About 1790 the Kiowa made permanent peace with the Comanche. In 1840 the Kiowa made permanent peace with the Cheyennes and their allies, the Arapaho.

The first Wichita Agency was located north of the Washita on Leeper Creek, about four miles east of the present town of Fort Cobb in Caddo County, near which the new military post of Fort Cobb was established by the War Department in October, 1859, and was occu-pied by Caddo Indians and their allies, the Anadarko and Hainai. A treaty was signed by Principal Chief Quinahiwi and subchiefs of the Caddo with Albert Pike, commissioner of the Confederate States at Wichita Agency. Some of the Caddo were said to have had a part with other Indian bands in the destruction of the Wichita Agency in October, 1862, and in the massacre of the Tonkawa Indians.

Soon after Wichita Agency and Fort Cobb fell into the hands of the Confederates, Albert Pike secured two peace treaties with the Indians at the Wichita Agency in August, 1861, in which all the leading Comanche bands were represented with the exception of the Quahadi. The effects of the war led the Comanche and other tribes into widespread disturbances and depredations along the Santa Fe Trail and elsewhere in the West in 1864.

A peace treaty was drawn by United States commissioners, among whom was Kit Carson, October 1865, at the mouth of the Little Arkansas River in Kansas. The Kiowa and Comanche were granted Aundisturbed use and occupation@ of the country extending east from the eastern boundary of New Mexico to the ninety-eighth meridian, covering present western Oklahoma from the Red River north to the Cimarron. The Government failed to carry out terms of the treaty.

Peace Commission negotiated a treaty October, 1867, with leaders of the Kiowa, Kiowa-

Apache, Comanche, Cheyenne, and Arapaho in council on the Medicine Lodge River, in Kansas, providing a reservation, lying west from the ninety-eighth meridian, between the Washita on the north and the Red River and its North Fork on the southCclose to Fort Sill.

Colonel J. H. Leavenworth was appointed agent for the Kiowa and Comanche, establishing his agency near Fort Cobb, in present Caddo County, Oklahoma.

Headquarters Department of the Missouri, in the field, Ft. Hays, November 16, 1868.

The District of the Indian Territory is an old District, having in it the posts of Forts Gibson and Arbuckle, under the command of Major Gen. Grierson, Col. 10th Cavalry. This district has in it all the semi-civilized bands of Indians, the principal tribes being Cherokees, Chickasaws, Choctaws, and Osages. It also contains the new reservations of the Kiowas, Comanches, Arapahos, and Cheyennes. A portion of the Kiowas and Comanches visited Fort Cobb early last spring, the point designated for their agent to reside at, apparently for the purpose of obtaining their annuities and other supplies. The Indian Department having failed to purchase the supplies, they fell out with the agent, drove him off, destroyed the agency building, and came up to their old haunts on the Arkansas, threatening war if their demands were not complied with. Troops were sent two or three times to Cobb, on requisition of the agent, constantly in trouble, either through his own fault or that of his IndiansCmost probably the latter, as they told me they did not like him, but wanted Mr. Tappan, the Indian trader at Larned, to be their agent, and that they put a halter about his neck and had him led out on the prairie, and that if they had anymore bad agents, they would hang them. . . .

The Indians went on the warpath during late spring and summer 1868. Some hostile Comanche made an attack on the Wichita Agency and threatened trouble in the western part of the Chicakasaw Nation.

In autumn 1868 many Indian war parties brought their families and established villages on the Washita River near friendly bands who had had no part in the summer raiding. The government sent the largest United States military expedition ever seen in western Indian Territory under command of General Phillip H. Sheridan in a winter campaign. On November 27, 1868, during a heavy blizzard, the Cheyenne chief, Black Kettle, was attacked and his band annihilated by Col. George A. Custer=s soldiers.

After the Battle of the Washita, the Comanche and the Kiowa began setting up their tipi villages on the reservation in the vicinity of Fort Sill.

The first Kiowa-Comanche agent from the Indian Office was a Quaker, Lawrie Tatum, who began his duties with a staff of Quaker assistants at the Kiowa-Comanche Agency at Fort Sill in 1869. The first teacher of the Kiowa was Thomas C. Battey, also a Quaker, who began his school in 1873.

Comanche took part in the attack on the second Wichita Agency at Anadarko in 1874; and were in the attacking parties in the Adobe Walls (July, 1874) and the Buffalo Wallow (September, 1874) fights in Texas. Military force brought about the final capitulation of the hostile Indians.

In 1879, the Kiowa-Comanche Agency was moved from Fort Sill and consolidated with the Wichita Agency at Anadarko. The Kiowa-Apache also came under this jurisdiction.

---

Emporia News, September 10, 1869.

KIOWA AND COMANCHE AGENCY, NEAR FORT SILL, 8th Mo., 23rd, 1869.

Respected Friend, Jacob Stotler: I arrived here eight days ago, after a rather tedious journey. Just after getting into the northern part of this Territory, we crossed Salt Fork, which is quite a wide stream, with a very sandy bottom; but when we crossed it, the water was low. The water is said to be quite salty. After traveling ten miles we crossed a small creek called Shawnee, and sixteen miles further on we came to Shelton [Skeleton] Creek, where a number of Shawnees had died with the cholera two years ago. From there to Read Fork we crossed some small streams and passed about twenty-three hundred head of Texas cattle. While we were stopping near the drovers, they caught a grey wolf with a lasso and brought it into camp. It is about sixty miles from Salt Fork to Read Fork. We tasted the water of Read Fork and found it to be quite salty. The Texas cattle trail comes in on the north side of Read Fork, and from here to Washita the Texas cattle have been driven along the road that is traveled by the trains hauling goods and provisions to this place and Fort Arbuckle. Some of them have been heavy losers by the Texas fever getting among their oxen. In one case, nearly all the oxen in the train, about one hundred and fifty head, died, and the teamsters had to get the mule teams from the Fort to haul their goods the rest of the way. From Read Fork to North Canadian, it is thirty-two miles. The latter stream is about four rods wide. The country from the south line of Kansas to the North Canadian, I think, is rather poor; but from this point south, through the Canadian bottoms, and also the Washita, the land is pretty good. I think, notwithstanding, we might let the Indians have the country if we can get them to settle down here and be contented.

A new post has lately been established here, which is called Fort Sill, about thirty miles from Texas, near the Wichita Mountains, and ten miles east of a point called Mt. Scott. There are several sutler stores at Fort Sill. General Grierson has a pretty good house, but most of the buildings are poles about ten feet in length, set in the ground and covered with dirt. There are also many living in tents. There is said to be about four hundred colored soldiers here. The tents make quite a show on the banks of Medicine Bluff Creek. They are on a raise of about sixty feet above the creek bottom on nicely rolling ground. Most of the Comanche IndiansCnearly 2,500Chave come in, and appear inclined to settle down and be peaceable with the whites. Their principal chiefs, Asahava, and Tosa, say that they are going to travel the white man=s road. Asahava has been a great war chief and has fought the whites; but he has changed his course, appears well inclined, and tells the Kiowas, who appear not so well inclined, that he will take sides with the whites against them if they should be hostile. They all know he is a brave man and warrior. We feel hopeful that by judicious management and care, there will not be much more hostility towards the whites. It is, however, a very critical time, and we much desire wisdom from above to enable us to act in such a way as to promote glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good will to all men. I have often felt a desire to use my little influence in obliterating all hostile feelings both among whites and Indians, and encouraging a feeling of charity amongst all. I hope we will all bear in mind that like begets like, and therefore if we act harshly toward the Indians, they will in like manner act harshly towards us. On the contrary, if we act kindly and respectfully towards them, it will encourage the same feeling and action towards us.

The Kiowas, numbering nearly 2,000, are somewhat inclined to commit depredations in Texas, as there have existed, for several years, hostile feelings between them and the settlers. But we are hopeful of getting these troubles settled.

The agent at this place is our friend Lowry Tatum, of Iowa, who superseded Col. A. G. Brown, late of Colorado, who has exerted great influence amongst the Indians of the Plains. He still remains here as a clerk in one of the stores.

Agent Tatum has gained the respect and esteem of all whom I hear speak of him. The General in charge of this post has great confidence in the agent=s ability, and Gen. Grierson is equally appreciated. I have mingled with them both and think they are just the men for their respective posts.

The President=s Commission has lately been here, and also our friends, John Butler and Achilles Pugh. They all had a satisfactory council with the Indians. The agent accompanied our friends, who expected to go directly to Emporia, and from there to Topeka and Lawrence. The agent is going directly to Iowa Yearly Meeting, where he will meet with many of his friends, from whom he is desirous of selecting suitable persons to come with him to this place to instruct the Indians in farming, school learning, etc. I am expected to remain here during his absence.

Our dear friend, Brinton Darlington, late of Muscatine, Iowa, has gone to Camp Supply, in order to be amongst the Indians that he is agent for, viz: Cheyennes and Arapahos. These tribes are the most difficult to manage, but we think we have a very suitable Friend for their agent, and believe that he will be able, with Divine help, to control them, and thus get them to abandon their roving and warlike habits and settle on their reservation, which will probably be on the Canadian River, west of the road leading from here to Harker. Our friends and the Commission had a pretty satisfactory visit with the last named tribe. There is one thing that is giving great dissatisfaction amongst the IndiansCthe stopping of their rations of sugar and coffeeCbut the Commission thinks some satisfactory change may be made. We feel very desirous of suppressing, as much as possible, all hostile feeling, and thus save life and money. Fighting the Indians is found to be very expensive, and causes much suffering to our soldiers and often to others. Very respectfully, THOMAS H. STANLEY.

Walnut Valley Times, May 27, 1870. Front Page.

A dispatch from the Chicago Republican=s correspondent in the Indian Territory, dated April 29th, states that a few days previously, 127 government mules, captured by horse thieves from a train camped at Bluff Creek, Kansas, were retaken in Texas by an officer from Fort Arbuckle, Indian Territory. The officer and two citizens, by remarkable coolness and daring, captured nine of the thieves and killed one. The event created much excitement. The mules were taken to Fort Arbuckle. The commanding officer there at once started the horse thieves for Kansas, in charge of a detachment from the Tenth (colored) Cavalry. The thieves attempted to escape, and five of the nine were shot without unnecessary ceremony. They received Christian burial at Fort Arbuckle.

Another dispatch, from the same source, dated May 4th, says that the Comanches and Kiowas are very much angered at the alleged unequal distribution of rations and annuity goods by the Quaker agent, Friend Tatum, and have left the neighborhood of Fort Sill in high dudgeon. They were warned not to go beyond the limits of their reservation, and were told that if they did, the militia would pursue and force them back. They laughed the threat to scorn and have gone, the last one of them. War is anticipated. Old Col. Boone, for fifty years a frontiersman, says they mean fight, and declared he would not go the direct overland route to Fort Harker, Kansas, for the sum of $50,000, unless protected by a large military escort.

Walnut Valley Times, September 9, 1870. Front Page.

[Correspondence of the Times.]

INDIANS! INDIANS! INDIANS!

MR. EDITOR: Having lived on the northwestern frontier of Texas for upwards of four years, and having had considerable experience of Indian depredations, also being fully satisfied that the majority of the northern people do not receive true reports of the Indian raids into Texas, their depredations in stealing horses, killing people, and capturing women and children, I will attempt to give you a short sketch of the last raid of the savages into Texas.

On July 10th a party of about seventy-five Indians at about 2 o'clock made their appearance at Victoria Peak, in Montague County, 10 miles west of Montague town, where there were several families living, and a large ranch for herding cattle. But few men were there at the time. Nearly all the men belonging to the ranch were out herding cattle. The Indians first attacked the herders of about two thousand head of cattle, stampeding the cattle, and capturing Martin Boone Kilgore, a boy of 12 years of age. They then came within thirty yards of the houses and captured 37 head of horses.

While a portion of them drove the horses off, the balance fired and charged the houses for two hours trying to capture the women and children. While this was going on, another party were breaking open trunks in a wagon belonging to Baker & Vaughn, drovers from Pilo Pinto county, on their way to Kansas.

Mr. Kilgore's house was robbed of seven hundred and seventy-five dollars in greenbacks; also a large quantity of provisions; furniture demolished, and house set on fireCdamaging Mr. Kilgore to the amount of $3,500. They killed several cattle, and cut the hamstrings of four oxen that were attached to a load of wood nearby.

After leaving V. Peech, about one and a half miles, they killed, scalped, and robbed Mr. Adams and Mr. Livis, drovers from Pilo Pinto county, cutting their hearts out, and otherwise horribly mangling their bodies.

We next hear from this same band early next morning 25 miles northwest at Henrietta, Clay County, where they killed Gadlief Koozer, in front of his door; scalped and cut his body horribly. Captured and carried off his wife and five childrenCthree boys and two girls. The oldest girl seventeen years of age; the youngest boy seven years old.

On the 12th instant, Capt. McClellen, of the 6th U. S. Cavalry, while out scouting thirty miles west of Fort Richardson, in Jack County, with sixty men, came upon this same band, which had been reinforced to the number of three hundred. Notwithstanding their superior numbers, the brave McClellen gave them battle; but they were too strong for him, and he was obliged to withdraw. The troops killed one Indian and wounded five, so the Indians tell here. McClellen had two soldiers killed and nine wounded. The Indians were armed with Spencer rifles, and needle guns, bows and arrows.

Still keeping on their course into the settlements, on the 14th they made their appearance in Wire County, about five miles from Decatur, where they killed and scalped Nicholas Dawson. On the morning of the 16th, as they were leaving Wire County, going north with 99 head of horses, they were espied and followed by a party of cattle men, led by Robert Stephens, Perry Cook, and others, who charged them, wounding several, and recapturing the 99 head of horses.

Many families moved into the town of Montague from the country, and are making preparations for the security of the women and children.

On word being sent to Fort Richards, Gen. Oaks, commanding the post, immediately sent the small but gallant Capt. Mauck with twenty men to our relief, as we expected the town to be attacked at any moment.

After waiting several days for the excitement to abate, on the morning of the 25th of July, myself, Perry Cook, Samuel Kilgore (father of the boy captured at the Peak), Edward KoozerCa boy of fourteen years, who made his escape by hiding in the brush on the morning of the murder of his fatherCleft for Fort Sill, riding the distance of 90 miles in the night, as we deemed it more safe from Indians than daylight, hoping we might get back the women and children, or at least hearing something from them.

On arriving at Fort Sill, we called on our friend, L. Tatum, Quaker, U. S. Indian Agent, who received us very kindly, and seemed to feel much sympathy. We next called on Gen. Grierson, Commander at Fort Sill, who received us very cordially, and said he would do all in his power to help us in this sad affair, giving us permits to remain ten days longer if we wished, furnishing us rations, and voluntarily offering us an escort on our return. Gen. Grierson told us that the Indians about two months ago stole seventy-three head of Government mules out of his corral, and had killed five men in the immediate vicinityCone

at the Indian agency, one at Shiley's mill, one at the Gov. Slaughter house, one cattle herder, and two men camped within two miles of the FortCthen all left on the warpath except a few old men and squaws. Said he had heard from them lately, and they wanted to come in and make peace. He stated that he sent them word they could do so, but did not tell them on what terms. He told us he expected some in daily, when no doubt we would get news of the captives. The next day there was a party of 40 or 50, who pretended they had not been on the warpath, who came in and said that the warriors were in camp about fifty miles from Fort Sill, and they had the Kilgore boy and the Koozer family. Agent Tatum issued them some rations. General Grierson told them to tell the others to come in and bring the mules that were stolen, and the women and children they held as captives, and make peace, and all would be right.

We waited patiently, hearing nothing more definite until Saturday evening, August 6, when nearly 200 of the leading chiefs and representatives of the Kiowa, Comanche, Cheyennes, and Apache tribes arrived, saying they had come to make peace; consequently a council was arranged for Sunday morning between the Indian Agent Tatum and General Grierson.

The hour having arrived, our little Texas party repaired to the Indian Commissary, where we found the Council in session, Gen. Grierson and Agent Tatum occupying chairs on the north side of the building, the Indians sitting in front on the floor.

The Indians said they would hear from the war chief first. Gen. Grierson, in quite a lengthy speech, welcomed the savages back to Sill, and hoped they had come with their hearts full of peace. He was glad to see them, etc. Agent Tatum followed in a short, pointed speech, to which the Indians responded with a long grunt. Then the chiefs by turns made speeches, telling how good they were going to be (at any rate until they got their grub), and that it was not the old ones, but the young warriors who had been depredating, and they could not control them, but had now promised to be peaceable. They wished to know on what terms Gen. Grierson would receive them. The General, in somewhat of a spirited speech, told them they must bring in the balance of the mules (they only bringing in 25 head) and also the captives, seven in all, before he would receive them or issue them rations.

About half the Indians left the house, and all seemed more or less angry. This broke up the council, but a few of the chiefs agreed to give an answer in the morning.

The next day we went to the council, found plenty of Indians there, but no General or

council. But we did find Agent Tatum there, issuing ten days' rations to all the tribes left behind. At the sight of this our hearts leaped for joy, as we supposed the Indians had agreed to bring in the captives. But alas! We were sadly disappointed, for we were told the Indians would not give them up without pay, and General Grierson refused on the ground that there were no appropriations made for that purpose. We proposed to pay for them ourselves, but were told by General Grierson that we must not do it. Agent Tatum told us that as soon as he issued rations, General Grierson would arrest seven of the leading men, and hold them as hostages for the captives.

In the council a young Kiowa Chief named White Horse came up in front of General Grierson and acknowledged that he was the man who killed the men around the Post, and led the party into Texas, who murdered Koozer, and took the women and children. Another came forward and said he was the man who had killed the stage driver, Frank Taylor, and destroyed the mail of B. F. Fickling's overland route between Fort Smith and New Mexico, about twenty miles west of Ft. Richardson, about four weeks since.

We learned a few days since that the next day after we left Texas, the Indians killed three, and scalped two negroes one mile from Victoria Peak. The negroes were with a two horse wagon, going after a load of furniture for the widow Green, who had moved to town a few days previous.

When, I ask, will Government do something for the protection of those frontier people? Do you think if we should send a delegation of Texans of the larger losers of horses to Washington, they would fare as well as Red Cloud, and get 17 head of good horses? A good many of the Texas men have lost six and seven hundred head of horses by the Indians.

After the Indians received all the rations, they commenced leaving. Under the hill, near the General's house, Agent Tatum and General Grierson had a talk with some of the Chiefs. We were not allowed to hear their conversation, and all the Indians were permitted to leave without one being arrested. We again called on Gen. Grierson, and he told us the Indians had promised, and he thought he could coax them to bring the women and children in two or three weeks.

And thus it stands. You can judge of our saddened hearts as we leave tomorrow on the lone ninety miles of prairie route (not a house to be seen) for Texas, to carry the sad news to the loved ones at home that their son, brothers, and sisters are yet at the mercy of those red savages, encamped near the east end of the Wichita Mountains, while here at Fort Sill there are six companies of U. S. Cavalry, and four companies of U. S. infantry, and they cannot do anything for those poor women and children for fear of making the Indians MAD. I would here state that we are under many obligations to Commanding General Agent Tatum and Mr. Tierse for their kindness towards us during our stay here, and also to our old friend, Wm. Mathewson, for his kindness in furnishing us good, comfortable quarters at his store near the Agency, and the many Indian tales he has told us while here, as he has been in the Indian country seventeen years. He is formerly from the State of New York. Yours. More anon.

J. H. SCRIBNER.

Emporia News, January 20, 1871. Enoch Hoag, superintendent of Indian affairs, advertises in this paper for proposals for the transportation of government stores from Emporia and Fort Harker, Kansas, to Fort Sill, Indian Territory. Upwards of three hundred tons are to be delivered in each of the five succeeding months. See advertisement.

PROPOSALS

WILL be received at the office of the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Lawrence, for the transportation of Government stores from Emporia and Fort Harker, Kansas, to the Cheyenne, Wichita, and Kiowa Indian Agencies, over the most direct road from the town of Wichita, Kansas, to Fort Sill, Indian Territory. Amount of freight, three hundred tons and upwards, to be delivered in good condition, at said Agencies, in nearly equal amounts, each, for the five succeeding months. Proposals to state amount per hundred pounds per hundred miles. ENOCH HOAG, Sup=t Indian Affairs.

Emporia News, April 21, 1871.

Our old friend, Moses Neal, of Humboldt, has been spending most of his time here for some weeks. He has the contract for delivering Indian supplies for the Government at Fort Sill, and is having them brought here over the A. T. & S. F. railroad. He has already sent down 100,000 lbs. of freight, and will load another 100,000 lbs. tomorrow; 150,000 more will be loaded about the first of next month. Mr. Neal is one of the old settlers of Kansas, and we hope he will make a good thing on this contract. He has had much trouble in getting teams to haul the goods to Fort Sill.

Emporia News, May 5, 1871. A train of wagons and oxen arrived here Friday morning to be loaded for Fort Sill, Washita, and other points, with goods for the Indians. The train consisted of some twenty-five wagons and three hundred and fifty cattle. They belong to Bernard, Irwin & Co., of Westport, and are under the charge of Mr. Irwin. This firm have a contract to take to the Indian country, from this place, 500,000 lbs. of freight. Over 1,000,000 lbs. of Indian goods have already been delivered here destined for the Indian country. the purchase of outfits here will be quite a little item for our businessmen.

Emporia News, May 12, 1871.

EDITOR NEWS: About one week since, a strong working force started from this point for Fort Sill, accompanying a train sent out by Neal & Co., of Humboldt, to the Cheyenne and Wichita Agencies. Col. O. P. Johnson commands the party. The object is to completely open a road to a point near the crossing of Red Fork, just above where the AJackson Trail@ diverges. This will give us an air line to Fort Sill, through a most magnificent country, and over a road made as perfect as a strong working force can make it in one season.

We have an excellent ferry at this point. Only 50 cents ferriage across the Arkansas, and freighters from Emporia will save 50 to 75 miles by taking this instead of the Wichita route.

Very respectively, H. B. NORTON.

Emporia News, June 23, 1871. GALVESTON, Texas, June 19. L. F. Friend, agent Kiowa Indians, writes a letter to Governor Davis, of this state, saying it is evident that during the coming summer there will be witnessed the most extensive ravages of frontier Texas. Almost all Indians of this agency and Cheyennes have left, and are now on the warpath. We learn from Indians coming in frequently that the Comanches are also alive, and the plains are black with Apaches. Increasing depredations corroborate their reports. Apaches have been coming from the Colorado and further south, and it is most likely depredations committed on the far south were by them. We learn also that their rendezvous west of reservation is what is called Rum Island, Texas, where traders from New Mexico meet Indians and furnish them arms and ammunition in exchange for horses and cattle.

In an interview between Gens. Sherman, Marcy, Grierson, and agent at the Tatum reservation, it was shown to be an indisputable fact that Indians belonging to that reservation are hostile to the whites, and on the warpath. Gen. Sherman said that Indians having so frequently broken their treaties should be declared outlaws, and the government should cease to care for them, but sequestrate their lands and punish them as their enormities deserve, and that he should so recommend.

Emporia News, July 28, 1871. TELEGRAPH NEWS.

WASHINGTON, July 2. A letter from Fort Sill says that Kiowa Indians have made efforts to induce the Cheyennes and Sioux to join them in a war against the whites, but thus far they have failed.

Emporia News, August 18, 1871.

Arkansas City, says the Traveler, is to become the headquarters of the southwestern transportation. All goods for Fort Sill and the agencies will henceforth be carried in two-horse wagons hither from Thayer, and stored in a warehouse; and will thence be re-shipped on Abull-trains.@ All the hands will be paid off here.

As we predicted, Arkansas City is to be the big town of the border. Immense quantities of freight for the Territory are now passing through, and still greater quantities are yet to come

Emporia News, September 15, 1871. The contract for the transportation of government stores to posts in the Indian Territory was let at Fort Leavenworth on the 18th, to Graham & Co., of the M. K. & T. road, at the following figures: Leavenworth to Fort Sill, $4.10 per hundred; St. Louis to Fort Sill, $4.15 per hundred.

Emporia News, September 22, 1871.

A train of forty-six Government wagons passed through Arkansas City last Wednesday.

Winfield Messenger, July 12, 1872. An Indian raid was made upon Sewell ranch, twenty-five miles below Caldwell, one day last week. Sewell=s ranch is on Pond Creek, where the Osages sometimes come to trade. There were five hundred Osages there on business, when thirty Kiowas rode into the corral and ran off Sewell=s stock, killing Tommy Best, the herder. The Osages went out and met them, and tried to persuade them to return the stock, but Ano come goodie.@ Instead, they said they would run off stock from and kill every white man in that section of the country. They wanted it distinctly understood that they were on the Awar path@ just as long as grass was good and they did not need government feed. The next day after the above narrative, they went for a party of Mexicans returning to Texas, had a fight with them, and finally got away with all their stock, but without killing anyone. We leave comment for our readers, tired of it ourselves. Wichita Eagle.

Walnut Valley Times, December 19, 1873. Front Page.

[From the St. Louis Globe.]

A most horrible outrage occurred near Camp Supply, about sixty miles from Fort Dodge, one day last week, that for brutality and cruelty has not been equalled since the days of Crawford and the early Indian troubles. The perpetrators, of the fiendish act, were Kiowas, who, for some time past, have been causing considerable trouble in and around their reservation.

It seems that a party of English tourists arrived at Camp Supply a few days ago for the purpose of engaging in a buffalo hunt. At Camp Supply they purchased a complete outfit necessary to carry on the hunt for several days, and hired a wagon and team, with a boy about seventeen years old as driver. After being out several days, their provisions gave out and they dispatched the boy and team back to town for another supply, expecting he would easily make the trip in three or four days, at the furthest, the distance being about thirty miles. The allotted time passed, and a day longer, when the hunters, becoming uneasy at his extended absence, started back for Camp Supply. Here nothing had been seen or heard of him, since the departure of the party.

A party of hunters and scouts were immediately organized and sent out in search of him, taking the trail towards the hunting grounds. The second day out they suddenly came upon the boy. He had been captured by a band of Kiowas, the wagon taken apart and piled in a heap, the boy tied to a stake, and, probably, burned alive. He had also been scalped by the brutal cowards, and his charred remains left on the ground, with all the proof of how the devilish act had been committed. The horses, of course, were stolen.

The excitement in and around Fort Dodge is intense, and the old hunters and trappers in that vicinity vow that if the Government does not inflict summary punishment upon the incarnate fiends, they will take the matter into their own hands and commence a war of extermination.

Colonel Bristol, in command at the Fort, says he has the Fifth Infantry and two companies of cavalry in readiness and is only awaiting orders from the War Department. The Kiowas have about two thousand warriors on their reservation.

Winfield Courier, February 20, 1874. Every farmer in Cowley County should take the COURIER. Many times one copy will pay, and more than pay, the price of subscription. For instance, the following item will pay any man who has corn to sell.

The Government has contracted for two million pounds of corn to be delivered at Fort Dodge and as much more at Fort Sill, and other places in the Indian Territory, and Colorado. This is bound to make corn higher. No doubt it will be 75 cents per bushel before midsummer. Those who have corn to sell, or buy either (for it affects both alike only in opposite pockets) should know this and govern themselves accordingly.

[See Wichita Indians for attack by Kiowa and Comanche Indians August 1874.]

From a Wichita Beacon extra, August 28th, the Winfield Courier edition of September 4, 1874, reported that an attack had been made on the Wichita Indians and about the same time, the Kiowa and Comanche Indians attacked Ft. Sill, but were repulsed.

The Beacon extra also reported that O. F. Short, who did the government surveying in Cowley County, was killed by the Indians last week while he and a party of men were doing government surveying in Kansas southwest of Fort Dodge The Indians killed and scalped Short and five of his party, subsequently found and buried by another surveying party.

Winfield Courier, September 18, 1874.

De Bois' surveying party left Wichita yesterday en route for the Indian Territory. Their work lies southwest of Ft. Sill. Several citizens of this county go with them, among whom is Tell Walton, taking the chances on losing their scalps for forty dollars per month.

Winfield Courier, October 29, 1874.

FT. SILL, INDIAN TERRITORY, Oct. 21st, 1874.

DEAR BECKETT: After a long and tedious trip our party arrived here last night.

We saw plenty of Indians at a distance but lost no scalps however, and in consequence the Cowley boys are in good spirits. Part of our outfit leave for the "field" today. Gen. Sheridan arrived here last Saturday and took command of the forces and immediately dispatched nine companies to reinforce Gen. Miles on the Staked Plains. A lively time may now be anticipated.

Satanta, Big Tree, Lone Wolf, and ten or twelve other chiefs are here in the guard house, all heavily ironed. Kicking Bird, chief of the Kiowas, also wears the same kind of "jewels."

This is a beautiful country, well timbered, plenty of water, and an abundance of stone. The Wichita Mountain range, fifteen miles wide by fifty in length, a very rough broken plateau, treads in a northwesterly direction from here. From the U. S. Signal station on their summit, a distance of sixty miles can be seen in any direction.

We are all well armed with Remington rifles, but since Sheridan's appearance at the front, we apprehend no immediate danger from the Indians.

When we reach the field of work, I may write to you again; till then, I am

Very Respectfully, TELL W. WALTON.

Winfield Courier, November 19, 1874.

Correspondence.

ED. COURIER: Thinking a few words from this post might be of some interest to your readers, I thought I would write a little in regard to matters in general on this part of the frontier. The health of the party is good. There are twenty-six men of us in all. We are running west on latitude 35 north, and expect to run west to the Pan Handle if we are not molested by the Indians. We have had no trouble with them yet and see but few. The Kiowas and Comanches are all out on the warpath, with the exception of a part of Kicking Bird's band (Kiowas) which are at their agency and continue to draw rations.

General Davidson has about 170 of the "noble red men" under heavy guard at the post, Big Tree, Santanta, and White Horse among them, with about 1,400 ponies; the ponies are being shot according to orders at the rate of one hundred per day. General Davidson is out with an expedition against the Indians and on the 29th of October captured about 75 warriors, 100 squaws, and papooses, and 500 ponies.

I saw a scout on the 30th ult., just from the command. He said the expedition was within two day's ride of 1,800 warriors, which they expected to take or kill at all hazards. Sheridan left this post on the 25th of last month for Camp Supply. He says the government has fooled with the Indians long enough, that he will make the white man and his property safe in this country, if he is let alone.

Nearly every stage ranche between this post and the Kansas line has been burned, and the occupants killed or run off. A greater part of the stock taken from the Indians rightfully belongs to Texans, as the Indians have been in the habit of raiding into Texas, and stealing stock for years, and the owners dare not follow them further than Red River, the boundary line between Texas and the Comanche and Kiowa reservations; if they did, the Peace Policy interferred, smoothed it over for poor Lo, and say they don't believe the Indians will steal, and the same Indians drawing rations of the government twice a month.

How do the taxpayers that are a little tender-footed on the Indian question, like such proceedings. The two tribes above named have one of the best and largest reservations in the Indian Territory; plenty of good land for farming purposes; good water; plenty of timber; a much better chance to make a living than the average Southern Kansas settler; no taxes to pay; a good school at the Post for all that choose to go.

It is high time that they be compelled to come in on their reservations and stay there. Some will say that they don't know how to farm it. The trouble is they don't want to know. Their agent at this post has time and again built houses, fenced, and broke up small farms, furnished them with seed, instructed them in planting, furnished them with rations, and today they are all going to ruin, use the fence for firewood, stick up their lodges near the house, and let the ponies use the house for shade. Yours truly, CHARLIE MANN.

Winfield Courier, January 21, 1875.

From the Territory.

EDITOR COURIER: Dear Sir: Since writing my last I have made one more trip to Fort Sill with pack ponies, for provisions. Found everything quiet there. There are about 2,500 Kiowas and Comanches camped at the agency drawing rations. There were about 500 ponies that were taken from the Indians shot according to orders, and about fifteen hundred sold at auction. The greater part of these were bought by Texans at an average price of $5 per head. That will probably cripple the Indians on the warpath to some extent. It is generally supposed that the Indian war is about at a close; as near as I can learn there have been 16 Indians killed during the whole campaign, and nine of them were killed in a party by buffalo hunters at the Doby Wells, up on the Canadian, leaving 7 killed by the troops. The different commands have about all come in, on account of not being able to carry on a winter's campaign. All of the Indians on the warpath have fled to the Guadalupe mountains for protection. The government is starting a supply camp about 150 miles west of Fort Sill, as the Fort is too far from the seat of war to haul supplies. As I write we are having another terrible sleet; everything is literally covered. Our stock are suffering for the want of grass that the sleet has covered. No more at present; I may write again at some future time. Yours truly,

CHARLIE MANN.

Winfield Courier, June 10, 1875 - Front Page.

[Galveston News.]

Many old Texans will remember the massacre at Fort Houston, Texas, in 1838; the capture of women and children by the Indians, and the subsequent recovery of Cynthia Parker, after some twenty years of captivity among the savages. The following letter of inquiry, will doubtless, meet the eyes of someone who can give the desired information. The last information on this subject possessed by the News placed Cynthia Anne Parker with her relatives in Parker County, probably in the family of her uncle, the venerable Isaac Parker, long a member of the Texas congress, who spent years in endeavoring to recover the captives. HEADQUARTERS, FORT SILL,

Capt. E. J. Strang, A. Q. M., U. S. A., Denison, Texas:

SIR: Citra, a Qua-ha-de Comanche, who came into this post a few days ago, is the son of Cynthia, or Cynthia Anne Parker, a white woman, and is very desirous of finding out the whereabouts of his mother, if still alive, who was captured by the Indians near the falls of the Brazos nearly forty years ago, while yet a girl, and captured by the United States troops eighteen years ago, since which time she has remained in Texas.

She took with her to Texas a little girl and left with the Indians two boys, one of whom has since died, and the surviving one (Citra), who was here, makes inquiry concerning her and his sister.

Any information you can obtain as to this woman, dead or alive, or of her daughter, will be gratefully received.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant.

R. A. MACKENZIE,

Colonel Fourth Cavalry, commanding post.

Winfield Courier, June 17, 1875. Peter T. Walton, of Parsons, passed through here last Saturday, en route for Fort Sill and Western Texas, where he expects to buy up a herd of match ponies, and ship them East this fall. Tell Walton, his brother, went from here with him. Hope they will have success and return with their "top hair" in due course of time.

Winfield Courier, July 1, 1875. Capt. Shenneman, Frank Lutz, and C. C. Harris started to Ft. Sill last Saturday to attend the government sale of ponies to be held there on the 5th of July. Considering the number of buyers going there, we think there will be about one pony, and a half mule for each person.

Winfield Courier, July 22, 1875. Capt. Shenneman and the boys returned from Ft. Sill. They brought up some nice ponies, but had to pay all they were worth for them.

Winfield Courier, July 22, 1875. We saw Frank Lutz and thirty-four other men and boys watching one of those Comanchee ponies last Tuesday and wondering what it would do next.

Winfield Courier, July 22, 1875. Tell W. and Peter Walton passed through town yester-day with a herd of match ponies. They had some very fine ones. Tell amused the boys awhile by lassoing and riding the wildest.

Winfield Courier, March 9, 1876. Editorial Page.

The country is startled by the news from Washington, announcing that a Congressional Investigating Committee has discovered that Gen. Belknap, Secretary of war, is guilty of corruption. His administration had been considered free from the "trades" and "considera-tions" that characterized the official action of many branches of the public service. Hence the universal astonishment of the developments. Belknap entered the army from Keokuk, Iowa, and was a brave and faithful officer. He rose to the rank of Major General, and became one of Grant's favorites. In Nov. 1869, he was appointed Secretary of War and held the office until he resigned the first of this month on account of the discoveries below mentioned.

A few years ago he was married to a Kentucky lady of high social position, great beauty, and fine accomplishments. His terrible falls seems, from the developments made, to have originated with her. She first accepted, without his knowledge, the present of a large sum of money to procure an appointment for one Marsh as Post Trader at Fort Sill in the Indian Territory. Afterwards this corrupt transaction came to his knowledge, and he received other payments of money from this trader. The total sum was about $6,000 per annum, and the payments have been made for two years. The amounts received, first by his wife, and subsequently by himself, exceed $20,000.

The President at once accepted his resignation The House of Representatives have pre-sented before the Senate articles of impeachment and judgment will be rendered against him.

Considering all the circumstances of the case, the crime of the Secretary is of unusual turpitude. He was in the enjoyment of a large salary; he was intrusted with high and responsible duties; he had attained great distinction in the army and in civil life; and his future was brilliant with promise. But in an evil moment he risked and lost everything for the sake of a few dollars.

Arkansas City Traveler, March 15, 1876. Front Page. St. Louis, March 3. The Republican learns from a gentleman just arrived from Fort Sill, Indian Territory, that the developments of yesterday will create no surprise out there, because everybody at the post has for a long time been cognizant of the fact that the traders here were required to send heavy monthly contributions East, and they even urged, in order to enforce monthly collections from their patrons, the necessity for making those remittances, exclaiming that they were required to pay for the privileges they enjoyed. Lees & Reynolds, post traders at Camp Supply, make no secret of the fact that they hold their franchise as a thing purchased at large figures.

Arkansas City Traveler, March 15, 1876.

The President has revoked the appointment of Evans as post trader at Fort Sill.

Winfield Courier, March 30, 1876. LIEUT. GARDENER of the regular army stationed at Ft. Sill, in company with a deserter who had beaten and robbed a citizen, stole a horse, and made his way up as far as Tisdale, passed through here last Friday on his return to the Fort. They will make short work of this deserter down at Sill.

Arkansas City Traveler, April 5, 1876. Front Page.

An army officer, now in Philadelphia, who was stationed at Fort Sill for a number of years until quite recently, told a Philadelphia Times reporter that it is located in the southwestern tract of the Indian Territory, about forty-five miles from the Texas border and one hundred and sixty miles from Atoka, the present terminus of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas railroad. It was built in 1868 by General Grierson, of the Tenth United States Cavalry, and is situated in a beautiful country. The land is well timbered and watered, and nature has made it one of the finest posts in the southwest. The post was established for the accommodation of six companies, but at present there are twelve, ten of cavalry and two of infantry, on the ground. It is situated on a bluff two hundred feet high, overlooking Medicine Bluff Creek. It discloses the fertile plains, dotted with the tents of the soldiers and the smoke curling from the wigwams of the Indians located in large numbers but half a mile off. The fort derives its name from a romantic story told by the natives. Miss Sill, a dusky damsel, becoming chagrined at the attentions paid by a stalwart brave to another local coquette in the far distant past, made a Tarpeian rock of the bluff and ended her career. In the neighborhood of 5,000 or 6,000 Indians, mostly

KIOWAS AND COMANCHES,

are stationed, within eye-sight of the post, and a brisk business is carried on between the trader and them. The latter dispose of their furs for a small remuneration, but receive mostly necessaries for their products. "West of Leavenworth, Fort Sill is the largest and biggest plum at the disposition of the War Department," said the army officer. "At one time, Mr. Evans, the post trader, informed me that he had over $100,000 worth of goods on hand. His store is quite large, well built, and surmounted with an iron roof. There are no white settlements around, and the nearest stations are Camp Richardson, in Texas, about 150 miles, and Camp Supply, 200 miles to the north. We were all acquainted with the manner by which Evans obtained his tradership, and the bonus he was paying, as far back as four years ago. The affair was not secret."

Arkansas City Traveler, April 5, 1876.

Indian ponies have been brought in to sell by parties who purchased them at Fort Sill.

Arkansas City Traveler, April 12, 1876. A committee of Congress has reported adversely on the claim for damages of the widow of Capt. O. F. Short, who was killed by the Indians while surveying U. S. lands in the western part of this State, about two years ago.

Arkansas City Traveler, May 3, 1876. Andres Eising, the Indian scout and interpreter, who loafed around the saloons of Wichita during the winter, was arrested on the 12th inst. at Fort Reno, Indian Territory, and will be here in the course of a day or so to appear and answer to the charge of stealing a horse. He stole the horse in the upper end of town some six weeks since, and a saddle and bridle belonging to Sheriff Dunning, then started for that thief harbor, the Territory. He traded the horse for a pony, in Wellington, and was recognized by some of the citizens who had some suspicion that the horse was stolen. J. O. Kincaid has been on his track and captured his man on the above date. Beacon.

Arkansas City Traveler, May 24, 1876.

Contracts are to be let at Fort Leavenworth, on the 10th day of June, for wagon transportation from Caddo to Fort Sill, Indian Territory; Wichita, Kansas, to Fort Reno, I. T.; Dodge City, or Fort Dodge, Kansas, to Camp Supply, I. T.; Dodge City, or Fort Dodge, Kansas, to Fort Elliot, Texas, and a number of other points farther west.

Winfield Courier, September 7, 1876. Editorial Page. Satanta, the aged Kiowa chief, now confined in the Texas penitentiary, was so overjoyed on hearing of the slaughter of Custer and his command that he begged to be allowed to go to the assistance of Sitting Bull, and could hardly conceal his rage when his request was denied.

Arkansas City Traveler, October 11, 1876. J. M. JORDON started for Fort Sill last Friday with a load of flour to deliver on Newman's contract. Silas Ward went with him. He expects to remain in the Territory to work.

Arkansas City Traveler, November 22, 1876. The Kiowas, Comanches, and Apaches are under J. M. Haworth, and number 3,000.

Satanta, the Kiowa chief, hung himself recently, but was discovered and cut down.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 17, 1877. Fifty teams will start for Fort Sill this week,

loaded with flour. They will all go together.

[See AA Journey to the Indian Country@ by C. M. Scott.]

Arkansas City Traveler, April 11, 1877.

From a gentleman who has just returned from Fort Sill, we learn that a fight took place between eight hunters and a band of 250 Quahada Comanche renegade Indians known as Mauwa's band, who have been absent from the Agency some time, in the Pan Handle of Texas, about 200 miles west of the Kiowa and Comanche Agency, not far from Double Mountain. The whites had lost some ponies and followed the trail until they came upon them in a ravine, when one man held the horses while the seven went to fight. Finding more Indians than they expected, the man left had to tie the horses, in order to help. The Indians seeing the horses tied ran upon them and stampeded them. The hunters finally had to beat a retreat, following a creek all day, in order to keep out of sight. The Indians, thinking that there were a number of whites, did not push them, so that by several days hard travel they reached a trading post and were safe. In the fight "Spotted Jack," a half-breed darkey, was wounded in the left thigh. D. Cairns, who came up the road with a load of buffalo meat, last week, had been with Marshall Sewell, of Missouri, who had been killed a few days before the fight took place. There are about 500 buffalo hunters in the Pan Handle, and a company of 100 men was organized and started in pursuit of the band that murdered Sewell, from Charley Rath's ranche. Also a company of soldiers from Fort Griffin, Texas, and two from Fort Sill, Indian Territory, and two from Fort Elliot, Texas.

The above report comes direct from Mr. N. A. Haight, and we believe will be substantiated.

Arkansas City Traveler, November 21, 1877.

KIOWA AND COMANCHE AGENCY, INDIAN TERRITORY

November 8, 1877.

Brother Scott: The TRAVELER still continues to wind its way to our lodge, and is ever a welcome guest. So familiar have we become with it, that even local matters in your neighborhood have become of interest to us. The paper told us a short time ago of someone of its patrons who had raised a six pound sweet potato, which (to us) looked considerably sweet potatoish, until a young man, of the Comanche tribe, a blanketed Indian, brought in a wagon load a few days ago, many of which were as large as the specimen the TRAVELER speaks of. Two were weighed together, weighing thirteen and three quarter pounds. Moxie and Sague have over one hundred bushels of sweet potatoes to sellCof this year's crop, besides fifty acres of good corn and heaps of pumpkins.

Four years ago they had very little idea of becoming farmersCbut today they have as good prospects and are doing as well as many grange members among their pale faced friendsCa similar story may be truthfully told of others of the red men in this part of the country.

Our school is full, and many more would attend if we had room for them. So far as I can see, we have much to encourage us in the work of civilization among these people.

We have a pleasant recollection of the visit of yourself and a friend to our ranch.

Very truly yours, J. M. HAWORTH.

Arkansas City Traveler, April 24, 1878.

Lone Wolf, White Horse, Black Horse, and Eagle Head, Kiowa and Comanche chiefs, are returning from St. Augustine, Florida, where they have been confined for three years past. There will be the liveliest time heard of for years when they reach the Agency. Their relatives have been mourning for them "many moons" and their reception will be made of more importance than anything that has occurred to them from their childhood.

Arkansas City Traveler, April 24, 1878.

After the suppression of the Indian outbreak in 1874, in the Indian Territory, the government selected something over seventy hostages, including chiefs and young warriors, from the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Kiowa, and Comanche, and confined them in the fort at St. Augustine, Florida. Maj. Miles, Agent at Cheyenne Agency, has shown us the following telegram from Hon. Wm. M. Leeds, acting Indian commissioner, in reference to their disposition. WASHINGTON, D.C., April 15, 1878.

J. D. MILES, Wichita, Kans.: Of the San Augustine prisoners landed at Fortress Monroe, yesterday, fifteen remain at Hampton Normal school, three go to Syracuse, New York, and thirty-nine will be delivered to you by Col. O'Brien, at Wichita. From Wichita you will forward them to their reservation. They will start this afternoon. W. M. Leeds, Acting Com'r.

The Indians will arrive here Thursday night, and will be sent on as soon as transportation can be obtained.

Arkansas City Traveler, April 24, 1878.

Chiefs of the Kiowa, Comanche, and Arapaho Indians, with their warriors, fifty-nine in number, confined at St. Augustine, Florida, the past three years, arrived here yesterday, and go west this evening. Seventeen, however, will remain at Hampton Normal School. Among the chiefs are Lone Wolf, White Horse, Black Horse, and Eagle Head.

There will be the liveliest time heard of for years when they reach the Agency. Their relatives have been mourning for them Amany moons@ and their reception will be made of more importance than anything that has occurred to them from their childhood.

Arkansas City Traveler, February 25, 1880.

While the Tonkawa braves were here, a colored man named Albert Bass, who could speak Spanish, approached them at the hotel and addressed them in the Spanish tongue, telling them he was an Indian. They readily inquired of him as to what tribe he belonged. He answered Comanche. Almost in a twinkling they nabbed him, whipped out their long knives, and were in the act of making mince meat of his carcass, saying they would cut out his heart and eat it, when the Lieutenant in charge appeared on the scene and succeeded at length in quieting the Indians. As the Comanches are the deadly enemies of the Tonkawas, they would be gratified of an opportunity to send a few of their enemies to the happy hunting grounds. Guess Bass will not relish playing Indian soon again.

Arkansas City Traveler, September 8, 1880. [Source/location not given by paper.]

"Yellow Moon," head chief of the Comanche Indians, died in this city last Wednesday evening, of pneumonia. Though fast failing, on the day of his death, he jumped on his pony, rode to the river and indulged in a good swim, after which he returned to camp and stretched himself out in the boiling sun. He was buried by our citizens Thursday morning. After the grave was filled up, according to the custom that obtains among Indians, his best pony was shot over his grave. His saddle was buried with him, that his spirit might ride to the happy hunting grounds "behind the cloud-capped hills." The grief of the little girl, supposed to be his daughter, was deep and sincere, venting itself in the despairing wail peculiar to Indians.

Arkansas City Traveler, August 9, 1882.

A wedding at the Indian schools at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, was celebrated on June 20, 1882. The bridegroom, Elahdidwh, a Kiowa brave, explained in a naive way how the alliance was brought about. He said: "Long time ago, in Indian Territory, I hunt and I fight; I not think about girls. Then you take me to St. Augustine. I learn much; but I not think about girls. I go to Carlisle; I learn more; I do right; I not think about girls there. But Laura, she thinks. I bring her to Carlisle. When I can work, I will take care of her."

He has since finished his studies and learned how to make a living. The bride and bridegroom were accompanied to the altar by twelve attendants, selected from the various tribes represented at the school. The ceremony was made a very solemn one for the purpose of impressing the Indians with its sacredness. It may be hoped that purpose will be consumated, for in the influence of domestic ties consists much of the hope entertained of Indian civilization. Christian Herald.

The Caldwell Journal, September 27, 1883.

Last week the city was full of noble red men, and among those conspicuous by their appearance and evident authority, were Stumbling Bear and Big Tree, chiefs of the Kiowa tribe. Both had passed up the road the week previous, on their way to Olathe, where they expected to meet Inspector Haworth, and confer with him relative to matters concerning their tribe. They met Mr. Haworth in Kansas City, on his return from the West, and had a conference with him, but, owing to the fact that there was no interpreter along, they failed in completing the object of their mission. Consequently, they returned, Big Tree going back to the reservation, while Stumbling Bear waited until his son arrived from the Carlisle school, and then went over to Geuda Springs to try the effects of their waters upon his eyes. Stumbling Bear is a large, fine-looking man of about sixty years of age. He was one of the chiefs that signed the treaty made at Wichita in 1865, and since that time has strictly kept its stipulations, refusing to go off on any raids, and has always been a friend of the whites.

Big Tree is a man about thirty-six years of age, about five feet ten inches in height, weighing about 260 pounds, and rather corpulent, but at the same time, very active, and in every action exhibiting great strength and a full command of his physical and mental powers. His face is bright and intelligent, showing to the most casual observer that he is an Indian of more than average native ability.

Through the kindness of Phil. McCusker, who happened to be here when Stumbling Bear and Big Tree arrived, we had an interview with the latter. Big Tree said he wanted to tell his story so that through the JOURNAL it might get to the ears of Washington, that thereby something might be done toward Washington fulfilling the promises it had made to the Kiowas. He stated that some time ago Washington had sent instructions to have the Kiowas go to freighting; but the Indians held back. Big Tree took hold of the affair, and by his personal influence induced the Kiowas to take hold of the freighting business. In considera-tion of his services, the government promised to give him a wagon, but up to the present time no part of the agreement had been fulfilled on the part of Washington. The Kiowas had also been induced to go into farming, the government agreeing to break up the land if the Kiowa Indians would make the rails and build the fences around the land to be cultivated. Some land had been broken, but the greater portion could not be, on account of the lightness of the teams employed. The Indians, on the other hand, had made the rails, but the land was not ready for fencing, and the consequence was that nothing could be done for another year. Big Tree said his people wanted more wagons and better teams, and then they would do the best they could. When the tribe was wild, he said, they could take care of their own affairs, but now that they were under charge of the government, nothing could be done for them.

Big Tree also spoke about the education of the children of the tribe, stating that he had used his best efforts to induce his people to send their children to school. As for himself, he had lost his only son, but had sent a nephew to school.

Knowing that Big Tree was one of the Indians who had been arrested and taken to Texas along with Satanta, we endeavored to question him on that point. It was, however, a tender subject with him, and we did not press it. He said, however, that since he had been pardoned by Gov. Davis, of Texas, he had endeavored to follow the white man=s path, and strictly fulfill all the promises he had made. At the close of the interview, which took place in the JOURNAL office, our business manager presented Big Tree with a cigar and a match, and the editor, in his usual impressive and hearty manner, thanked him for his talk. Big Tree then gathered his flowing drapery around him, shook hands with all present, and stalked out with all the dignity of a United States Senator from Kansas.

Winfield Courier, July 10, 1884.

The cattle men, who are driving their herds up from Texas to Kansas and Nebraska, complain loudly of the treatment received at the hands of bands of Kiowa and Comanche Indians in the Territory.They are constantly demanding pay of the drivers, and there is no putting them off, so the blackmailing operation has to be submitted to.The cattle men think the government should warn the Indians off the trail and punish them for their depredations.