.

The admirers of the national
game in the valley have been agi-
tating the formation of league for
the past two months and the latest
is a three team league with Pasco,
Prosser and North Yakima teams.
These three teams are the strongest
in the valley and pretty evenly
balanced. The Pasco boys have
agreed that if we will get up a
field here that will fill the bill they
will play all their home games on
this side of the river, as it is i'm
possible to get a suitable diamond
over there. We believe there are
enough lovers of the game here to
make it possible to accept this Of
fer.
The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1905-05-10
The National Game Sunday.

The kids of Kennewick last
week received challenge from the
Pasco kids for a game of base ball
on last Sunday. The lads skir-
mished around and secured enough
players to make up team and hied
across the river in an
swer to the challenge, -bnt when
they got TO the grounds they found
that they had made the standard
too high and that their challengers
were mistaken in the size of the
team they had challenged and were
rather undersized. However the
teams lined up and went at it, with
the result that at the end of the
second inning when the score
board showed Kennewick IL 10
Pasco ? the game was abandoned.
About this time Pasco's crack team
appeared on the scene in uniform
The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1905-05-10

In the Seattle Tacoma and Spo-
kane markets as high as S12. Sc
per crate has been received. The
Kennewick Fruit Growers Asso-
citation has shipped about fifty
crates for which they have received
not lower than IS. 50 per crate,
which price will hold till the Hood
River crop comes in about the 25tf1
of this month.
The officials Of the Kennewick
Fruit Growers Association have
handled the market very carefully
and have arranged so that the
berries will be so distributed that
ITO one market will be overloaded
and prices consequently injured.
AS an evidence of their wise
stewardship we have the difference
in prices for this year and last.
Last year the highest price paid
was IS and this price was only
good for a short time when il
dropped to $3.5o The associat-
ion has made the same arrange
ments for the handling of all kinds
of later fruit and produce.
A trip through the valley shows
that while the apricot and peach
crops were considerably injured by
the disagreeable weather this
spring we will still have splendid
crops.