The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1911-02-15

we are descendants of Cinnamon, but
1t Is not so; our fore parents were
planted all over this America. We
are not descendants of foreigners
Who can say where our parents came
from? They were always here. They
lived by hunting and fishing and were
a healthy class of people; they owned
all the waters and all tho mountains
everywhere. They were free people
They had plenty fish and plenty deer:
plenty fowls to live on. God had
planted for them here everything
needed for life, many berries, many
roots to make their feed from. But
when white man discovered them he
look at them. They lived on dry SAL
mon; and white man don't like them.
he lived on dirty salmon. Then the
white man made up his schemes to
learn him to live right. that is by
farming, no more allow him hunting
and fishing. SO our parents ceased
from hunting and fishing and he has
taken up his lands and try to follow
white mans way of living.
Red Man Docs His Best
Then thousands of Indians, but
white mans food, tire-watcr and way
of life has left few of my people. The
poor red man is trying his best to run
his living like his white brother. but
he has been always deprived of his
rights in every way. How can they 20
forward in civilization when they are
Indians. without any rights: there is
no water for them; white brother
wants it all because he knows more
p 4, 10,
his men in national capital who are
making laws to protect him. Indian
brother, he has none of his men in
there to make laws to protect his
people and their rights. For instance,
Mr.. Indian wants to do his own rights
on his own lands, but he is held by the
government tight so he is left without
rights to deal with. The United
states passed law for Indians to sell
his inherited lands, he is every time
cheated like the dickens; why, because
he does not know the valuation of his
property, but when this land is bought
by white man, then 1t becomes valu-
able, such as $500 per acre. or one
eighty-acre, ten thousand dollars, and
this was sold by the nation for the
Indian for two thousand dollars.
Such is the deal where | see myself,
Louis Mann, Indian. has no rights to
deal in his own business This is
queer. l have tried to learn all | can
to be a man in my living.
Grievance is Named.
Another object where Indians is
deeply wronged is in the railroad right
of way through his allotments. l am
puzzled why such work is carried out
by the railroad firm He do not want
to deal with Indians himself. as he has
a fairer show to make his roads. 81
will develop the Indian country in
valuation and in business for the In
dian" but why railroad men want to
deal blind business with the In
dams" This will not work If a blind
business Is carried with the Indians
then ii means sure trouble: something
will II short. Red brother loves his
allotted lands 1t is his property when
1t is allotted to him and no law has "A
right to take 1t away without his con-
sent. The government wants the In
dian, bye and bye. to be citizens; and
why does not Uncle Sam do right with
his Indians and not try to beat them
''s Va s'''ii '"iiuc, anu why optS iC
stand by his men who cheat the In
dams and help tho railroad men to
get right of way cheap as they damn
please. This Is robbing the Indians
1t is all full Of corrupt and shame;
but the white man has not shame
when he do the work for money. He
want money the worst kind. | wish
this matter of blind dealing would
hereafter cease. Let all business
como face to face in peace in peace
and not take my race horses and cat
tie This should be understood clear
ly by the railroad firms; we do not
want trouble. Railroad men want
their roads through the Indian reser-
walton, and of course it means a bet
terment of the country for the In
dams, and for all Indian lands.
Wants Honest Cooperation.
Just as well let my writing be un-
derstood. l write this for the good Of
the Indians and for the white man, to
let no contract be made in blind way
We want to live right. I wish our
white brother would lend right hand
to lead his red brother to civilization,
to show him what is right and what is
beat him out because he is ignorant.
We can not hunt and fish; white man
has got it all. He cans every fish he
gets hold Of We want our land, we
want our water, We need money just
as well as a white brother does. The
poor Indian wants his living right, so
this. my writing be known by all con
ccrned who reads it. ! want my corn,
my potatoes, my wheat, oats and hay
for my living. Mika-kumtux? ! drink
water just same as white brother, and
| want my property only. My children
need food, need clothes, same as
white child. White man so hungry
for land and money he never think
when he beat poor Indian that Indian
woman and poor little child go hun
cry and cold. You got nearly all we
have. IT Is not right to rob poor In
dian of his last little home. This is
all | am your truly,
LOUIS CHARLES MANN.