AN INDIAN BOY’S LETTER.
Dear Friend: I was born in Grand Island, Neb. in the 15 day of November. My mother was married by a white man, and used to live in Grand Island, and my father was scouting with the Pawnees, and once it rain very hard and he got lightling struck and died; I did not know him, I never seen him, my mother tells me about him. When he died, my mother went back to her home, and lived with her brother, who lived like a white man. In 1869 I went on a hunting bufflos with the Pawnees and Puncas. We went on about three days; they found some bufflos, so all the men got their best horses and fixed them up, and then took their bows and arrows and guns. They went all around them, and then they just run their horses to see who’ill get there first, one man would kill two or three, sometimes four and eight, and they skin them, and take them home, skin and all. The skins is used for mocassins and men legends (leggings). Once I went swimming while the men went after bufflos, while I was in the water I seen a bufllo coming where I was, frightened me to, I had to climbed upon a tree. It was mad, and some men were after him; and had some arrows in him. They killed it, and then I got down, and I seen them skin it. We had lots bufflo meat; we camp the same place, the Indians were drying their meat, so it will less (last) long. After while we went on again, we went on till sun was sat. Next morning they seen some more bufflos; they killed many more; they had to stay there till their meat was dry. We stayed there and then the Indian women got their work things and work on with their skins. They finished them and had lots meat and skins. We return home again.
I just eat dry meat all the time. No town near to buy some bread nor sugar. I used to be hungry for bread. I used to cry for bread. My stepfather had to take me where their was some Pawnees, that did not go on hunting. We got there. I had all the bread I want. I was glad then. The next day we went on and got to a town; and got in the cars, and went on; we got to another town; we get out and went to my home, and then they sent me to school. I went to school four months. I went home again.
After while some of the Pawnees ran away from their homes, went to Indian Territory and stayed there for couple years, had nice time and had many ponies, then one went back home and told them it was very nice down the Territory, and it made part of the Chiefs think it would be nice to go down there. They used to have a counsil all day, and had a counsil one year. One Chief did not want to go down there; that was Lone Chief, because he liked that place, because the Pawnees were civilized when they were up there. They commencing putting up their houses, and farming. They went down there. I went down with them. When I was there, I used to work on my farm. I have got a farm my own. I use to go to school in winter. I had been wanting to go to school somewhere else. I am very glad they took me to Hampton School. I think my friends will help me all they can. I want to learn all I can at Hampton School and stay here till four or five years, my mother was willing for me to go to school and be among the white people, and when I went to Indian Territory, and I went to the day school one year, and the next year I went to the Boarding School. I never use to talk English one year ago, but the Agent at my home, keep me at his office where there was many white men were writing. They use to talk to me all the time in English, and then I learn how, and then I use to interpret for the Agent.
When we first went down to the Territory, there use to be many sickness; they used to die; they were not use to in warm country. Once I was sick. I had the chills and favor. I near died. I got well again; before I came away, I plow part of my field and sowed some wheat, but I have got brothers who will work at my field while I am away, and keep my horses good, and houses. Some white people used to want to take me. When I was at home I used to write to Col. Meachem, to help me to go to some school. He did help me, and I am glad I went to Hampton School. I am trying to be a good boy, and study all I can. The only thing troubles me is Geography, that is the only thing I have to try hard.
Yours truly,
James Murie.