Stans Stuff Issue 39
Sam Rivers, Indian Agent Chapter 51
By: Stan Jordan
We are still here at the fort. We have had many talks with General Kearney on the north/south situation about slavery and emancipation.
The general said, “This is 1859 and Washington does not anticipate any trouble this year, but the future looks like trouble on down the road. But I think we should talk about this a lot and make plans in case trouble comes. I know we don’t have, or will get any more blankets for the Indians, but we will continue to help when we can. We will help with the gardening and getting in their winter meat supply. I will send the four soldiers with you as before and Rooster will still be our runner between agency and the fort. I want you and Callie to talk about what you will do if Sam is called into the army. Of course we would have to close the Indian agency.
Callie spoke up and said, “General Kearney, Yellow Tulip has been with us for four years. She speaks English pretty well, she knows the ABC’s and can write a little. If things get bad, could she go to your school here at the fort? She is good with babies and minor injuries and stuff like that. She could work at the base hospital for her room and board. I just don’t want her to go back to the village, not yet anyhow. She has great potential to help the Indian cause down the road.”
The general replied, “Gosh Callie, that has never came up before. I think that would be okay. Yes, I know we can do that. Looking ahead, my goodness, she would be terrific help. Maybe manage the agency? Yes, I think that would be a fine idea. Yes, we must plan ahead.”
Yesterday was February 14, 1859; the boys’ birthday. They are four years old now. The weather was fine and all the children played outdoors. The soldiers and other folks played cards in the mess hall.
We have been back to the agency for a week now. We talk a lot with Yellow Tulip about the possibility of war and maybe she could go the white man’s school at the fort. Her eyes light up, but then she talks about leaving the way of Indian life. Then again she knows she is better off with the white people. She said they are all truthful, and honest, and friendly. I told her we had some rogues or bad people sometimes, but usually they are all good people.
Callie says that Tulip has taken to the white way even down to the cooking. She can do it all and is eager to try. Over the years, she has learned all the cards and we have a foursome and play euchre when Rooster is here.
If you step back and look at us, our way of life here and what we do, we are a very lucky family and with fine friends and surroundings.
See ya!
How about those Indians
By: Stan Jordan
I’m going to deviate a little from the wild life to a sports column.
The Cleveland Indians baseball team is having another banner year. Last year they lost the World Series to the Cubs in seven games and a number of times, just a hit or sacrifice fly would have run the Series for Cleveland, but that the way the ball bounces.
The Indians’ record stands today, at this year at this time with six more home games is 98 wins and 58 losses. That is a very good percentage rate of wins. They have already clinched their Central Standing of the America League.
The Indians have taken on a couple of new infielders this year and they are a very big help.
The club only has to be as good of ball as they have this month and they will be in the World Series again. Yeah! Yeah, Go Tribe!
See ya!
• A man and his wife were sitting on the couch watching a television story. The phone rang and the man answered it.
The man said, “Hello” and listened to the other end. Soon he said, “You don’t say? A little later he said, “You don’t say?” a little later he said, “You don’t say?” This happened the fourth time and the man hung up.
The wife of course wondered what was coming off and asked, “Who was that?” the man replied, “He didn’t say!”
• This blonde went to Meijer and asked the salesperson what that tall thing was on the shelf.
The salesperson said, “It is called a thermos” then explained, “it will keep things warm and it will keep things cold, no dials to read or buttons to push, it just knows what to do.”
So blondie took one with her lunch to the shop on Monday. A friend asked what that object was and she replied and told all about how the thermos worked, it keeps things hot and it keeps things cold!
The friend asked, “What do you have in there?”
Blondie replied, “A cup of coffee and a popsicle.”
• My neighbor man said he came from Kentucky, his hometown was so small that the east and west town signs were on the same post.
He also said the town’s power plant was a Sear’s Die Hard Battery.
• If FedEX would merge with United Parcel it would be called FedUP
• Sayings of Yogi Berra:
People don’t go to that restaurant anymore, it’s so full you can’t get in.
If you come to a “Y” in the road, take it
The game is not over till it’s over
And they pay you off in cash and that is just as good as money
• Sam was such a sloppy eater, he had to keep his neck tie in the refrigerator
• I will meet you on the corner of walk and don’t walk, if you get there first make a mark, if I get there first, I will rub it out
• We know a thing or two because we have seen thing a or two.
Some more on otters
By: Stan Jordan
I received a phone call from a lady over in Woodburn a few weeks ago about the otters being in the river. She was like I am, very interested in the otters. Sometimes they can be very playful and entertaining.
I have contacted the DNR in the state of Ohio about what a variety of wildlife we have here in this area. I’m waiting for some email from them.
I really enjoyed talking to that lady from Woodburn, she was very interested in our wildlife and the Maumee River.
I had a very interesting talk this morning (September 11th) with Chris Walters. He has been a hunter, trader and trapper here in the area for over 30 years and knows this area very well.
I asked if he has caught or seen any otter in this area. He said he has not but he has talked to friends that have seen them around the Maumee River. Yes, he said there are some here.
I asked Chris if he has caught any beavers and he said he has. Yes, they are here.
I asked if he has seen any badgers in the area. He said he hasn’t but he is sure there are some in the area. He knows that some other people have seen them.
See ya!
More of my growling
By: Stan Jordan
A couple of weeks ago when there was a big accident on U.S. 24 and a lot of the semi truck traffic was trying to get back on U.S. 24 by going through Antwerp’s 3 tight curves at the same time. If the traffic had been directed right, it would not have been such a problem.
To my way of thinking, part of the problem still remains, and that is the placing of the white stop lines at this stop light in Antwerp. Too many drivers run past that white line and a truck making a turn does not have enough room, space or distance.
Right at the traffic light here at the cross road of S.R. 49 and C.R. 424, three of the 4 lanes of traffic have white lines that should be moved a little.
The south bound lane of S.R. 49, the white line should be set back north at least 10 feet because if an 18 wheeler coming from the east on C.R. 424 and wants to turn to his right onto S.R. 49, he can’t do it, there is not enough room, the car sitting at that line has to back up for the truck to turn.
The east and west lanes of traffic at that red light, those white stop lines should be set back about 10 feet. and then the trucks could make a turn to the right.
This has been a problem for truck drivers for quite a while and it probably will remain as is.
See ya!
If you want to live in the United States
By: Stan Jordan
If you want to live in the United States you should have to learn to read, write and speak English. That is our language and you must conform. That is the first rule and there is no getting around it.
Second, you must abide by our laws and rules just like we do.
That means everyone! There are people who have been here for years and still don’t speak English.
I don’t know why the powers that be in Washington don’t pass a law to that effect. The main language in America is English.
It would take time, effort and expense, but I think a plan of some type should be enforced, and soon.
Something like this: Any and all persons in the United States who are not citizens of the United States should be made to go and register and be given a booklet or something with lines to show that this person has been going to a class that teaches English. The instructor would sign this person’s booklet every so often to prove he/she is learning English. If this person’s book doesn’t show they are learning English they are deported. No if’s and’s or but’s. He would be given maybe 18 months or 2 years to get started on his English lessons.
Now I know that 6 month migrant workers would not fall into this problem, as most are returning in 6 months, and I know there would be some exceptions, but all of that could be worked out.
It is time to put some type of plan to make English our main language.
See ya!
