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James Cox - My Native Land
death, they are dragged to the door of the slaughter-house and passed through the hands of half-naked
bucks, who seem to glory in the profusion of blood, and eagerly seek the position on account of the
perquisites attached to it in the way of tempting (?) morsels which usually go to the dogs or on the refuse
heap. The beef is issued as fast as it can be cut up, at the rate of half a pound a day for each person,
regardless of age; bacon is also issued as a part of the meat ration.
CHAPTER IX. CIVILIZATION - ACTUAL AND ALLEGED.
Tried in the Balances and Found Wanting - Indian Archers - Bow and Arrow Lore - Barbarous Customs
that Die Slowly - "Great Wolf," the Indian Vanderbilt - How the Seri were Taught a Valuable Lesson -
Playing with Rattlesnakes with Impunity.
Does Prohibition prohibit? is a question politicians and social reformers ask again and again. Does
civilization civilize? is a question which is asked almost exclusively by persons who are interested in the
welfare of the American Indian, and who come in daily contact with him.
In the preceding chapter we have seen some little of the peculiar habits of the American Indian, civilized
and otherwise, and it will be interesting now to see to what extent the white man's teaching has driven
away primeval habits of living, hunting and fighting. Within the last few weeks, evidence of a most
valuable character on this question has been furnished by the report submitted to the Secretary of the
Interior by the Commission sent to investigate matters concerning the five civilized tribes of Indians in
the Indian Territory. This says that they have demonstrated their incapacity to govern themselves, and
recommends that the trust that has been reposed in them by the Government should be revoked.
The courts of justice have become helpless and paralyzed. Murder, violence and robbery are an
every-day occurrence. It was learned by the Commission that fifty-three murders occurred in the months
of September and October in one tribe only, and not one of the culprits was brought to justice. The
Dawes Commission recommends that a large portion of the Indian reservation be annexed to Oklahoma;
this action to be followed by forming that country into a Territory. But to accomplish this, it would be
necessary that the consent of the Indians be obtained, and this is doubtful.
The statement that the Indians have cast aside their ancient weapons and adopted more modern ones, and
that through the use of them, they are gradually extending their hunting grounds beyond the lines of their
reservations, is false. The report of the Commission makes this clearly known. Throughout the West the
Indians still trust to their bows and arrows. On the northwest coast most of the Indians live by hunting
and fishing. They use principally the bow and arrow, knife, war club and lance. In the North Pacific
Ocean are several islands inhabited only by Indians. In the Queen Charlotte and the Prince of Wales
Archipelago is found one of the most remarkable races of aborigines on the American continent. These
are the Haida tribes, and consist of strikingly intelligent Indians. They acquire knowledge readily; learn
trades and exhibit much ingenuity in following the teachings of missionaries and traders. But for all that,
they still cling with something bordering upon affection to the primitive weapons of their race.
During the long winter nights the old Indians seat themselves before the fire and carve bows, ornament
club handles, and feather and point arrows. Perhaps in some of the tepees hang polished guns furnished
by the Government, but they are more for ornament than use. This evening work is accompanied by the
low croaking of some old Indian, who tells over again the legends, folk-lore and nursery tales of their
grandfathers and grandmothers.
The Haida tribe is more rapidly advancing in civilization than any of its neighbors, yet they still carve
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