Calendar history of the Kiowa Indians. (1898 N 17 / 1895-1896 (pages 129-444))Mooney, James
History
Calendar history of the Kiowa Indians. (1898 N 17 / 1895-1896 (pages 129-444))
Mooney, James
Kiowa Indians; Kiowa language -- Glossaries, vocabularies, etc.
The Kiowa and Comanche Indians have for two years appeared in full
numbers and for long periods upon the Arkansas, and now permanently
occupy the country between the Canadian and Arkansas rivers. This
is in consequence of the hostile front opposed to them in Texas, by
which they are forced toward the north, and is likely to continue
perpetual.... A smothered passion for revenge agitates these
Indians, perpetually fomented by the failure of food, the
encircling encroachments of the white population, and the
exasperating sense of decay and impending extinction with which
they are surrounded....
I estimate the number of whites traversing the plains across the
center belt to have exceeded sixty thousand during the present
season. The trains of vehicles and cattle are frequent and valuable
in proportion. Post lines and private expresses are in constant
motion. The explorations of this season have established the
existence of the precious metals in absolutely infinite abundance
and convenience of position. The concourse of whites is therefore
constantly swelling and incapable of control or restraint by the
government. This suggests the policy of promptly rescuing the
Indians and withdrawing them from contact with the whites, as the
element capable of such immediate management as may anticipate and
prevent difficulties and massacre. I repeat, then, as the
suggestion of my best judgment, that immediate and sufficient steps
be taken to assemble and finally dispose of these particular tribes
of Indians, viz, the Kiowa and Comanches, the Cheyennes, and the
Arapahoes, by reducing them, under treaties and arrangements, to
become agricultural and pastoral people, located within specific
districts, judiciously selected and liberally endowed, to which
they shall be restricted and the white men excluded from among
them. These numerous and warlike Indians, pressed upon all around
by the Texans, by the settlers of the gold region, by the advancing
people of Kansas and from the Platte, are already compressed into a
small circle of territory, destitute of food, and itself bisected
athwart by a constantly marching line of emigrants. A desperate war
of starvation and extinction is therefore imminent and inevitable
unless prompt measures shall prevent it (_Report, 21_).
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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