Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-06-30
WHISKY DESTROYING INDIANS.
pselsIon Of the United States Court
Seals the Wlnnebaqoes' Doom.

Decision OF the United States Court
Seals the Wlnnebsgoes' Doom.
When the Snited States court in q
recent decision, declared that any In
dian who had received bis allotment OF
land could purchase all the whisky he
wanted, IL sounded the death knell OF
the Winnebago Indian tribe, in eastern
Nebraska. on the Missouri river AL
ready bes0tted and degraded by lax
morals, and cursed with an unquencha-
bic taste for intoxicants, the Winnie
bagoes and Omahas were fast going the
pace which led them further into de-
bauchery; but the decision of the court.
by which the saloons are practically
thrown open to them, will, IN the opin-
ion of those most familiar with the In
dians, accelerate their descent and will,
in few years. lead TO the extermina-
ton of the entire nation.
The Winnebagoes and the Omahas
were the early friends of the pioneers
OF the trans-Mlissouri country, and al
ways assisted their white allies in the
wars with the Sioux and Cheyennes.
For years they were the most powerful
tribes. with the exception Of the Sioux.
In the west, and they absorbed more
civilization than any of the other
tribes
But along with the good of civiliza-
ton, the Winnebagoes and Omahas also
acquired a taste for whisky. until any
member Of the tribe would sell his very
soul for a bottle OF forty rod" the
meaner the whisky the better the
Winnebagoes liked II. And this state
has descended. with increased strength,
90 the present day Indian.
Years ago. before the love Of whisky
became a tribal vice with the Indians.
the Winnebagoes and Omahas were the
most progressive tribes in the west.
When their lands were divided into
farms and allotted TO them, each man
receiving a deed TO his property, these
tribes Cor rather tribe. for the Winnie
bagoes and Omahas early consolidated
into one tribe( were well TO do and
were pointed 90 by the Indians Rights
Association as an example Of what
could be done with the red man by
kind treatment
But when the Indians began 70 re-
ceive money for their farm products.
che boot-lcggcrs" recognized their har.
vest was ripening and small saloons
sprung up all around the reserve. IL
was unlawful 20 sell an Indian whis-
ky, but the profits were large and the
temptation great The Indians got the
whisky aud the "bootIeggers'' became
wealthy.
Soon the profits of the whisky were
not enough for the "bootlegger" and
different schemes were resorted TO IN
o~der to increase his profits. Indians
were piled with whisky and while I'M
der it's influence, gotten 20 sign orders
on the Indian agent for cash due them:
they were induced 90 sign deeds 70
their lands; immense bills of machin-
cry, groceries. dry goods etc. at fabu-
lous prices. were sold the intoxicated
savage. until the tribe was almost des-
titute
Altogether. the Winnebagoes and On
aha had reached a stage OF degenera-
tion rarely found In any people. And
then came the order OF the United
States supreme court that any Indian
who has received his allotment OF land
can purchase all the whisky he wants,
II he can pay for 1t. Practical students
of the Indian agree with Supt Wilson
when he says: 1t means the utter an
initiation OF the tribe"
The Sisseton band Of the Sioux Is
another tribe Of Indians fast approach
ing poverty and determination from the
same cause. and the courts order will
also hasten the time when this once
powerful and wealthy people will be no
more.
Ten years ago the Sissetons had near
ly $2.00O.OO0 on deposit with the gov
eminent. in addition 10 their farms,
cattle. stock. implements. etc. Every
Indian, buck, squaw and pappoose, had
about 81 900 in cash, beside land and
other property. To-day this tribe is
sunk In the mire. The men are drunk
ards and gamblers. worthless and lazy:
the women are no better Their money
is almost gone, and from a thrifty. en-
ergetic people they have drifted back TO
responsibility and almost savagry.
And all because OF their taste for whis-
NY and the ''bootlegger"