4. School. Rev. J. Ashburn, A.M., late of Georgetown College, Kentucky, principal teacher; Miss E. McCoy, principal of female department. Since September 30, 1848, the school has been conducted under the provisions of the contract entered into with the government. We having been informed that all the pupils kept by us previous to the completion of our buildings, and subsequent to the signing of the contract, would receive the allowance specified.

Of the pupils, seventeen were entered previous to September 30, 1848, twelve previous to June 30, 1849, nine previous to August 15, 1849, and one since. The male pupils have been taught and exercised in the various departments of manual labor, and the females in labors appropriate to their sex. All have made encouraging progress in their studies.

It is a leading motive with us to Americanize the Indians, and attach them to our country and institutions; as, in our estimation, upon success in this depends much in regard to their future well-being. A foreign influence must ever engender prejudice and produce a want of confidence in our government and people.

Respectfully,
J. LYKINS,

HON. ORLANDO BROWN, Supt. Pot. Bap. M. L. School.
Commissioner of Indian Affairs.

Page 496

The Catholic Mission at St. Marys had been firmly established. Two log houses, one for boys and one for girls, had been erected. They were two stories high and 22 by 58 feet in size.

All the reports from the Pottawatomies were omitted from the annual report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs for the year 1850.

WOMEN GETTING READY TO DANCE. Prairie band, Pottawatomie Indians. Mayetta, Kan., 1917.

The reports for 1851 mention the Pottawatomies only in an incidental way. They seem to be included in no agency, though this could scarcely be the case. The omission may perhaps be charged to negligence of agents. Possibly the failure to send the reports to the printer with other material would account for the nonappearance of any information concerning the Pottawatomies in the report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.

The superintendent, D. D. Mitchell, consolidated the Kickapoos and a small band of Pottawatomies who had lived on the Kickapoo reserva-

Page 497

tion for many years. The Pottawatomies bought from the Kickapoos a right in the Kickapoo Nation and Kickapoo lands. This made these bands one nation. The consideration paid the Kickapoos was taken from the annuities of the particular Pottawatomies making the purchase. From what appears in numerous succeeding reports, it must have been Pottawatomies of the Prairie band who united with the Kickapoos.

There appears a very significant recommendation in the report of D. D. Mitchell, superintendent, this year. He urged the formation of Nebraska territory--an action which was taken by Congress three years later. He said:

"So far as the border tribes are concerned, I am happy to be able to state (from personal observation) that they are gradually advancing in civilization, and a large majority of the families are now as intelligent, comfortable and well informed as their white neighbors. They have become very much intermixed and amalgamated with the whites; and this process of civilization (if it may be so termed) will continue under the existing state of Indian affairs. I have thought and observed much on this subject, and have no hesitation in saying that an intermixture with the Anglo-Saxon race is the only means by which the Indians of this continent can be partially civilized. In order to carry out this plan I beg leave to suggest, for the consideration of the Department, the following measures, viz., the laying off of Nebraska territory, with the following boundaries: commencing on the Missouri, at the mouth of the Kansas river, and running up the Missouri to the mouth of the L'eau qui court, or Running Water river; following up the Running Water river to its source, about thirty-five miles above Fort Laramie, where this stream issues from the base of the southern range of mountains, known as the Black Hills; from thence due south to the Arkansas river; thence along our established boundaries to the western line of the state of Missouri, to the place of beginning. This will give to the United States all the agricultural lands south of the Missouri river that are considered exclusively Indian territory.

"Should this territory be established, the question would then arise, what shall be done with the Indians occupying the soil within the above-described limits? I would recommend that one section of land be given to each head of a family, and secured to his descendants for fifty years, without any right of transfer.

"It is fair to presume that after the lapse of fifty years the Indian owners of the soil would be able to protect their own pecuniary interests, having the example of the whites, by whom they would be surrounded and intermixed, before them. To these Indians I would grant the privileges of citizenship, as I know, from personal observation, that they are far more capable of exercising them than a large portion of the citizens of New Mexico. After assigning to each family the requisite quantity of land, a large surplus would remain, which should be purchased by the government at something like a fair price, and thrown open to the pioneers of the country, where they can settle and establish their preemption rights, whenever the lands are surveyed and thrown into market."

The Baptist Manual Labor School was still under the superintendency of J. Lykins. From what was reported very little can be gained as to the progress made.

Francis W. Lea was this year the agent of the Pottawatomies. The Kansas Indians comprised the other tribe of the agency. The recom-

Page 498

mendation made by D. D. Mitchell in 1849, that these two tribes be formed into a separate agency, had been favorably acted on. Agent Lea said that he had forwarded an annual report the preceding year. It was not included in those published, as has been already noted.

Lea made a discouraging report of both tribes under his charge. Of the Pottawatomies he said that not more than twenty families could live in comfort without an annuity. More than two-thirds of the nation cultivated only very small patches of soil and these were devoted to products consumed in summer. The lawless element of the tribe confiscated to its own use whatever stock and grain it found.

INDIAN WOMEN DANCING. Reservation. Prairie band, Pottawatomie Indians, Mayetta, Kan., 1917.

The Baptist Manual Labor School report was made by "D." Lykins. This may have been a misprint for "J." Lykins, the superintendent in previous years. The school was twice interrupted by sickness during the year, but by September the health of the teachers and pupils had improved.

J. B. Duerinck, superintendent of the Catholic Manual Labor School, had this to say of the Prairie band:

"The peace and harmony of this settlement is now seldom disturbed by war parties or alarming reports of invasion. The Pawnees have formerly been accused of stealing our horses, but no complaints have lately been heard on that score. Our Indians have this summer smoked peace with them whilst on a buffalo hunt in the upper country.

"The Pottawatomie Prairie Indians have not yet laid aside their wild and uncivilized mode of living; they are averse to work and live in wretched cabins and wigwams. They paint their faces and delight in all

Page 499

sorts of motley and fantastical dress and trappings. They are unfortunately addicted to liquor. Some unprincipled whites and half-breeds, too lazy to work, sell them whisky and cheat the intoxicated dupes out of their horses and ponies, and even out of their guns and blankets. But we look for a better state of things. Our agent, Major Lea, who is very popular with them, has taken efficient measures to put a stop to this evil. His energies may be severely taxed, but we doubt not that he will succeed in suppressing this unholy traffic, and that these Indians will soon become sober and industrious."

John W. Whitfield was the agent of the Pottawatomies this year. The agency was evidently maintained at Westport, Mo., though the report gives no location. It says: "The agency is located so far from the nation that it is impossible for the agent to prevent many disturbances that he might do if his location was near to them."

The Prairie band is spoken of in the report as the "Council Bluffs band." Of this band Whitfield said:

"The Pottawatomies, principally the Council Bluffs band, while out on their summer hunt came in contact with the mountain Indians, and after a hard-fought battle, lasting more than half a day, succeeded in putting them to flight, leaving some twenty or thirty of their dead on the battle field. At least the Pottawatomies brought in about that number of scalps, over which they have been dancing for the last month. I learn from various sources that the mountain Indians came down expressly for the purpose of having a fight with the frontier Indians. They first came in contact with the Pawnees, and but for the timely aid of the Pottawatomies (who happened to be but a few miles off) would have killed the last one, as they had them surrounded and had killed some ten or fifteen before the Pottawatomies reached the scene of action. All parties give the Pottawatomies great credit for their gallant conduct on that occasion. They lost in killed and wounded some four or five. From the best information I can get, the frontier Indians are not to blame, as they were fighting in self-defense. We anticipate a renewal of hostilities next summer if they should meet on the plains."

Speaking of the Baptist Manual Labor School, the report says that it encountered many difficulties and was not in a prosperous condition for some time. The Rev. "David" Lykins was in charge of it when the report was written. It was made by "D." Lykins, "in the absence of a local superintendent." So it is probable that "D." Lykins is not a misprint for "J." Lykins, but that the reports signed "D. Lykins" were made by Rev. David Lykins. This school was in charge of the Board of the American Indian Missionary Association, located at Louisville, Ky.

The report of J. D. Duerinck, superintendent of the Catholic Manual Labor School, shows prejudice against the Prairie band. The children of this band attended the Baptist school, which was not kindly taken by the superintendent of St. Marys. He said: "The Prairie Indians of the Pottawatomie tribe, an infidel sect of medicine men, are as yet but little civilized, and are in every respect far behind their Catholic brethren." This good brother was something of a politician, understanding the value of flattery, saying in his report to Whitfield: "The Pottawatomies at large are wonderfully taken up with you." The superintendent was a shrewd man and had certainly formed the correct estimate of Mr. Whit-

Page 500

field. He made a bid for the capital of the new territory, soon to be established, as follow:

". . . The Catholic Mission is said to be the most lovely spot in the Indian country. The mission building, with the adjacent trading houses, groups of Indian improvements and extensive cornfields, all give it the appearance of a town. Some people think that if Nebraska be organized as a territory St. Marys ought to be the capital. Steamboats will certainly ascend the Kanzas next spring, come up to our landing, discharge freight, and make us forget that we live in the Indian country. . . ."

WILLIAM HALE AND JESSE HALE, Dancers, Prairie band, Pottawatomie Indians, Mayetta, Kan., 1917

The Pottawatomie agency was wholly neglected this year, so far as reports show--or rather there are no reports, except that from the St. Marys school. It was said to be in fine condition and to be doing excellent work.

Whitfield had been sent as a special agent far out upon the plains to settle difficulties among the plains tribes. He made two reports, both dated Westport, Mo., one September 27 and the other October 2. The

Page 501

first he signed as "Indian Agent," and to the second he subscribed himself as "Indian Agent, Platte Agency." In neither does he give any information about the Pottawatomies. He must have furnished to the Indian Office some particulars outside his report, for A. Cumming, superintendent of Indian affairs at St. Louis, in his report said:

"I am officially advised that on the arrival of agent Whitfield at Fort Atkinson, on the Arkansas river, with the annuity goods for the Comanches, Kiowas and Apaches, in July last, he found that they had all gone on a war party against the tribes of the north, confident from their numbers, estimated at 1,500, to gain an easy victory over any tribes they should encounter. In the vicinity of Smoky Hill they came up with a party of Sacs and Foxes and a few Pottawatomies, the whole not exceeding 200 in number. The Comanches believing (to use the words of one of their chiefs) that they could eat up so small a force in a few minutes, made a general charge. The Sacs allowed them to approach until within a hundred yards, when they opened upon them a well-directed fire from their rifles, which, being unexpected, appalled and for the moment checked their assailants. Three times these charges were repeated, and each time with a like fatal result. The Comanches at length retired, crestfallen and dispirited, having twenty-six killed and over one hundred wounded. On their return to Fort Atkinson their appearance and deportment were quite changed; they seemed humble and dejected, and quietly and submissively received their annuities and retired. The loss of the Sacs and Foxes is reported to be very inconsiderable."

Whitfield's report makes no mention of the Pottawatomies. But the following may prove of interest:

"The Indians were encamped on Pawnee fork, at the crossing of the Santa Fe road, where they were collected in larger numbers than have ever been known to assemble on the Arkansas river before. Old traders estimate the number at twelve to fifteen hundred lodges, and the horses and mules at from forty to fifty thousand head. The entire Kiowa and Prairie Comanches were there; several hundred of Texas or Woods Comanches had come over; the Prairie Apaches, one band of Arapahoes, and two bands of Cheyennes, and the Osages, composed the grand council. They had met for the purpose of forming their war party, in order, as they in their strong language said, to 'wipe out' all frontier Indians they could find on the plains. Two days previous to my arrival they broke up camp and started north. As soon as I heard that they were gone I sent two runners to try and bring them back. They, however, declined coming, and sent word that they would soon return, as it would take but a short time to clear the plains of all frontier Indians. They were doomed to be disappointed, as other great nations in their own imagination have been. At some place near Kansas river they met about one hundred Sac and Fox Indians, and the fight commenced, and, from their account, lasted about three hours, when to their great surprise the combined forces were compelled to retreat, leaving their dead on the field, which Indians never do unless badly whipped. They report their loss at about sixteen killed and one hundred wounded. From the best information I can get, the Sacs and Foxes were as much surprised at the result as the others, for there is no doubt but that they would have run too if they could have seen a hole to get out at. They had taken shelter in a ravine, and were for a long time surrounded. The Prairie Indians were armed with the bow and arrow, while the others had fine rifles. One is a formidable weapon in close quarters, but worthless at more than about fifty yards. The rifle told almost every shot, either on rider or horse. It is easily accounted for why one hundred whipped fifteen hundred. The former had a weapon to fight with; the latter had none at the distance they were fighting. I learn that the Sacs and Foxes lost six killed, but they were killed with the rifle.

Page 502

The Osages have fine guns, and they must have shot them, for I am certain the other Indians have nothing in the shape of guns except a few northwest shotguns, and they are of but little use. The Sacs and Foxes are satisfied that the Osages did them the only damage they received, and as an evidence I learn that war had been declared between the two nations, and already some scalps have been taken. This may save the government from whipping them (the Osages), as it is certain somebody will have it to do soon. Their acts on the Santa Fe road this summer are intolerable. Emigrants and freighters will scarcely be permitted to pass the road next season unless something is done. Not a train has passed this season which has not been more or less annoyed; and as to the Mexicans, they have taken their mules in droves. They had regular stations, where they demanded toll of all passing. Some few have been shot, and it is to be regretted that more did not meet the same fate. They are very mad because the government sends out presents to the Comanches and Kiowas, telling them many lies to induce them not to take the goods. They told them this summer that bad medicine had been put in the goods to kill them off. Their reason for this is, that previous to the treaty they enjoyed a rich and uninterrupted trade. For one blanket or a few pounds of sugar and coffee they could purchase a mule worth eighty or one hundred dollars. If something is not done to keep this gang of highway robbers off the road next season, emigrants and others had better go well prepared to meet them."

Introduction nIshnabe'k The People mzenegenek books bode'wadmimo speak Potawatomi

Next section nizhokmake'wen resources/help Home Page: news & updates BWAKA - about us