Belonging to the Caddoan linguistic family, the Pawnee never made war on the United States from the time that their country, in the lower Mississippi Valley along the lower Arkansas and Missouri rivers, was established. Pawnee scouts served faithfully and courageously in the United States Army in Indian wars.

Winfield Courier, December 30, 1875.

A correspondent of the Topeka Commonwealth digs up and puts on record the following historical gossip. He writes from Smith Centre, Smith County.

"In 1832 a desperate battle was fought at the forks of Beaver Creek, some three and a half miles southwest of Smith Centre, between the Pawnee, Delaware, and Omaha Indians, on one side, and the Cheyennes, Comanches, Arapahos, and Apaches on the other.

"The Pawnee party numbered some 7,000 warriors, and the Cheyenne confederation about 9,000.

"On the side of the Pawnees over 2,000 were slain on the battlefield. On the other side some 3,000 were killed outright and some were taken prisoners and afterwards burned at the stake.

"The fight was brought on by the Pawnees, who at that time were the most powerful and war-like tribe west of the Mississippi. The fight lasted for three days and was one of the most bloody conflicts between opposing bands of Indians ever fought on the American continent, resulting in a complete victory for the Pawnees.

"In this desperate conflict the Pawnees were led by the celebrated Chief, Tar-po-naha, at that time the most crafty and daring chief of the Pawnee confederation. The Cheyennes were led by O-co-no-ma-woe, from whom Sitting Bull, of the Sioux, is said to be a lineal descendant.

"This romantic tradition was told to your correspondent by an old blind warrior of the Pawnees about one year ago, as they were on their way south, who is said to be the only survivor of the bloody conflict now left to tell the bloody story. It is authenticated and substantiated by Montravia, an old French trapper and hunter, now living on the extreme head-waters of Frenchman's Fork of the Republican River, to whom it was told by the Pawnees."

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Three treaties (1833, 1848, and 1857) provided for the cession of all Pawnee lands with the exception of a reservation thirty miles long and ten miles wide along both banks of the Loup River, centering near present Fullerton, Nance County, Nebraska.

In 1872 Pawnee delegations came south in search of a location in Indian Territory due to the sale of their Nebraska reservation lands. Under the leadership of their chiefs, Spotted Horse and Lone Chief, they came to the Wichita Agency in the winter of 1873-74, where they remained as neighbors of the Wichita until they left for their new reservation in the spring of 1875.

In the autumn of 1874, the Pawnee chiefs and their agent, William Burgess, selected a location between the Arkansas and the Cimarron rivers consisting of 283,020 acres out of their tribal fundsCconfirmed by Congress in 1876.

The new tribal agency was established on Black Bear Creek in the summer of 1875. The confederated bands of Pawnee were Chaui, Kitkehahke, Petahauerat, and Skidi (or Skede).

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Winfield Courier, April 29, 1875.

[From the St. Louis Democrat, 21st.]

The Hon. Francis F. Smith, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Indian Commission, and B. B. Roberts, also a member of the Commission, arrived in St. Louis yesterday from Omaha, on their way East. These gentlemen have been on a tour for observation and negotiation in the Pawnee country, which is located in Nebraska, on the Platte River.

Their visit had for its main object the removal of the tribe to a new reservation located in Indian Territory, between the Cimarron and Arkansas Rivers, and belonging formerly to the Cherokees. The old reservation contains nearly 300,000 acres, which, by an act of Congress passed in June, 1872, is to be sold in sections.

Last fall a large share of the tribe left for their new reservation on a buffalo hunt, and to join a party that had started the year previous. After a successful winter they met Agent Burgess, and agreed upon a site for their reservation, in March last. Something over 400, consisting mainly of the aged, infirm, and the children in school, remain at the reservation in Nebraska, and will be subsisted there until the latter portion of the present season, when, it is hoped, quarters will be prepared for their occupation in their new location.

The entire failure of Congress to make preparation for the expense of the removal causes great embarrassment to the authorities.

Winfield Courier, July 1, 1875.

Dispatches from the frontier state that large parties of Sioux, Cheyennes, and Arapahoes started on the war path lately. The objective points are thought to be the Pawnee, Ponca, Ute, and Shoshone agencies, which have been warned of the impending raids. It is believed by men well posted in savage ways that the Sioux and other hostile tribes are preparing for a gigantic Indian war, and that the government will have to decide which course it will pursueCprotect the peaceful tribes and the settlers, or leave them to their fate and keep miners out of the Black Hills. The troops are not strong enough to do both.

Winfield Courier, September 2, 1875.

Arkansas City has the most enterprise, the wealthier merchants, and one newspaper well supported by her businessmen. Her merchants advertise extensively, and are drawing a large trade which naturally belongs to Winfield. One of her firms, A. A. Newman & Co., have the government contract to furnish Pawnee Agency with 750,000 pounds of flour, delivered at the Agency. This, besides aiding our wheat market, will furnish employment for a large number of teams. The distance is ninety miles. Leavenworth Times.

Winfield Courier, September 2, 1875. Bowen & Berkey, of the flat-boat expedition, have returned to the City. They report the "Arkansaw" navigable 80 miles, as far as they went, and now say if Arkansas City will raise them $1,000 they will put a steamboat on the river in running order. They stopped their boat at Pawnee Agency, as there they learned that flour in Little Rock, Arkansas, was selling at $2 per cwt. and wheat at 60 cents per bushel. They will probably attempt to turn the river "end for end," and ship wheat and flour down here next.

Winfield Courier, October 21, 1875.

Lazette News.

Port Coons put in an appearance a few days ago. His sojourn with the Pawnee braves agrees with him. Upon his return to the Agency, he took with him Charles Brintzenhoffer.

Winfield Courier, December 2, 1875. Five hundred Pawnee Indians passed through town today. In the year 1603 they owned the entire domain from the Yellowstone to the Arkansas River, and numbered up in the tens of thousands.

Winfield Courier, December 16, 1875.

The Pawnee Indians, in their recent migration through this county, committed many little inconsistencies. After the procession had passed the house of Sampson Johnson, situated about three miles southwest of town, a straggling red man approached it and found no one at home. He entered and broke open a trunk and was helping himself when Mr. Johnson, who had been watching from a field nearby, burst in upon him.

Before the Indian could recover from his surprise, Sampson, who is a heavy, strong man, seized the butt end of the thief's rifle. A tussle ensued. Sampson got the muzzle against the Indian's bowels and cocked it; but simultaneously, the Indian pulled the cap off the tube. Finally Sampson got possession of the weapon and struck the Indian on the head with a crushing blow, which laid him senseless upon the floor. This gave Sampson a chance to breathe, when "lo" another Indian appeared upon the scene. By this time the prostrate Indian recovered his senses and the English language; for, upon rising to his feet, in terror he begged piteously for his rifle and promised good behavior if he could but obtain his gun and be let go. Sampson magnanimously gave up the weapon and both savages went off wiser and honest men. Johnson later discovered that the Indian had stolen a valuable breastpin.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 26, 1876. About seven hundred Pawnee Indians left their reservation in the Territory on Thursday to go on a grand buffalo hunt. They will go about 75 miles west of Camp Supply and be absent about four months.

Gen. Chatterson, who has been acting as sub agent at the Pawnee agency, resigned his position last Tuesday and will return to Washington, D. C.

We learn that last Saturday orders were received from Washington to "stop all work on the Pawnee reservation except the issuing of rations."

Arkansas City Traveler, February 2, 1876. CROWELL & CO., of Coffeyville, shipped to the Osages, two loads, and to the Pawnees, twelve loads of merchandise.

Arkansas City Traveler, February 9, 1876. No appropriation has been made for the Pawnee Indians by Congress, and their supplies have stopped, leaving them in a critical condition, and compelling them to beg for food. The last time they were here, they found a hog that had died the day before, and ate it with a greedy relish.

Arkansas City Traveler, February 9, 1876. Front Page.

ARKANSAS CITY, February 8, 1876.

Editor Traveler: In company with A. A. Newman, we recently paid a visit to the Pawnee Agency, and at your request, will give you a few items.

We left Arkansas City on Thursday. Owing to the rains of late, and the heavy freights that have passed over the road, it was very much cut up; but it is a natural route, and with a few days' work, would make the best road in this section. Would it not be a wise move for the citizens of this place to take measures to have some improvements made on it?

We arrived at the Agency Friday afternoon; found Agent Burgess and family comfortably located in their new quarters, and to whom we are under obligations for their hospitality, and for much information relative to the progress of the Indians, their management, etc.

The tribe numbers about 2,400 persons. Their Reservation as contemplated embraces near 600,000 acres of land. While there is sufficient good land for all farming purposes, the proportion of good land is not so great as that between here and there; but it is adapted to stock growing, being well watered and timbered.

A portion of the tribe moved on their Reservation in June last, since which time they have broken 400 acres of prairie, 90 of which is in fall wheat, and looks fine. Thirty buildings have been erected, principally for the use of employees. This includes a large frame barn, with stabling capacity for fifty horses, granaries, etc. A saw mill has also been erected, at a cost of about $5,000, with which they have cut near 200,000 feet of lumber. An office of cut stone is under process of construction, and when completed, will be a very handsome structure. A very superior quality of building stone is found within easy reach of the AgencyCmostly sandstone, but there is a sufficiency of limestone for all purposes.

Indian labor is employed as far as practicable, and they manifest considerable of skill in the use of tools, etc. Quite a number of full blood Indians are serving apprenticeships at the different trades, and we were informed by those over them that they take quite an interest in their work, and seem anxious to learn.

A day school is in progress, conducted by Miss Burgess and Mrs. Longshore, with an average attendance of 90 scholars, an equal number of boys and girlsCsomething unusual for Indians, as they are almost universally opposed to the education of their girls, and their prejudices can only be overcome by time and an unlimited amount of patience. It being Saturday, we did not have an opportunity of visiting the school, but were informed that they are easily governed, and learn quite readily, several of them being able to read quite intelligently, having only been in school a little over a year.

A portion of their tribe are on their annual hunt, but meeting with poor success. They draw an annuity of $30,000, $15,000 of which they receive in annuity goods. The balance is paid them in cash, semi-annually.

We were shown Indians, who, two years ago, were the wildest of their tribe, but who are now wearing citizens' clothes, and are evidently anxious to settle down to farming pursuits and follow the "white man's road."

The health of the tribe is not so good as on their old Reservation, owing probably to the change of climate. Their sanitary interests are cared for by Dr. Lamb, a very pleasant gentleman and a thorough practitioner.

Agent Burgess has had charge of the tribe for three years, and under his efficient management it is evident the Indians are making rapid strides toward civilization, which is nothing more than a just recompense for his efforts, as he is heartily engaged in his work, and certainly has a very rational method of dealing with his "children," and if permitted to continue his administration a few years, we may expect to see them become self-sustaining.J. L. S.

Arkansas City Traveler, February 23, 1876.

The Pawnees and Kaws haul cord wood to town to sell.

Not so many furs brought in this winter as last.

Panthers and wolves are abundant in the Territory. Many of the above animals are killed and their skins sold.

Crowell & Co., shipped three or four wagon loads of merchandise to the Pawnees last week, including a large lot of school furniture.

Arkansas City Traveler, March 1, 1876.

HEAP GOOD! A Pawnee Indian passed through town last week with a large fat dog on his shoulders, which he said was "heap goodCPawnee eat him."

Arkansas City Traveler, March 1, 1876. An old scalp taker presented a petition the other day to one of our merchants, which read as follows: "This is a good Indian. He was a soldier, and fought and died for his country. Give him five cents."

Arkansas City Traveler, March 15, 1876.

A PAWNEE SQUAW was circulating a petition for "bread or ten cents," yesterday, stating that "he had served as a soldier.@ Some New Englander evidently wrote the petition, without knowing the sex of the party he was accommodating.

Arkansas City Traveler, March 22, 1876. THE PAWNEES say: "Injun sell bow for one dollar; whitey man say fifty cents. Injun no sell 'um; go off to railroad and sell 'um for two dollars." Even Lo appreciates the need of a railroad for his traffic.

Winfield Courier, April 6, 1876. The Lazette News reports that O. P. Reed and Ben. Sutton have recently returned from the Pawnee Agency, Indian Territory.

Arkansas City Traveler, April 12, 1876.

The bill providing for the sale of the Pawnee Indian Reserve, in Nebraska, has passed both Houses of Congress. The Pawnees will not have to go hungry any longer, now.

Arkansas City Traveler, April 19, 1876.

TEAMS from the Pawnee Agency were up last week.

Arkansas City Traveler, April 26, 1876.

The President has signed the bill authorizing the sale of the Pawnee reservation.

Arkansas City Traveler, May 24, 1876.

Geo. F. Howell has been appointed postmaster at the Pawnee Agency.

A number of teams from the Pawnee Agency were up last week after corn.

Arkansas City Traveler, June 14, 1876.

Only one solitary Pawnee Indian wandered in from the Territory this week.

Arkansas City Traveler, June 14, 1876. MR. BURGESS, Agent of the Pawnee Indians, made this place a short visit last week. By his genial manner and cordial treatment, Mr. Burgess has made many friends along the border.

Arkansas City Traveler, June 14, 1876. A vein of coal crops out on the banks of a stream near the Pawnee Agency. The coal is said to be good.

Winfield Courier, June 15, 1876.

Hon. T. B. Eldridge and J. C. Leach, of Coffeyville, were awarded the contract Monday, by Superintendent Nicholson, for furnishing supplies to the Pawnees.

A dispatch was recently carried from Coffeyville, Kansas, to Pawnee Agency, Indian Territory, a distance of a little over one hundred miles, in fourteen hours.

Arkansas City Traveler, June 21, 1876. A number of Pawnee Indians passed through this place on horseback, last Saturday, going north, to work as harvesters.

Arkansas City Traveler, August 30, 1876. TWO PAWNEE INDIANS passed through this place last week, on their way north. They will endeavor to be employed as scouts against the Sioux, who have for many years been their deadly enemies.

Arkansas City Traveler, August 30, 1876. The Commissioner of Indian affairs has given permission to Sheridan to raise 100 Pawnee scouts for the Sioux war.

Arkansas City Traveler, September 6, 1876.

MR. A. A. NEWMAN has been awarded another contract to supply the Pawnee Indians with 30,000 pounds of flour. The contract is not so large this time, but more are expected.

Arkansas City Traveler, September 13, 1876.

ED HORN was brought up from the Pawnee Agency, sick.

Arkansas City Traveler, October 4, 1876. Three cars loaded with Pawnee Indians recently passed through Humboldt on their way to fight the Sioux.

Arkansas City Traveler, October 11, 1876. The Pawnee Indians who left the Agency several weeks ago have arrived at the Sioux country.

Arkansas City Traveler, October 11, 1876. MONTGOMERY MOORE, of Cana, has the contract to carry the Pawnee Agency mail from Independence.

Arkansas City Traveler, November 29, 1876.

WITH WOOD AT $4 AND $4.50 A CORD, it is going to cost something to keep warm this winter. Why don't the freighters coming from Pawnee Agency bring back a load of coal on their return? It is said there is plenty of it within eight miles of the Agency, and the Pawnees will be glad to open a bank.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 3, 1877.

For the benefit of the citizens of Arkansas City and vicinity, I hereby give the information that the laws regulating Indian trade prohibit any person or persons whosoever, without a license granted by the Indian Department, from trading with Indians in the Indian country, and any person violating the law at this Agency will be speedily punished.

S. MATLACK, Trader.

I have read the above notice, and believe the trader is justified to protecting his guaranteed right under the law. W. BURGESS, U. S. Indian Agent.

Dec. 21st, 1876.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 17, 1877.

A. A. NEWMAN has the entire contract for furnishing flour to the Pawnees, Cheyennes, etc., having purchased Houghton & McLaughlin's, and R. C. Haywood's interests.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 24, 1877.

The Pawnee and Kaw Indians adorned our streets all day last Sunday and Monday.

Arkansas City Traveler, February 7, 1877.

RED FORK RANCHE, JAN. 25TH.

Here this evening with Dan Jones. Wolves, Prairie Dogs, and wild turkeys on all sides. Good weather and excellent traveling. Will make Cheyenne Agency tomorrow. All quiet. Haven't seen any of the Arkansas City teams yet. Pawnees left here yesterday for the buffalo range 150 miles west. Yours, C. M. SCOTT.

Winfield Courier, June 5, 1879.

EDITOR COURIER:CI haven't much to say this time, as I made but a short, quick trip. Leaving Arkansas City on the 20th and returning on the 26th, going to Ponca, Pawnee, and Kaw agencies, taking in Governor Joe's camp on Salt Creek as I came by, cutting across the country from Pawnee to Kaw agency.

The Pawnees held a council last Saturday, and declared their intentions to go back to their Reserve in Nebraska if the Government didn't pay them according to the treaty. No one seems to know why they are not paid, and the delay is shameful and is working a great hardship upon them. The government should hold faith with the Pawnees, if with no other tribe. It can't be recollected when they were at war with the whites, and I believe them as loyal men as exist to-day. Go among them and call for recruits to-day, and every soul that can cling to a horse will come forward and tell you as they did the agent in their council, they were ready to die for the government. This they said with tears in their eyes, while they begged to be told what wrong they had committed that they should be treated so negligently. As "Sun Chief" said: "We feel as though we had killed some of the Great Father's children, yet we know that we have not." I like the Pawnees. They are men all over. When they go on the plains, no Indian can cope with them, and when they talk, they are listened to. It is not so with the Osages. With them it is "how" to your face and an arrow to your back. Of course, there are exceptions. My friend Ah-hun-ke-mi, is one. (I put this in for fear "Bill Conner" will see it, and "Bill," or Ah-hun-ke-mi, is a special friend of mine.)

It's wonderful how these Indians find out what is going on. Every Ponca, Pawnee, and Cheyenne knows of the late decision in "Standing Bear's" favor. They know the movements of the troops in the North, and can discount any lawyer living reciting treaties.

It's a mistake about many of the Indians being Free Masons. Some of them are, but the signs given by them are generally accidental. The "plains" language, used and understood by Indians is all signs. Different tribes are designated among Indians from some particular trait of the tribe. For instance, the Sioux are called "cut-throats," because they always cut the throats of their victims. The Cheyennes are called "cut-finger" from the fact that when one member of the tribe is sick or dies, the mother or squaw will cut off a finger at the joint, and then hold it up to the sun for days. The Pawnees are called wolves, as they dress in wolf skins when creeping up to steal horses. In the plains language, a motion across the throat with the hand indicates Sioux. The same on the finger, Cheyenne, and placing the hands to the head with a finger on each side, indicates Pawnee or wolf. Thus it is in the plains language, all by signs.

The Caldwell Journal, May 17, 1883.

Spotted Horse is no more. He departed this life last Monday morning, at the hands of the city marshal, H. N. Brown. The manner of his death and the circumstances leading thereto are about as follows.

Spotted Horse was a Pawnee Indian, whose custom it was to make periodical visits to Caldwell with one or more of his squaws, bartering their persons to the lusts of two-legged white animals in whom the dog instinct prevailed. Last Friday or Saturday Spotted Horse drove into town in a two-horse wagon, with one of his squaws, and went into camp on a vacant lot between Main and Market streets. About half past six on Monday morning he walked into the Long Branch Restaurant with his squaw and wanted the proprietors to give them breakfast. This they refused to do, when he left and wandered around town, taking in the Moreland House, where he was given a sackful of cold meat and bread. From thence he and the squaw went over to E. H. Beals= house on Market street, north of Fifth. Mr. Beals and his family were just sitting down to breakfast when Spotted Horse and his squaw walked in without the least ceremony and demanded something to eat. Mr. Beals= wife and daughter were considerably alarmed, and the former ordered the Indians to leave. They went out and then Spotted Horse handed to the squaw the bundle of grub he had obtained at the Moreland, and walked back into the house, up to the table, and put his hand on Miss Beals= head. Mr. Beals immediately jumped to his feet and made signs for the Indian to go out, at the same time applying an opprobrious epithet to him. The Indian immediately pulled out his revolver, and Mr. Beals told him to get out and they would settle the trouble there. Spotted Horse put up his pistol and walked out, and Mr. Beals after him. Once outside, the Indian pulled his revolver again, and Mr. Beals seized a spade that was at hand. Just about this time Grant Harris ran up to the Indian and told him to go away, that he ought not to attack an old man. The Indian then opened out with a volley of abuse, directed to Mr. Beals, in good plain English. Young Harris finally induced him to put up his pistol and leave.

The next heard of Spotted Horse and his squaw was that they had walked into the back door of the Long Branch kitchen and helped themselves to breakfast. Louis Heironymous being the only one connected with the restaurant present in the building at the time, made no objections, and the two reds had a good feast.

It appears that after breakfast the squaw went to the wagon, while Spotted Horse strolled into Morris= grocery, one door north of the Long Branch. Meantime a complaint had been made to city marshal Brown in reference to the Indian=s conduct at Beals= house, and the marshal had started out to hunt him up, finally finding him in Morris= grocery. The marshal approached Spotted Horse and requested him to go with him to Mr. Covington, in order that the latter might act as an interpreter. The Indian refused, when the marshal took hold of him. Spotted Horse didn=t like that, and commenced to feel for his revolver. The marshal pulled his out and told the Indian to stop. On the latter refusing to do so, the marshal fired at him. In all, four shots were fired by the marshal, the last one striking the Indian about where the hair came down to his forehead, and came out at the back of his head. Parties who were present state that if the officer=s last shot had failed, the Indian would have had the advantage, because he had just succeeded in drawing his revolver when the shot struck him.

The Indian was shortly after removed to the warehouse two doors north, where every attention was given him, but he died in about two hours without uttering a word, although he seemed to be conscious up to within a few moments before breathing his last.

Coroner Stevenson was telegraphed for and came down late in the afternoon, viewed the body, and held an inquest that night. On Tuesday morning, the jury brought in a verdict that the deceased came to his death by a gun shot wound in the hands of H. N. Brown, and that the shooting was done in the discharge of his duty as an officer of the law, and the verdict of the entire community is the same.

The squaw, we are told, upon hearing the first shot fired, hitched the horses to the wagon and drove off as fast as she could toward the Territory.