1884 Delegations
President:
Chester A. Arthur
Commissioner of Indian Affairs in 1884:
Hiram Price (May 6, 1881 – March 27, 1885)
Jan. 4, 1884: Evening Star: [Apache: Jicarilla, Mescelaro]
A delegation of Mescelaro and Jicarilla Apache Indians of New Mexico, attracted considerable attention at the Capitol to-day. There were escorted by W. H. H. Llewellyn, the agent of the two tribes. Nearly all of them were dressed in full Indian rig, with showy colors. They all speak Spanish. These Indians are here on business connected with their lands.
Jan. 5, 1884: Critic Record: [Apache: [Jicarilla, Mescelaro] ]
A delegation of Apache Indians, dressed after their fashion, were at the Capitol yesterday sight-seeing. Quite a number of boys and strangers were following them around to the amusement of the red men of the forest.
Jan. 10, 1884: Evening Star: [Apache: [Jicarilla, Mescelaro] ]
An Apache Chief’s Flattering Offer.—While the Apache Indian chiefs were visiting the office of the commissioner of internal revenue, yesterday afternoon, they were surrounded by a large number of female clerks, whose presence inspired one of the braves to say to the commissioner in a way that left no doubt of his sincerity: “I will give you twenty-five good ponies for one of your squaws.”
Jan. 10, 1884: Critic Record: [Apache: [Jicarilla, Mescelaro] ]
In Love With A White Squaw.
An Apache Brave offers Twenty-five Ponies for a Good-Looking Treasury Clerk.
“The lady clerks of the Treasury are much interested in the Apache chiefs who visited the Department yesterday, and at least one of the chiefs has shown that he is interested in the Treasury clerks,” remarked on of Uncle Sam’s money manipulators to a reporter.
“How so?” queried the reporter.
“You see, the chiefs were enjoying the hospitality and the cigars of one of the most genial heads of bureau, and the lady clerks looked into the room to see the copper-colored braves, and were gazing in curiosity at the Indians, when one of the sober chiefs, after contemplating the bevy of blushing maidens, turned to the head of the bureau and confidentially and seriously, but very audibly, remarked:
“Me give twenty-five ponies for one of your squaws.”
The remark carried consternation into the ranks of the Treasury girls, but they are not so mad about it now as if the old fellow had offered fewer ponies.
Jan. 19, 1884: Critic Record: [Cherokee]
That Cherokee Fund.
Mr. Busheyhead Exonerates Mr. Phillips—the Colored School Fund.
Hon. D. W. Busheyhead, chief of the Cherokee Nation, is in the city as a representative of his people before Congress this winter. He was met by a Critic reporter last night at Willard’s and asked what truth there was in the charge of Colonel Boudinot that Colonel Phillips, of Kansas, had gotten away with $22,000 of the $300,000 appropriated by Congress last session for the benefit of the Cherokee Nation. He replied that so far as he knew there was no foundation for the charge at all. ….[rest irrelevant to delegation]
Jan. 29, 1884: Evening Star: [Flathead]
The Flathead Indians from Montana will occupy a box at Ford’s Opera house to-night.
Jan. 31, 1884: Evening Star: [Flathead]
The Flathead Indians.
Two Conferences with Secretary Teller.
Chief Carlos and his delegation of Flathead Indians had a conference with the Secretary of the Interior yesterday upon the proposition to remove the Flathead’s now in the bitter Root valley to the Jocke reservation in Montana. Senator Vest and Delegate Maginnis were present at the conference. Secretary Teller and Senator Vest made addresses to Chief Charlos, endeavoring to convince him that the acceptance of this proposition would be beneficial to his people. The delegation were advised to think over the matter and to call again at the department.
The Secretary of the Interior had another interview with the Flat Head Indians to-day. It is the desire of the government to remove these Indians from the Bitter Root valley to the reservation near by. The Indians, however, hold patents to the lands, and, while government officials believe that it will be to the interest of the Indians and the children to go on the reservation, yet, as Secretary Teller said to-day, he did not feel that the Indians ought to be compelled to go. The chief, Carlos, hasn’t much confidence in the promises of white men, and he is sharp enough to know that the Secretary cannot carry out his promises unless Congress is willing.
The Secretary told them to consider what he had said, and decide what they wanted the government to do for them in the event that they moved. He added that he believed that they had now come to a time when they would be able to carry out treaties with the Indians. If the Indians make known their wants the Secretary will ask permission of Congress to grant them.
Feb. 6, 1884: Evening Star: [Flathead]
Society Notes.
The White House Reception
The public reception last night at the Executive mansion by the President was a most successful one. The entire house, with the exception of the sleeping apartments, was thrown open to the guests…
Shortly after the reception opened Delegate Maginnis, of Montana, entered with five representatives from the Flathead nation, marching at their head the resolute brave who last summer nonplussed Senator Vance by his tragic denunciation of the attempt made to move his people from their hunting grounds. The Indians after being presented to the receiving party amidst a profound silence ranged themselves along the wall of the Blue room, facing the ladies, and watched for a time the ceaseless tide of humanity passing through to pay their respects to the President. Presently, finding the heat rather oppressive, they mingled with the others and passed into the East room.
Feb. 6, 1884: Boston Herald: [Flathead]
Reception by the President.
(Special Dispatch to the Herald.)
Washington, D.C., Feb. 5, 1884. The White House was crowded during two hours tonight while the President held his first evening reception, assisted by Mrs. McElroy and the wives of the members of the cabinet. The Mississippi river convention, the Illinois Press Association and the Flat Head Indian delegation swelled the throng to unusual proportions. Each of these organizations took the reception, which is usual at this time of the season, as a special compliment to itself.
Feb. 9, 1884: Evening Star: [Flathead]
Chief Carlo, of the Flathead delegation, and the interpreter of the delegation underwent operations at the Providence hospital by which the partial blindness with which they suffered was removed. The Indians were placed under the influence of an anaesthetic.
Feb. 11, 1884: Evening Star: [Apache: [Chiricahua, Mescalero] ]
Apache visitors.—The commissioner of Indian affairs to-day received a visit from the apache Indians of the San Carlos reservation in Arizona, who had just returned from a visit to the Indian school at Carlisle, Pa., where their children are. They expressed themselves pleased with the result of their visits to Carlisle and Hampton, Va.
Feb. 11, 1884: Critic Record: [Apache: Mescalero]
A delegation of Mescalero and Apache Indians from San Carlos reservation called on Indian Commissioner Price to-day.
Feb. 12, 1884: Evening Star: [Apache: [Chiricahus, Mescalero] ]
A Delegation of Four Apache Indians from the San Carlos reservation held an audience with President Arthur to-day at noon. The Indians, sergeant Not, of the regular army under General Crook; Antonio, Chiquita Hey, and As-Kadodilges were in charge of Lieut. Porter W. West, of the 3d cavalry, and Indian Agent P. P. Wilcox.
Feb. 12, 1884: Daily Nonpareil [Council Bluffs, Iowa]: [Apache: Chiricahua, Mescalero]
Washington, Feb. 11.—
Indian Delegation.
A delegation of Apaches, Chiricahuas, and Mescaleros from San Carlos Indian reservation called on the commissioner of Indian affairs to-day and expressed themselves as much pleased with the result of their observations at Carlisle and Hampton Indian school, and declared they intended to go home and devote their attention to agriculture.
Feb. 12, 1884: Critic Record: [Cherokee; Shawnee]
The Shawnee Indians.
A delegation of three Shawnee Indian chiefs, from the Indian Territory, in company with Hon. D. W. Bushyhead, of the Cherokee Nation, recited their grievances to Commissioner Price this morning. They are here for the purpose of petitioning Congress to hereafter make provision for the distribution of appropriations among the entire nation, including the half-bloods and colored citizens adopted into the tribes. The last appropriation of $300,000 was paid out to full-bloods alone.
March 18, 1884: Palatka Daily News [Palatka, Fla.]: [unid.]
Ex.-Senator McDonald arrived in Washington, Saturday night, and was in conference yesterday with part of the Indian delegation in reference to the conference on the Morrison tariff bill. He wants a caucus and decisive action in favor of the bill.
April 10, 1884: Evening Star: [Osage]
Ten Osage Indians, of the Indian Territory, called on the Commissioner of Indian affairs to-day and urged their objections to the allotment bill recently passed by the Senate. The Indians prefer to have a tribal patent issued which will place the title to the land in the entire tribe. They are opposed to the allotment of land in severalty and the issue of individual patents.
April 10, 1884: Critic Record: [Osage]
Opposed to lands in Severalty.
A delegation of ten Osage Indians called at the Indian office to-day. The delegation pay their own expenses. It is here for the purpose of protesting against the clause in the Indian bill giving Indians lands in severalty, but desired land patented to the tribe.
April 11, 1884: Evening Star: [Osage]
What the Osage Indians Want.
The Osage Indian delegation, now in this city, to-day called upon Secretary Teller and presented a formal request to be considered hereafter as a civilized tribe. They want to be included in all laws with the five civilized tribes, “”making six civilized tribes,” as they express it. The Secretary told them he would so recommend to the present Congress, but they must in that case act like civilized tribes, farm, raise stock, send their children to school, etc. The chiefs replied by reminding the Secretary that the Osage council recently passed a compulsory education law, requiring all their people to send their children to school, and that their school houses are now full. The chiefs will go this evening to see some of their children, pupils at Hampton. These Indians are very well off financially, having an extensive bank account, the proceeds of sales of their lands. They live upon the interest of their money, which is sufficient to support them, and this has in the past been to some extent a disadvantage, as they have had little inducement to labor. The chiefs are tall, fine looking, and proud of their money.
April 17, 1884: Evening Leader [Grand Rapids, Mich.]: [Osage]
Basically verbatim story from Evening Star April 11. Main difference is, “They visited the Hampton school, where they have children” [so that excursion can be more closely dated]
April 25, 1884: Fort Smith Elevator [Fort Smith, Ark.]: [Osage]
Basically verbatim story from Evening Star April 11.
Aug. 13, 1884: Evening Star: [Comanche, Kiowa]
An Indian Delegation.—A delegation of Kiowa and Comanche Indians, consisting of Quanah (Parker), Permansur (Black Star), Big Bow, Howling Wolf, and Tahawson and wife, in charge of Interpreter McCusker, arrived in the city last night and were at the Interior department to-day. The object of their visit is to ascertain if their tribes can get permission to leave part of their lands, and if so what steps are necessary to do so. They are offered good terms for leases of some of their lands, and the Indians want to lease them if they can receive and use the money to be paid. Acting Secretary Joslyn is to give them a hearing to-morrow.
Aug. 14, 1884: Evening Star: [Comanche, Kiowa]
Want to Leave Their Lands.
Kiowas and Comanches Come to Washington for Advice
The delegation of Kiowa and Comanche Indians, now in the city, had a conference with Acting Secretary Joslyn and Acting Indian Commissioner Stevens to-day relative to leasing portions of their reservation for grazing purposes. They represented that cattle-owners are willing to lease lands of these tribes now idle and to employ Indians as herders. The drift of the Indian talk was that their people have abandoned aboriginal ideas and methods and are seeking ways to support themselves and make money. Most of them think that the leasing of their lands will yield them an income and be the means of teaching them how to graze and care for cattle, but some of the old men oppose this, and the delegation wanted the government’s advice, saying the obstinate men of the tribe will hearken to that. One of the Indians, a young and intelligent looking man, nicely dressed in civilized clothing, said he worked for some of the cattle owners and made money. He added that the Indians have plenty of land, but it does not “grow money,” and they want to make some for themselves.
Acting Secretary Joslyn directed the Indian office to write a letter for the delegation to take back, advising their tribes to lease portions of their land for a short term of several years, that they may see how it works.
Aug. 14, 1884: Sacramento Daily Union: [Comanche, Kiowa, Wichita]
Indian Delegation.
Washington, August 13th.—A delegation of Comanche, Kiowa and Wichita Indians was at the Interior Department to-day to ascertain the proper course to be pursued in leasing their lands. They desire to lease between two and three million acres in Indian Territory to cattle men.
Aug. 15, 1884: Evening Star: [Comanche, Kiowa]
The Red Brethren Go Home Happy.—The delegation of Kiowa and Comanche Indians, which has been here several days, had another conference with Acting Commissioner Stevens today, and have returned home satisfied. They asked for a farmer, a blacksmith and a physician for their reservation, saying that in case of sickness they now have to go forty miles for a doctor. It was agreed that these should be sent them.
Dec. 2, 1884: Evening Star: [Cheyenne]
The Cheyenne Indians who are in the city called at the White House to-day, to apy their respects to the Great Father.
Dec. 3, 1884: Evening Star: [Arapaho, Cheyenne]
Indians Gone Home.--The delegation of Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indians, twenty-six in number, in charge of Capt. Pratt, who arrived here Monday [Dec. 1], left this morning on the B. and P. R. R. for their homes, going by way of Carlisle, Pa., where they will visit the Indian school.
Dec. 3, 1884: Cleveland Leader: [Arapaho, Cheyenne]
An Indian Delegation.
A delegation of Arrapahoe and Cheyenne Indians, from the Indian Territory, called upon the Secretary of the interior to-day. Their object was to secure a legal title to their land, which the Secretary told them could be accomplished by actual settlement, and allotment in severalty.