Evening star., 1909-06-27

head men repeatedly shook my hand saving
Him heap good! Him tongue no crookedr
while the NokoniS, with all of whom was we'll
acquainted, welcomed me as a brother.
At daylight the camp astir. and we were
on our way toward the agency from which
were less than a days ride 1t was with no
small amount of pride that | rode into the
agency at the head of the procession and re-
ceived the congratulations of General Hazen
and many more OF my friends, not emitting to
mention the heavy buckskin purse from the
Government.
These Indians remained true to their prom
ises and gave no trouble except perhaps the
occasional theft of horse or two; but that is
Indian nature, and is to be expected.
Under Quaker Influence
WAS still with the Indian Bureau at the
time of its transfer from the military depart
ment to the civil and the appointment of
Quaker agents. In the transfer | went along
with the braves as interpreter
The Quakers, in their efforts to civilize and
Christianize the Indians attempted first to in
struct them how to become self supporting by
tiling the soil. They started model farm for
that purpose planted fruit trees, made gardens.
built houses, fenced in the land. and also planted
corn and sowed grain In short time every
thing about the agency was in the most flour
ishing condition Rations were issued once
week, and Ration Day was the gala day 1t twas
often made lively by horse racing and other
sports; for even Quaker influence could not
overcome the Indians love of gambling.
peclally when military post was close at hand
with all its temptations tor poor, weak Indian
nature.
The head men of the different tribes were re-
quIred to report on Ration Day at the agency,
where they would be questioned as to whether
they were obeying the regulations. and asked
to explain why continually getting
word from Texas that horses were being stolen.
and every now and then report of fight with
the Indians. Each chief would express great
surprise at such reports; for they were good
Indians" and were all trying to follow the white
mans path to prosperity, by raising corn.
So the honest Quakers came to the conclu-
sion that it must be bad Indians not belong
ing to their agency who were committing all
those depredations and the chief would be dis
missed with present of suit of clothes per-
haps which he would trade to the first white
man who would give him anything in exchange.
An Important Ration Day
ON one Ration Day prominent chief named
Asahaba failed to show up. and was re-
ported sick. Two strange squaws applied for
his amount of rations, and on inquiry they
were found to be some new wives he had taken.
This continued for several weeks. until one day
the old fellow appeared once more; but his
movements were slow and feeble, and he never
cracked smile while receiving congratula tions
upon his recovery, but kept his blanket wrapped
closely round him and drawn across his face in
such manner that only his eyes and nose could
ness, noticed that he still took great interest in
horse racing and had some fine new horses with
him
When Captain of the 10th regiment (col-
ored) offered to bet with him and run him
race, he took the bet and put up gold coin to
back his horse.
When the horses came on the track the one
belonging to Asahaba was ridden by an Indian
boy with big buffalo robe strapped about his
waist. The dapper little jockey beside him
made a very marked contrast, at which every
one smiled. As the horses came up to the line
together, and it was go, the little Indian boy
reached forward and. catching his horse by the
name, let his feet fly backward, leaving the
buffalo robe behind him. and started on the race
in a fine, close fitting suit of copper colored
tights.
He won the race easily, all the time looking
back and smiling at the sleek little jockey be-
hind him. The bystanders laughed and cheered
the Indian boy; but the old chief never relaxed
his face. He only took his money and with
satisfied grunt left for camp.
Shortly after the race found out the cause
of his illness and how he came by the new horse.
He had taken with him some of his young men,
slipped over into Texas, stolen a lot of horses.
and consequently got into fight in which he
was severely wounded and left for dead After
a number of days, however he returned to
camp, creating great excitement
His five squaws had cut off their hair and
otherwise mutiated themselves in mourning
for him. At this display of grief he fired the
pt oil,