The Kansa are one of the five tribes in the Dhegiha group of the Siouan linguistic familyCthe same language of the Osage. The name Kansa signifies AWind People@ or ASouth Wind People.@ In Oklahoma history, the Kansa are generally referred to as the Kaw.

A treaty in 1859 ceded to the United States about half the Kansa reservation. The remaining tribal tract (nine by fourteen miles) was sold by acts of Congress (1872, 1874, 1876, 1880) and the money used to purchase a new reservation in the Indian Territory consisting of 100,000 acres in the northwestern corner of the Osage reservation.

The Kansa left Kansas early in June, 1873, arriving in the Indian Territory after an overland journey of seventeen days. Their new agency was known as the Kaw Agency (a subagency of the Osage Agency) and was located on the present site of Washunga in Kay County. Near Beaver Creek, buildings were erected to house the Kaw Boarding School, which was operated under government auspices for many years.

The Kansa (Kaw) suffered near starvation and severe loss of population. There were 533 upon arrival in Indian Territory in 1873. This diminished to 194 in 1889.

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Emporia News, November 25, 1870.

LETTER FROM THOMAS H. STANLEY.

AMERICUS, 11 mo., 15th, 1870.

ESTEEMED FRIENDS, STOTLER & WILLIAMS: On the 26th of last month I joined the company that were going to look out a new home in the Indian Territory for the Kaw Indians, consisting of their agent and farmer, six of the prominent Indians (four of them that are part French), one Frenchman who had married a half-breed, and Carlos Bridges, our cook. Two of the party acted as interpreters when occasion required it. The first night most of the party camped near Soden=s mill. The night was quite wet. The next day, being still wet, we got a late start, and when we reached Eagle Creek, near Elmendaro, it had risen so that we could not cross with safety for near two days. Then by going up the creek near two miles, we crossed it and went over to the Verdigris, and followed it on the east side to near the Falls, where we camped for the night. The day following we pursued our journey down the Verdigris, passing near Virgil and Sheridan, which are very small towns. At the latter there is a steam saw mill and a little grocery. The next town we came to was Toronto, which had about fifteen or twenty new houses on it. It is situated on a nice elevated prairie, about seventy feet above the bottom land, and near one mile and a half from the river, and ten miles northwest from Coyville. Several of the settlers are from Canada, and our Indians appeared to be rather a curiosity to some of them. Some of the party were not pleased with being looked at so much. A little beyond this town we camped for the night in a little grove of timber.

Early in the next day our company divided, as the river was too high to be forded. We left the wagons and all of the party but Mahlon Stubbs and myself, to wait until they could cross the river, and then go nearly south to the south line of the State, where we would meet.

And Mahlon and I followed the road down the river, passing Guilford, near the center of Wilson County. Our friend, Akin, formerly of Council grove, has a mill at this place. About six miles further down the river, near the mouth of Cedar Creek, is the new town of Altoona, with about thirty houses in it. It is handsomely located near the river. Our son, William F. Stanley, lives about five miles nearly east of this place. We were much pleased with the appearance of this county. It appeared to be settled with an enterprising class of people.

After a short visit with my son and family, we went on south near twenty miles, to Morgan City, and then four miles east, and called on our friend, Isaac T. Gibson, the agent for the Osages, whom I was well acquainted with in Iowa. We called on him in order to ascertain where he had located the Osages, so that we might know how to proceed with our business. We had an interesting conversation on Indian matters, in comparing views, etc. Our dear friend has formerly bee a devoted laborer among the freedmen, and we heard some speak of him in our travels in high terms. I felt a sympathy with him in his arduous field of labor. He appears to be doing all he can to improve the condition of the Osages, and has a general interest in the welfare of mankind, particularly those that need encouragement to improve their condition.

After this interesting visit with this devoted Friend, we proceeded on our journey through Independence, the county seat of Montgomery County. It is handsomely situated on the west side of the Verdigris, and contains nearly 200 houses. There is said to be twelve towns and about 15,000 inhabitants in this county. The land is handsomely rolling, and mostly good soil.

From Independence we went nearly west about ten miles, to a small settlement of Friends, and from there struck across to Little Cana, near the west side of Montgomery County. Here we came up to the rest of our party, and proceeded on down the Cana to St. Paul, a town of about six houses, near the southeast corner of Howard County; and about three miles further on is Euniceville, very near the south line of the State, on the east bank of Little Cana. Nearly one mile west of this little town the 96 w. l. and 37 n. l. cross each other.

The agent had been instructed to look out a home for the Kaws west of 96 w. l., and south of Kansas, which is said to be 37 n. l. We then proceeded at once to examine the country, by taking a western course, as near the south line of Kansas as we could come at from all the information we could obtain.

After traveling about five miles over a handsome, rolling prairie, we ascended a stony hill about 100 feet high, timbered with scrubby oaks. We then had a hilly and rocky country, with but little valley land for about ten miles; when we came to the Big Cana, which is nearly as large as Cottonwood.

We then followed this creek, examining the country. There were several deers seen by our party, but none of us succeeded in killing any, though there was considerable anxiety manifested to have some deer meat to eat. We met several Osages out hunting, and some of them had been more successful than we had, as we saw the venison dangling by the side of the ponies. They had set fire to the prairie in many places, which swept over the hills in a terrific manner, roaring very much like distant thunder. At times our Indians were kindly treated by the Osages, and some of them eat with our party. They had no difficulty in talking with each other, as their language is very near alike.

We followed the Big Cana bottom around to the Little Cana, which brought us back to about eight miles south of the place where we struck west. The Kaws like the country as well as we could, except the rocky hills. We then struck south, on a plain road, to Shotoe=s store, nearly twenty-three miles south of Kansas, and one mile west of 96 w. l. The Osage agent met us at this place to counsel with his Indians about their choice of a home. We also met with two of our Eastern friends, Wm. Nicholson, from North Carolina, and Edward Earl, from New England, who are on a visit to the Indians, agents, etc., in the Central Superintendency. We saw some Delawares and Cherokees while here, and a part of them appear to be doing quite well, and others poorly. Our Indians did not wish to go any farther, and informed us that if they could not get their reserve next to Kansas and on the Cana, they didn=t wish any. So we could not prevail on them to go any farther, and after visiting there about two days the agent thought best for us to come home, and he would endeavor to get the land for them that they had chosen. But there are some doubts about his success, as it was said that the Osages had included that in their choice of a reserve; and there is also some other difficulty to be adjusted before they can get it. If they succeed in getting the promise of this land, then they will likely sell their land to their great father at Washington, as they do not wish to trade with any other person.

The land west of the Cana and east of the Arkansas, from what we saw and heard, is very rough and broken, with hills nearly 200 feet high. The good land is confined to the valleys, but from the Cana to the Verdigris is mostly nice, rolling land.

On our way home we passed through St. Paul and Elk City. This last town, situated on Elk River, is quite a thriving place, and has a good country around it. From thence to Fredonia (near Fall River), the county seat of Wilson County, is handsomely located near a mound on nice, rolling prairie. From thence to Coyville, on the Verdigris, which has been quite a trading post. We then followed up the Verdigris, passing through Greenwood, Sheradin, Madison, Emporia, and Americus.

We had a very satisfactory trip with but little exception. We had several very interesting talks with our Indians relative to their future course and best welfare. They behaved themselves throughout the trip quite well, and at times were very lively. Some of us had considerable conversation relative to the best plan to be adopted to promote the improvement of the Indians. This is a subject that has long been much on my mind, and of late I find many others that are feeling much interested in their improvement, and I feel encouraged, believing that there will be a gradual improvement in most of the tribes.

During the rebellion there was many things calculated to make the Indians worse. They were also neglected by the better class of the community, as the freedmen seemed to claim nearly all the energies of the Philanthropist until recently; but of late they are becoming wakened up in regard to our duties towards the aborigines of our country. It is my desire that we may not overlook any class in our country, but labor earnestly and prayerfully for the advancement and improvement especially of the most neglected classes.

I was considerably interested in the Geology of the country over which we passed. The stones or rocks in Lyon County are mostly of limestone formation.

But over on Verdigris we soon came to sandstone, which continues until we come about Fall River, and from there to Elk River we see limestone, and from that southward sandstone until we get about 20 miles south of the State of Kansas, where we come to limestone again. In Wilson County I heard that they had a thin vein of coal cropping out, and I think likely that coal will be found in other places in the southern part of the State.

The timber appeared to be rather thicker and more of it as we went southward. In many places there was considerable timber on the hills. Last summer in my visit to the northeastern part of our State, I observed many new improvements going on, but not to the same extent that there is south. Respectfully, T. H. STANLEY.

Emporia News, December 9, 1870. AMERICUS. Friend Thomas H. Stanley informs us that Mahlon Stubbs, agent of the Kaws, has returned from his mission to the Indian Territory, and reports the prospect favorable for the settlement of the Kaws on a new reservation in that country. If such an arrangement can be effected, we suppose the Kaw reservation will soon be brought into market.

Emporia News, January 20, 1871. AMERICUS. The Kaws have been out on the plains hunting, and were caught by the late cold snap away from shelter and feed for their ponies. It is reported that several Indians froze to death. They lost some of their ponies.

Considerable quantities of timber are being taken off the reserve by white men. The Kaws are selling it to them at a mere nominal price. Where is the honest agent who attends to Uncle Sam=s business up there?

Emporia News, March 17, 1871. The following are the names of some of the students in the Apreparatory department@ of the AKaw College@ on their reserve: Oshunga, Sinjalo, Moshoyolla, Sinjoshingah, Hewah-kahgah, Cihegahche, Ladohoja, Kawnsayolla, Wah-gahma, Ischaga, Tahtunggah, Gahskah-chid, Dodale, Wyissa, Wahshonkiah, Bahahgheah.

Emporia News, May 12, 1871.

A Washington dispatch to the New York Times says the Secretary of the Interior has directed the Indian office to advertise the Kaw Indian lands in Kansas for sale immediately. The plan is to advertise for sealed proposals, each bid to be for a tract of land not containing more than 100 acres, and award each of such tracts to the highest bidder. This will prevent any large quantity of those lands falling into the hands of one company or individual, because they are very valuable, and a great many people are ready to settle on them, and have already decided on the sections they desire, or have them already under improvement, and they can of course bid higher for those sections which they particularly desire than a person biding for large tracts for the sake of speculation could afford. The conditions are such that the competition must be very great. There are about 100,000 acres which will be sold, there being reserved in accordance with the treaty a quantity sufficient for the head rightsCthat is, for heads of families and Indians over twenty-one years old which have been determined and set off.

Emporia News, May 12, 1871.

A Washington dispatch to the New York Times says the Secretary of the Interior has directed the Indian office to advertise the Kaw Indian lands in Kansas for sale immediately. The plan is to advertise for sealed proposals, each bid to be for a tract of land not containing more than 100 acres, and award each of such tracts to the highest bidder. This will prevent any large quantity of those lands falling into the hands of one company or individual, because they are very valuable, and a great many people are ready to settle on them, and have already decided on the sections they desire, or have them already under improvement, and they can of course bid higher for those sections which they particularly desire than a person biding for large tracts for the sake of speculation could afford. The conditions are such that the competition must be very great. There are about 100,000 acres which will be sold, there being reserved in accordance with the treaty a quantity sufficient for the head rightsCthat is, for heads of families and Indians over twenty-one years old which have been determined and set off.

Emporia News, May 19, 1871.

Agent Stubbs, of the Kaws, accompanied Superintendent Hoag to Washington, and upon his return the people will doubtless learn the status of the Kaw lands.

Winfield Messenger, August 16, 1872.

The appraisers of Kaw trust lands entered upon their duties on Monday. They com-menced at the northeast corner of the lands, and will carefully examine each separate tract.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 10, 1873.

Agent Stubbs has orders to remove the Kaw Indians as soon as he can make the necessary arrangements. Get ready soon, Mr. Stubbs.

The Council Grove Democrat says, on authority of Col. Stover, that the Kaw land appraisement has been accepted and will be advertised as soon as practicable.

Walnut Valley Times, June 13, 1873.

The Kaw Indian Nation, numbering over 500, passed through town this week, on their way to the Indian Territory. They gave us a war dance on Thursday night, which was attended by almost every man, woman, and child on the townsite.

Winfield Courier, June 26, 1873.

Go to Con.'s Gallery for pictures of the Kaws. He succeeded in taking several of them as the noble red men passed through here. For sale cheap. Send them to your friends east.

Winfield Courier, July 24, 1873.

A great many of the farmers living near the State line on the Southeast part of the county, have gone down into the Territory to break prairie for the Kaw Indians on their reservation. They think Uncle Sam is a good paymaster.

Winfield Courier, January 16, 1874.

The Kaw Agency. Cuteness of Arkansas City Officials.

A short time ago I had occasion to visit the Kaw Agency and if you will permit me I will give you a few of the observations that I made.

We crossed the state line south of Maple City, and the road led down the little Beaver. Of this stream little need be said, more than that it runs through as fertile and fine a valley as there is in this country of the same size. About four miles below the junction of the two Beavers, the agency is situated. The confluence of the Big Beaver and the Arkansas is something like a mile below. The buildings at the Agency are being built in as beautiful a natural grove of oaks as can be found, it being on a gentle eminence that commands a good view of the surrounding country. Here you can find all that is necessary to constitute a rich country. The soil is as good as can be found; water is plenty. In the Beaver it is as clear as crystal, but the Arkansas presents a rather murky appearance. There is sufficient timber for all demands, also good building stone and within easy hauling distance.

The buildings being erected are three of stone, viz: the mission, the schoolhouse, and the agent=s house. Besides these there are several wooden ones already up. The mission is the largest of all, it being three and a half stories high. It is intended for the Indian children's home, as they are to be taken away from their parents and kept here to themselves. The idea seems to be a good one.

Mr. Stubbs, the Agent, whose hospitality we enjoyed, is deeply interested in his work, as his labor shows. He has been among these Indians for the last ten years, and the regard evinced for him by his charges is good proof that sordidness and rapacity are not his characteristics and which have so often been a controlling element in many Indian agents' characters. Notwithstanding the oft repeated saying of many that the present policy of the government was a failure, if it works as efficiently in other places as Mr. Stubbs is carrying it out here, I venture the opinion that the end of Indian difficulties will be seen by the time the present generation passes away. I opine that the hue and cry that is raised by many against the humane policy that is now being tried have expectations not altogether disinterested, could the system be done away with.

There is a store at the Agency belonging to parties who own stores at the Osage Agency. This store is under the control of Mr. Lindsay Stubbs, a son of the agent, whose affability makes one feel at home when he gets down there, though he be among the "red men of the west.@ Mr. Lindsay is, I believe, clerk, a position he is well qualified to fill. A school is taught here by Miss Thompson, an able teacher from this state, but as the Indians are out on a hunt now, she has but few scholars, those of the employees, and those belonging to the half breeds.

A word or two might be said about the half breedsCthat is the way they are taking hold of work; the interest they manifest in sending their children to school; their attendance at church, and their general demeanor shows they aim to reap the benefits of the policy that intends to educate and elevate them, instead of debasing and destroying them.

Speaking of the half breeds brings to mind the facts that S. P. Channell of Arkansas City, was down there at the time that we were, to see one of these half breeds, Fredrick Handy by name, the one that created such confusion among the merchants of the City a short time ago. Mr. Channell, I believe, had better success than did the officials that were sent down a short time before, to decoy this poor untutored child of the plain out of his native fastness into the jurisdiction of white man's law. As the officials exercised so much shrewdness, as they thought, I will relate the circumstances as told to me.

The city marshal and a constable of Arkansas City went to the Agency armed with warrants, summons, and "sich," to bring Hardy to grief before the tribunals at the city. In order to make things work, it was essential that their victim should be decoyed within the limits of the state. To do this, in the morning the two officials started from the Agency, and before they got to Hardy's house, one of them dismounted and gave his horse to the other one to lead, and told him to go to some agreed place, on the line, and he would bring their man there. So he started off towards Hardy's limping, and when he arrived there he told Hardy that he was a cattle man and had a drove of twelve hundred head up near the line which he wished to visit, but was so lame that he could not walk, and he wished to get Hardy to take him up there with his team.

Fred readily consented to go, and drove up to where the official directed. The house where they stopped is situated near the line, and Fred instead of taking his team into the state, left it across the line. They went into the house, ate dinner, and after dinner Fred heard the officer state that the people of Arkansas City would have to give him credit for a great deal of shrewdness, in getting the half breed out of the Territory. But he had no sooner said it than Fred was again free, having crossed over the line at a bound, and that is why the scheme set on foot by the victimized merchants to get this man where they could make him "fork over" failed.

Winfield Courier, May 29, 1874.

Two men, William Gilmore and Francis J. Seltz, who have been stopping at the mouth of Grouse for some weeks, and of whom we spoke last week, warning the people to look out for them, were overtaken and captured on the Shawkaska River, by Curry, Keho, Blair, and Roberts, last Sunday morning. The men took the horses from the Kaw Agency on Thursday night, came up Grouse Creek, and were going west. The horses belonged to Big and Little Lewis Pappan; half breed Kaw Indians. The horses were missed at daylight, and the Indians started in pursuit, tracking them all the way to Bolton Township, where they received the first news of them. Pappan's horses were tired out and he persuaded the above mentioned men to follow them on Saturday night, by whom they were captured the next morning.

At sight of the men the thieves ran and were only stopped by the firing of Curry. Seltz received the shot from Curry's carbine, the ball entering near the wrist and paralyzing his arm. At this, the thieves gave themselves up and begged to be well treated. On Monday morning they were arraigned before Justice McIntire and plead not guilty. The preliminary trial was waived, and the parties were bound over to appear at the district court in the sum of $1,000. Failing in bond, they went to jail.

Bill Gilmore is a man of about 26 years of age, over six feet tall, dark hair, intelligent expression, and mild countenance. He was born and raised in Arizona, and has spent most of his time on the border and among the Indians. In 1861 he was with General Custer, and carried dispatches from Camp Supply to Fort Dodge for General Sheridan, during the fight on the Washita. He is deeply prejudiced against Indians, and claims he would not have stolen from the whites. In conversation with Mr. Gilmore, we find him to be a well read and experienced man. Wild life and excitement is as familiar with him as his every day meal.

Francis J. Seltz is a younger man than Gilmore, with a countenance not as good or mild. He is a good conversationalist, however, and speaks fluently and rapidly. Seltz did not care to give his history, and was perfectly indifferent on some subjects. His life has been mostly confined to the east, until a few years past. He has had some difficult encounters, but only in self defense. He was free to say that he was a good shot with a carbine and could have killed the four men that were after him if he chose to, but did not want to do it.

With these additional captures, we should think horse thieves would choose some other locality for their operations. Traveler.

The thieves are now resting quietly in jail in this city.

Winfield Courier, July 17, 1874.

Mahlon Stubbs, one of the cleverest Quakers, and late, the agent for the Kaw Indians, was in town one day this week.

Winfield Courier, April 8, 1875.

Agent Spray wants bids on 600 acres of breaking, to be done this spring at the Kaw Agency.

Winfield Courier, April 29, 1875.

Several lazy-good-for-nothing-ill-looking-thieving Kaw Indians, accompanied by their smiling squaws, were in this city yesterday. They are out on a begging tour.

Winfield Courier, May 6, 1875.

Joe Jim, Chief of the Kaws, is in town today.

The Indian camp was visited by many last Sunday. Most of the boys have purchased bows and arrows from the Kaws. The Kaw Indians left for their reservation on Monday afternoon last.

Winfield Courier, October 28, 1875.

State News. A full blooded, war painted, feather-headed Kaw Indian is a mail carrier in Cowley County.

Winfield Courier, January 13, 1876.

MYERS, DAY & THOMPSON, of Cedar Township, have taken a contract to stir 400 acres of land on the Kaw reservation in the Indian Territory at $2 per acre. The Kaw reserve joins the county on the south, and east of the Arkansas.

Arkansas City Traveler, March 8, 1876.

We give below extracts from the annual report of the Hon. Edward P. Smith, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, in reference to affairs at Osage Agency.

The Kaws are native to Kansas, and removed in 1873 to the northwest corner of the Osage Reservation in the Indian Territory. They number 516. Nearly one-fourth of the tribe wear citizens' dress and live in houses. All the families are engaged in agriculture, and more than one-tenth are in school. Previous to removal, though receiving generous Government aid, they showed no disposition to labor and often suffered from want. The following, from report of Agent Gibson, shows that they are now making satisfactory progress in the right direction.

"The Kaws have been on their reservation about two years, and have made good progress, particularly during the last year, under the stimulating influence of the law requiring labor for their rations. They have been subsidized in this manner from their own funds, provided in Congress.

Each family now has a claim, under Government survey, recorded in this office. Over 150,000 rails have been split, and nearly all laid up in good fence on their farms.

They are building houses, and otherwise manifesting an interest in civilization that they have not heretofore done. Their corn is estimated at 11,600 bushels. About 600 acres of prairie have been broken by them, a considerable portion of which they are preparing to sow in wheat.

A steam grist and saw mill has been erected for them; also a commodious barn for the school farm. Both these buildings are of stone. The school has been well attended and successfully managed during the year, averaging about 45 pupils. Meetings for worship and sabbath-school are well sustained."

Arkansas City Traveler, April 5, 1876. Mr. Newman and Silas Parker visited the noble nomads of the far West, at the Kaw Agency, this week.

Winfield Courier, April 6, 1876.

MAHLON STUBBS, of Emporia, very well known about Arkansas City, has received a summons to appear before the Committee of Indian Affairs, at the House of Represen-tatives, at Washington. The summons should have included Col. McMullen and C. M. Scott, of the city, so that "the other side" of the Indian question could have a chance to speak.

Arkansas City Traveler, May 3, 1876.

We did not make a report of our recent trip to the Territory, as Rev. Green promises to write it for our next. We found everything about as we expected, except the additions that had been made of a mill and a large stone barn. The Indians too, were doing more work on their farms, and have taken claims up the Arkansas, almost to the State line. The school is progressing under the directorship of Barclay Ratcliff, and matters generally about the Agency evince a spirit of enterprise. Our company was cordially entertained, and partook of the hospitality by Dr. Hunt and his good wife. It is a pleasant place to visit and generally attended with considerable information.

Arkansas City Traveler, May 10, 1876.

As most are aware, Castello's Double Circus and Zoological Aggregation will give two exhibitions at this place tomorrow, at 1 o'clock p.m., and at 7 in the evening. The troupe is recommended as a first-class circus, with a collection of wild animals accompanying it. The price of admission is 50 cents for adults, and 25 cents for children.

An additional feature of the show on Thursday will be a number of Kaw and Pawnee Indians, who will be on hand with bows and arrows to sell.

Arkansas City Traveler, May 17, 1876.

A Ride Outside the United States.

On the morning of the 24th day of April last, the Arkansas City session of the Wichita District Conference of the M. E. Church having closed, its members, accompanied by a hospitable and intelligent company of citizens, started on a trip to the Kaw Agency, taking the ridge road.

The citizens consisted of Rev. J. J. Wingar, Rev. B. C. Swarts and lady, Rev. Rawson, C. M. Scott, Miss Eva Swarts, Mrs. C. R. Mitchell, Mrs. Jas. I. Mitchell, and Miss T. BowersCall comfortably seated in buggies, with a number of well filled baskets. The first eight miles of the way presented to the eye the most delightful landscape scenery I ever beheld, comprising hills and vales, and the rock edged ravines of the Arkansas River. Reaching Grouse Creek at noon, we halted and partook of an excellent dinner, such as only the Arkansas City ladies can prepare, and which was decidedly the best meal I ever enjoyed upon the banks of the Grouse.

We gathered up the fragments that remained, and after climbing a limestone hill some 75 feet above the river bed, we soon reached the Indian country, passing over, as a general thing, a very good quality of land, with small ravines and running water, and occasionally a high narrow ridge or peak, covered with magnesian limestone. Mile after mile we passed along, with the "TRAVELER" disappearing in the distance, doubtlessly feeling that

"_______ I am the chief of Uliva's Isle,

And this Lord Ullin's daughter."

Reaching the last summit, we unexpectedly beheld three stone buildings, surrounded by beautiful oak timber. My companion, Miss B_____, upon having her attention called to the fact that we were fast nearing our destination, manifested considerable "surprise" (not to say timidity). Discovering the "daughter" at the first building, we halted, and being informed by her that our lodging had been engaged there, we alighted, the Indian boys assisting in caring for our teams. Someone placed a "nickel" in the bark off a tree and told a little four-year-old to shoot for it. He began to shoot, when they would put him nearer and nearer, until he finally conceived the idea of certainty, and placing his drawn arrow upon the money, let go, to his own joy and the entertainment of the company.

Dr. Hunt called us to supper, where we were as well entertained as in the States. At 7 o'clock the collection bell called the Indian children to a room in the Industrial Mission boarding house, where also were Cyrus Beede and lady, Mr. Spray, Jr., and lady, of Indianapolis, and our own party. Mr. Beede is Agent for the Kaws and Osages. The Superintendent, Mr. Spray, Sr., read a part of the fifth chapter of Matthew, including the Lord's Prayer, which the children repeated with him, when they sang "Hold the Fort." The Superintendent then invited us to talk to the children. Rev. J. J. Wingar talked with them to the edification of all present, when they sang "All to Christ I owe." The Superintendent made a few remarks, after which the services were closed with a prayer by Mrs. Spray. The children filed into the hall and then upstairs to their sleeping rooms. We were invited into the parlor, where we spent the evening very pleasantly, conversing and singing.

The morning dawned brightly, and partaking of a good breakfast, we were ready to pay our bills, after which we visited some of the villages. It was amusing to see with what nicety and precision the ladies of our party adjusted each ribbon before entering those wigwams. Returning, we visited the school of nine girls and eighteen boys, from four to sixteen years of age. Upon being asked if they ever felt like fighting, they blushed and said it was wrong.

One of our party asked them if they had heard of Jesus, and received a quiet "Yes, sir," for an answer. The "TRAVELER" also made a good speech. Most of the school can read and write. Quite a number aspire to teach school, to make money, and do good. In their opinion, the Bible is a good book, and good children go to heaven and vice versa. Mr. Barclay Ratliff, the teacher, understands the peculiarities of his scholars, and has good control over them in every respect. In their outdoor amusements he makes himself one of them, but in the school room preserves law and order. After the usual Quaker farewell salutations, we started for our mother country, with many kindly remembrances, and hoping to meet again.

The buildings of this Agency are located on second bottom land, about one mile north of the Arkansas River, on the west bank of a small branch. Approaching from the north, the first building is the sub-Agent's, a two-story stone, occupied by Dr. Hunt and lady. The Doctor's duties are to issue the provisions to the various Indian families about once each week, and superintend their farming. The tribe is divided into different lodges, each having their chief and wigwam village. Each lodge, or collection of families, farms together, but separate from other lodges. They have 1,200 acres in cultivation, 550 of which were broken last year. They have 27 breaking plows and teams, and $1,700 of available appropriation for the year 1876. Everyone wants a team, but there is not a sufficient number of teams to cultivate the broken ground, hence some will have no corn. It looks as though the Kaws would do some good if they could have money and supervision a few years.

The broken lands are generally fenced with rails, of which they have 75,000, all split by themselves. They have a mill, and grind corn for bread. Some of the squaws have white husbands, and live in log houses. Most of the Indians are dressed in shirts, muslin pants, and moccasins, with a large blanket thrown around them, while some adopt the white man's uniform. Some speak our language, and will greet you with a "How!" if they meet you on foot anywhere near the buildings; they need no introduction. A furnishing store, council room, and blacksmith shop are also here.

The Mission comprises three stone buildings, the first being the Mission boarding house, three stories high besides the basement. It is occupied by the Superintendent, Uriah Spray, by whom the children are boarded and lodged, and called together every evening for Bible reading and worship. The second is a school room, some 30 x 40 feet, well seated.

The third building is the barn, three stories high, and built upon a side hill. The stables are in the basement, five horse stalls and ten cow troughs, where the Indian boys tie the cows every evening and milk them. There are three sheet iron lined grain bins, with a capacity of 2,000 bushels each; hay shoots and pullies for filling the mows; in fact, all the modern improvements, making the best barn I ever say.

The Mission has separate farming lands: 100 acres fenced as a pasture, besides culti-vating lands; has twenty head of cattle, and about the same of hogs.

We left the Agency at about half past 10, taking the river road. The gradually rising uplands are covered with a variety of oak timber, 12 to 24 inches in diameter, and one to three rail cuts in length. The river timber is black walnut, hickory, sycamore, ash, hackberry, and cottonwood, some of the trees being three feet in diameter. Sometimes the upland makes a near approach to the river, and presents a 150 feet perpendicular rock face, near the top of which are to be seen beautiful cedars, and underneath, the water gushing forth in the western sunlight, following its mossy, rock covered course to the river.

As the other teams drove on, our individual party, consisting of Miss B_____, Revs. Wingar and Rawson, and myself, was gradually left in the rear. Presently, we passed into a wood, through which a stream ran with steep banks on either side. We passed down the hill into a narrow channel, and turned abruptly to the right upon the sideling of the river bank. The left bolt in the spring bar being broken, and the seat not being fastened to the bed, I was in consequence thereof gently deposited head foremost into two feet of water, while Miss B____ and Rev. Rawson quickly fell into line. Bro. Wingar was lost: said he didn't know where he was. Miss B. gasped for breath, and looked as disconsolate as one well could look. Bro. Wingar had by this time found himself, and promptly came to the rescue by leading the team out of the way. Bro. Rawson now came up with the relics, and seeing the result to be only a good ducking, and that no one was hurt, his exuberant spirits found vent in a succession of shouts, in which we were disposed to join. Bro. Swarts' acute ear having caught our notes of joy, returned to learn the cause of this unseemly levity. No one knew, but our dripping garments betrayed us, and while we hung ourselves up to dry, he made a fire from the only match in the company, it, too, having shared our fate in being dipped. After administering to the wants of our inner selves, we were much refreshed, and hitching up were again on our way, passing over the timber covered upland, adapted to the pasturage of all kinds of stock.

We were soon passing along the banks of Osage Creek, which have a height of some fifteen feet until we reached the almost bankless, rock bottom ford, just below which is a fall of about six feet over and under huge rocks of several tons weight. They doubtless once formed the bed of the river, until the water moved the earth beneath, leaving them edged one upon another, forming various little lakes or pools. These, with the twenty-feet projection of the unfallen bed from several points below, present quite a novel and interesting view. We spent some time in gathering petrified moss, shells, ferns, etc.

Feeling rested, we pursued our homeward way, arriving in the evening, and feeling well paid for our time. And I wish to take this opportunity to tender my kindest regards to my acquaintances in Arkansas City for their most generous hospitality.

M. C. GREEN.

Arkansas City Traveler, May 24, 1876.

Mr. Withington says that a late census of the Kaw Indians shows but 482. In the fall of 1848 they numbered 1,534. Civilization and bad whiskey have been fatal to this once powerful and warlike tribe.

Arkansas City Traveler, June 7, 1876.

We have a bunch of wheat measuring five feet and seven inches from the Kaw Agency farm. The Indian boys helped to plant it, and will do their share of eating it when it is served up as bread.

Arkansas City Traveler, July 5, 1876.

CHANNELL & HAYWOOD were awarded the contract to supply ten plows, ten sets of harness, and other articles to the Kaw Indians.

Arkansas City Traveler, July 12, 1876.

Flood at Kaw AgencyCFourth of July With the Indians.

KAW AGENCY, July 4, 1876.

Editor Traveler: I came home from your city on the afternoon of the 28th of June, through a terrific rain, which continued in unceasing torrents until noon the next day. Beaver Creek was at high water mark at sunrise on the morning of the 29th, and by noon it was ten feet above anything ever known, sweeping fences, pig styes, chicken houses, and crops; corn five and six feet high entirely submerged. Indians and half breeds had to flee their tents and houses, the water being four feet deep on the first floors. The engine at the mill was entirely submerged, and a pig was found lodged in the forks of a tree, some ten or twelve feet from the ground, the next day after the waters had subsided, and rescued, still alive, by an Indian.

We have made no estimate of the loss to the Mission and Agency farms, nor to the loss of our Indians; neither do I suppose that your readers would be interested in such an estimateCknowing, as they generally do, the Indian's capability of making up by traffic and begging any loss he may suffer. Furthermore, it is not my object to give you a doleful picture of the damage done by the flood, so much as to inform you of the great Centennial celebration held at this place today.

In order to revive the drooping spirits of our red brethren, occasioned by their recent losses, the managers of affairs decided that we would give an issue of beef, flour, sugar, and coffee, and have a grand barbecue and feast. Accordingly, we sent out word yesterday for all to come in and celebrate the Centennial anniversary of American independence, and they came en masseCIndians, squaws, papooses, dogs, and catsCwith the stars and stripes fluttering in the breeze. Now I do not pretend to say that it was altogether an outburst of patriotism, on the part of our red brethren, to thus assemble with such enthusiasm, for it may possible be that longing appetite for roast beef had something to do with it. Be that as it may, they barbecued, roasted their beef, fried their cakes in the tallow thereof, made their coffee in a fifteen-gallon kettle, and ate to their heart's content, smoked, and ate again. Of course, ice cream, lemonade, and epicurean delicacies, were not in the bill, but the real substantials of life were in abundance. Doubtless the citizens of Philadelphia and other great cities of the States enjoyed themselves on this day, but none more so than did the Kaw Indians.

Orations were delivered by Superintendent Spray and the writer of this article, and the Kaws went home happy and contented. They were so favorably impressed with the importance of Centennial celebrations they would be perfectly willing to sacrifice whatever time and labor it might cost them to hold one every week, provided two or three good beeves, etc., could be furnished. WM. HUNT.

Arkansas City Traveler, July 26, 1876.

It was on the occasion of the Kaw pensioners receiving their pay at Hiatt's store, a few days since, that a young squaw pensioner and her husband were at the counter, trading out her pension money. Two other squaws, the wives of another Indian (we will designate them as No. 1 and No. 2), claimed that pensioner owed them, and demanded their pay, which was disregarded. Thereupon squaw No. 1 picked up a brass kettle that pensioner had bought, and walked away with it, saying she would take that for her pay; but the husband of pensioner followed, and taking hold of the kettle, a tussle ensued, during which he wrenched it from her, and she set up a yell. This created an excitement, as there were several Indians in the room, and pensioner and husband started out, she following close behind him. As he stepped out the door, squaw No. 1, with a wild scream, assaulted pensioner, catching her by the hair, and throwing her down, her head striking a block of wood. At the same time squaw No. 2 kicked her in the face. The husband turned around, and helping his wife on her feet, told her to go for them, which she did with a vengeance, grasping a stick of stove wood and at the second or third blow felling No. 1 to the floor.

By this time the excitement and confusion had become so great, and the cries and blows so general, the bystanders could not give further particulars; but Mr. Gilbert, the clerk, who had been spell bound from some cause or other, regained his self-possession, and ordered the Marshal to take them out. It may be well to add that No. 1 got the worst of the affray, as she had to be carried home in a wagon, and have her wounds dressed. For a short time fears were entertained that she would not recover, and summary punishment was threatened pensioner and her husband, by the friends of No. 1, in case she should die; but fortunately her wounds proved not fatal, and she is convalescing. Peace and good will are now restored between the families, and pensioner sits and nurses her assailant. WM. HUNT.

Arkansas City Traveler, October 11, 1876. ISH-TAH-WAU CUN-I-U-GA, the Indian name for "white man doctor" called on us last week. In short, it was Dr. Hunt.

Arkansas City Traveler, October 11, 1876. I. D. FOX & CO. sold to the Kaw Agency Indian school, Indian Territory, one of their fine ten-stop Geo. Wood & Co. organs.

Arkansas City Traveler, October 18, 1876. FREIGHTING. NEWMAN, McLAUGHLIN, and HAYWOOD have fifty teams freight-ing between this place and the Indian Agencies in the Territory. Two or three trips pays for a new Kansas wagon.

Arkansas City Traveler, November 8, 1876.

Our pressman went hunting the other night on horseback, and when within gun range of the game, he dismounted, fired, and killed a turkey. This being a new business for a man of the press, he became somewhat excited, forgot his pony, and walked into town with the turkey on his back. Next day a Kaw Indian led the deserted pony into town without a saddle and stated that it was stolen by an Osage; so he thinks he paid too dear for his whistle.

Arkansas City Traveler, November 15, 1876.

Tom Gilbert, of the Kaw Agency, went to Dexter, Kansas, last Saturday, and at night accompanied some young folks to a party. Tom had no acquaintances in the burg, and when he went to settle his hotel bill next morning, he missed his pocket book; and not until the girls whose acquaintance he had courted so earnestly the night before told the landlord that they would see the bill paid, could he get back into the nation. Indian Herald.

Arkansas City Traveler, December 6, 1876.

DR. HUNT, of Kaw Agency, and J. L. Stubbs, of Pawhuska, were in town last week for a short time.

Arkansas City Traveler, December 13, 1876.

The annual payment of the Kaw Indians was made at their Agency last week.

Arkansas City Traveler, December 20, 1876.

The half breed Kaw Indians supply most of our citizens with cord wood.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 3, 1877.

J. L. STUBBS and Miss Thompson were up from the Kaw Agency this week. J. L.'s headquarters are at Pawhuska, but he goes over to see the Kaws once in awhile.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 3, 1877.

MR. SPRAY, OF KAW AGENCY, has been suffering from pneumonia for several days past, and at one time was not expected to live. Dr. Hughes was finally sent for, and has since made two visits to the Agency, and reports Mr. Spray is now improving.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 10, 1877.

The Kaw Lands.

The following dispatch from Senator Ingalls to Judge Huffaker, is agreeable news of our Kaw Land settlers. It is assurance to them that their Representatives have not left them alone, or been as indifferent to their interests as they were led to suppose, from the turn affairs had taken. WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 12, 1876, 2:45 p.m.

T. S. HUFFAKER: The Commissioner has ordered the question to be again submitted to the Kaw Indians, at my request. JOHN J. INGALLS.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 17, 1877.

AGENT SPRAY has finally convinced a number of the Kaw Indians that it does no good to choke their best ponies to death over the graves of deceased Indians.

Arkansas City Traveler, November 21, 1877.

A Kaw Indian named Amos Doane was publicly whipped here at three o'clock this afternoon for stealing a pony belonging to Alemono, an Indian living on Beaver Creek, half a mile east of the agency. After stealing the pony, Doane took him up into Chautauqua County, Kansas, and exchanged him with a Mr. Ingalls, who lives on Caney Creek, eight miles north of Cedar Vale, for another. Circumstances seeming to point to Doane as the perpetrator of the theft, Supt. Spray caused him to be arrested on Thursday last.

Upon being accused of the robbery, the prisoner at first stoutly denied his guilt, but finally confessed to the Superintendent that he had stolen the missing animal, and had left him with Mr. Ingalls to be doctored.

A Council of the chiefs was held this forenoon, and it was decided to release Doane from custody. To this the Superintendent would not assent and announced to the chiefs his deter-mination to send the prisoner to Agent Beede for punishment.

Thereupon the chiefs reconsidered their decision, and sentenced the culprit to receive twenty lashes from a rawhide whip. To this Supt. Spray assented and measures were immediately taken to carry the sentence into effect.

The Whipping took place near the council house, and was witnessed by all the head men of the tribe and agency employees, together with many pupils of the Kaw Mission school, who were attracted thither from their play to behold the unusual spectacle. Seven braves had been appointed by the council to do the flogging. Doane was then led into the center of a circle formed by the chiefs, marshals, and braves, and the whipping began. The back of the victim was deprived of covering except a calico shirt. He received his punishment with that stoical indifference to physical pain peculiar to the red man. He exhibited no emotion as the cruel blows from the rawhide lash descended upon him, save a slight shrugging of the shoulders, at each of the lashes given by Ma-ho-jah, a strong and muscular brave. When the flogging was ended, Doane's blanket was given him and accompanied by his wife, he departed for his wickiup on Beaver Creek. It is to be hoped that this experience of Doane's will have a tendency to render pony stealing among the Kaws unfashionable.

S. T. STUBBS, Teacher.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 9, 1878.

THE Police News pictures the whipping of Doane, for pony stealing, by the Kaw Indians, in an extravagant style. The Kaws themselves are fearfully tickled over the illustration and ask many questions of it.

Arkansas City Traveler, June 12, 1878.

We have three cases of small pox here at the agency, viz: Miss Thompson, of Emporia; Mrs. Gilbert, and Miss Hunt, daughter of the Superintendent of the school. Miss Thompson was the first case. She was ill three or four days before it was decided that she had the small pox. Dr. Hunt made this decision on Friday the 17th ult., and the school was closed on the following Monday. The teacher and cook, with two sons of the doctor, established themselves in a small cabin on Beaver Creek, while the Superintendent of school, Martin, and Laundress took refuge in the mill. It is pretty certain that the disease will spread among the Indians, as a number of them have already been exposed to this much dreaded scourge.

Very Respectfully, URIAH SPRAY.

Arkansas City Traveler, June 19, 1878.

Mr. Spray, of Kaw Agency, was in town last Saturday, and from him we learn that the parties who were afflicted with the above disease have nearly recovered, but that four Indians were unexpectedly exposed to it last week. Every precaution had been taken to keep the Indians away from the house where the sick persons were, and not one had been exposed until one day last week, when two young fellows walked up to a pile of clothes just thrown upon the porch. It was the intention to bury the clothing, and one of the nurses was going out to gather them up, but the Indians got there first, and were turning them over, probably in search of something they could use. Two others walked into the sick room before they were noticed, though the entire tribe had been repeatedly warned against approaching the house. The parties in authority have done everything in their power to prevent such an unfortunate occurrence, and very much regret that it happened. While we hope for better news, we cannot ignore the fact that, if this loathsome disease breaks out among the Indians, the consequences will be alarming, for it is utterly impossible to keep them upon their reservation. The plague may spread among the Kaws, Osages, Poncas, and Pawnees, and many members of these tribes frequent the border towns of this State for a distance of one hundred and fifty miles.

Arkansas City Traveler, October 2, 1878. Mr. Mahlon Stubbs, of Emporia, will take charge of the Kaw Indians, vice Uriah Spray, resigned. Mr. Stubbs was formerly agent of this tribe, and is a general favorite among the Indians. He has many friends on the border who will be glad to hear that he is again in this part of the country.

Arkansas City Traveler, October 31, 1878. None of the Osages, Pawnees, or Kaws hunted the buffalo this fall. The game was too far distantCbeing two hundred miles away.

Arkansas City Traveler, October 31, 1878.

WASHUNGA is now chief of the Kaws. He was elected chief by the vote of the tribe. "Eagle Plume," formerly chief of the Kaws, died after his return from Washington last March. He made quite a reputation in the East last summer making speeches.

Arkansas City Traveler, October 31, 1878.

The Kaw Indians are poor, and have neither ponies or cattle to sell. All heads of families were supplied with milch cows, by the Government, and not permitted to sell them, but in many cases they killed them for beef.

Winfield Courier, March 25, 1880.

The COURIER received a call from Big Joe and lady, and Little Bear and lady, of the Kaw persuasion, accompanied by a papoose or two, last Monday. They came in to inquire into the intricate workings of our Campbell press, and solemnly affirmed that it was the finest press they had ever seen.

Arkansas City Traveler, June 23, 1880. A rather neat trick was attempted on Mr. Stubbs, agent of the Kaw Indians, recently; but friend Mahlon proved himself too old a bird to be caught by such chaff. A stranger rode up to him one morning and inquired if there were any stray horses on his reservation, and if so, would he please give a description of the same? Mr. Stubbs answered by inquiring if the anxious searcher had lost any horses, to which the stranger replied in the negative, stating that he was out in the interest of parties in the State who had been victimized, and wanted to see if Mr. Stubbs' description would answer to any of those held by him. A very pointed request to make himself scarce was the only satisfaction the would-be sharper obtained, Mr. Stubbs realizing at once that the game was to ascertain just what animals were on the reservation, when some confederates would be furnished with the necessary information, and after the horses were obtained, they would "whack up." It might be well to keep a look-out for such fellows.

Winfield Courant, June 1, 1882.

Another lot of Kaw Indians were on our streets last week, and as we stood and gazed at them, as they passed from one business house to another, we were led to inquire: "Man, what art thou? from whence came you? and whither art thou going."

Arkansas City Traveler, August 8, 1883.

Last week was consummated the final arrangements between the Kaw tribe of Indians and our townsman, T. J. Gilbert, by which the latter gentleman becomes the lessee for ten years of one-half of the Kaw Reservation, a tract of land embracing some 50,000 acres of fine grazing land. This will be of great benefit to the Indians as they will now realize a rental of about $2,100 per year whereas heretofore they have not realized over $300 per year from this land. The other half of their reservation will be fenced in and used by the tribe as a stock range. At the meeting of the council of the tribe to take action on this matter, the following was submitted, which will explain itself.

AOur reasons for asking that this lease be made are: 1st, we do not or cannot occupy it or cultivate it; 2nd, it will effectually keep out objectionable persons who would otherwise occupy it; 3rd, we will thereby receive the greatest possible remuneration for use of said tract of land.@

Winfield Courier, January 24, 1884.

A sad and touching story comes to us from Kaw Agency. A guileless red son of the forest whose early education in the intricate sciences seems to have been somewhat neglected, found a nitro-glycerine cartridge, and of course thought it was something to eat. One of the peculiarities of the noble Indian is that when he finds a thing and does not know what to do with it, he invariably classifies it with his alphabetical list of foods, and entombs it in his always hungry midst. This Indian made a fair average lunch from the tenderest end of the cartridge, smacked his lips in satisfaction, and returned to his tepee and retired to rest. During the night his wife yelled to him to Alie over,@ and at the same time dug her elbow into his abdomen with wifely vigor. He obeyed. He laid over a considerable portion of the adjacent real estate, while here and there portions of his once proud frame could be seen dangling from the limbs of trees in the soft moonlight. His wife hasn=t been heard of since. The story is a sad one, and should teach the untutored red children to always investigate before they bite into a substance with which they are not personally acquainted.

Winfield Courier, July 3, 1884.

Mr. D. D. Keeler, of Kaw Agency, was in the city last Wednesday. He reports the Kaw school progressing finely. The Kaws have strict compulsory laws, which exclude an entire family from annuity benefits if any children of such family, between the ages of 7 and 16, are withheld from school. This law works most satisfactorily, with a few exceptions, keeping all children of the prescribed age in school.

Winfield Courier, August 7, 1884.

Gilbert, Newman, and Hallowell contracted 1,000 head of cattle of Mackay, of Texas, to be delivered on their range on the Kaw Indian Reserve. The rivers were high all summer on the way up and the Arkansas River has been bank full for two months. Mackay got here and waited two weeks to cross the cattle and finally drove them over the bridge and through the state. In the settlement he claimed $900 for extra mileage and expenses. Hallowell refused to pay it and Mackay fired at him with a Winchester rifle. Hallowell returned the fire and 20 shots were exchanged before Mackay rode off. Mackay has been arrested. Driving the Texas cattle through the state has caused considerable alarm for fear of domestic cattle taking the Texas fever.

Arkansas City Republican, April 4, 1885.

State News. The Kaw or Kansa tribe of Indians, for whom the state Kansas was named, is now reduced to 250 persons, who are absolutely destitute.