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4 CLAIMS OF OMAHA INDIANS. were taken by some of the worst of the Nebraska Winnebagoes when they were about to visit Wisconsin Indians, and wer sold en route, or were sold in Wisconsin. There is a large party of the Winnebagoes known as the "Dancing Indians," who refuse to yield to civilizing influences, who keep up their vicious dancing, and with it all sorts of lawless practices; these are the ones who frequently leave the reservation and go up to Wisconsin, on a visit, and who entertain their friends from Wisconsin with war dances and the like when they come to Nebraska. These are the Indians who without question have stolen he Omaha horses and swam them across the Missouri River. Mr. Ashley, the very efficient overseer and farmer for the Omahas, has been cognizant of the loss of many of these horses. I have full notes of the testimony of each Indian in relation to this matter, but do not deem it necessary to go into the details of their testimony unless the Department shall require it. Mr. Edward Foley, an intelligent white man of good character, testified that he assisted the Indians in the recovery of some eight horses in September, 1878. He found that these horses had been stolen by the Winnebagoes, and that they sold them with the sheriffs in different counties in Iowa, employed attorneys and followed up the matter in the courts until he recovered the horses. The Omahas promised him compensation, and now fully recognize and acknowledge his claim, as they stated to me, and as their delegation also stated in Washington. That same season 40 ponies were taken from the Omahas. They frequently saw Winnebagoes prowling around. They tracked them by their moccasins, and were told by the white people across the Missouri, who knew the Winnebagoes, that they saw parties of the latter having their horses; sometimes they offered them for sale. The agent at that time was Jacob Vore. He applied for funds for hunting up ponies, and obtained a small amount. Six fine ponies we taken AUgust 13, and the Indians were interrupted int heir work for the need of them. Mr. Farley finally agreed to hunt them up for on-half their value. The agent had $40, which Mr. Farley expended towards the expenses. These 6 ponies were worth some $400 or $500, and he recovered them all through processes of the various courts. He recovered one pony three times, as various white people laid claim to him. He had with him two Indians. He owes $30 to one attorney, H. F. Appleton, and he paid him $10 out of his own pocket. The agent paid altogether $100 towards expenses. Mr. Farley testifies that he paid out $60 in cash, besides wages for two months. His present claim is $260, and as the Indians acknowledge it, and as all testimony was agreed that he is an honorable man, I would recommend, first, that he be paid out of whatever moneys shall be set apart to meet this claim for the ponies. I would recommend, secondly, that inasmuch as the Omahas have lost a total of 173 ponies since 1871 and traceable to the Winnebagoes, partly to those residing on the Nebraska Reservation, who have taken them when about to start on a visit tot he Wisconsin Winnebagoes, and partly to the Wisconson Winnebagoes, who have taken them after a visit to their friends on the Nebraska Reservation; that the worth of these ponies at a fair valuation be deducted from the annuity money which has been retained for the Wisconsin Winnebagoes, and which is now claimed by the Nebraska Winnebagoes. I would recommend that an average of $30 for each pony be allowed, and be paid to the individual claimants, according to the evidence submitted ot me, making a total sum sum of $5,190. Herewith please find, Exhibit A, the names of the various persons who claim that the ponies have been stolen from them by the Winnebagoes, and the number from each. * * * * * * * I am, sir, very respectfully, C. H. HOWARD, United Stats Indian Inspector Hon. S. J. KIRKWOOD, Secretary of the Interior, Washington, D. C. [[end page]] [start page]] CLAIMS OF OMAHA INDIANS. 5 EXHIBIT A.--Statement showing names of Omahas claiming horses stolen by the Winnebagoes, with number stolen from each. [[2 column table]] Names of Indians | Number of horses stolen. Shining Tail | 5 Jim Dick | 7 Sioux Solomon | 4 Little Star | 2 Ga-he-ga | 1 Four Eyes | 1 Old Man Bone | 5 Thos. McCawley | 5 Standing in Prairie, reported by Old Man Bone | 2 Buffalo Bill | 4 Yellow Smoke | 1 Back Walker | 4 Wa-ke-de | 2 Wa-sah-pa | 1 James Springer | 2 White Weazel | 2 Badger | 3 Big Elk | 4 Run-in-the-midst | 4 Na-ga-wa-ka 1 Little Gray Wolf | 1 Me-ha-tan | 1 Little Deer | 3 Elk | 3 Blackbird | 2 Singer | 3 Tom Baxter | 1 Little Soldier | 1 Ebe Homber--two belonging to Mo-glel-ahe | 3 Little Village Maker | 2 Rusty Knife | 2 Little Chief | 3 Jno. Springer | 2 Geo. Mevick | 5 Lone Buffalo | 1 No Knife | 1 Smoking Walker | 1 Steven Guitar, reported by John Pitcher | 1 Little Shooter | 1 None-to-teach | 2 Hook Pere | 2 John Dick, for sister, Betsey Dick | 4 Louis Sansouci | 5 Lone Fork | 2 Taming horse by Louis Sansouci | 3 Havey Blackbird, by Louis Sansouci | 2 Cha-za-minga | 1 Walker, for Treetops | 1 Four Nail | 2 Edward Miller, for Geo. Miller | 2 Edward Miller, for Nemaha..... | 1 One White Buffalo (an old woman), reported by Two Crows | 1 Two Crows | 16 Wm. Spencer | 1 Oo-m-ba-chiza, reported by Policeman Winner | 1 Man-not-Afraid-of-Panthers | 2 Al-a-Hogomani | 1 Big Black Bear | 2 Oo-zo-goke, reported by Mr. Ashley | 1 White Buffalo | 4 T-he-Watha, reported by Cyrus Phillip | 1 Wa-ja-pa, reported by two Crows | 4 Jo La Fleische | 5 Brave | 6 Lion | 1 Blood | 1 Ta-the-tha | 1 Bathers | 1 Meh-pee | 1 Snatch-the-Leg | [[underlined]] 1 [[/underlined]] Total | 173 [[/table]] S. Ex. 46----2 0
