Article-1841, May 27

May 27, 1841.

   Mr. Editor,— We made our arrangements to leave the school for this station (Kickapoo) on Thursday, May 20th; but were prevented from starting by the arrival of brother William Johnson and two chiefs of the Kansas nation, bringing with them, to the school, nine boys, from the age of perhaps nine to thirteen years. This was an interesting sight to us. They were all on horseback, and although they had blankets they had laid them aside as they rode along, and were naked when they arrived. One especially was an object of interest. He was a fine looking boy, ten or twelve years old, well proportioned; and his whole estate, real and personal, was a red string of the thickness of his finger tied round his waist. He was an orphan, and the missionary bought him from his friends. The price was one blanket.

   The children were procured by the chief and brother Johnson under such arrangements as to secure their stay at the school until they have received a suitable education. Even their parents cannot remove them without an order signed by the Government agent, the superintendent of the school, the missionary on the Kansas, and the principal chief of the nation. In order that the whole might be fully understood, the agent was immediately sent for, and a council held….

   The boys were soon dressed, and appeared quite pleased with their new home; but, poor fellows, when it came to dressing themselves the next morning, they were at their wits end; for, when discovered, they were busily engaged in arranging their pantaloons, wrong side out, and the forepart behind. The next thing was to give them names. This done we all repaired to the dining room for breakfast, soon after which we started for the Kickapoo….

Yours affectionately,
James M. Jameson
Indian Country, May 27, 1841.

[From the Western Advocate, v.VIII, p.161, Jan. 28, 1842. Copy in MSS. Dept., K.S.H.S.]