Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1854-12-13
EVENING STAR.
From the New York E1pre.s.l
FURTHER INDIAN TROUBLES In NEW
MEYINn w

| ANOAnN 1HOU6LkS In NEW
| MEXICO.
BY private correspondence of tho d.to
of October Goth, we have inform ot;on
from Fort Defiance, New Mexico, to tn,
following effect:
About two weeks prior to that date, q
private belonging to the command of Ma.
Jor U. L.. Shepherd, stationed at that post.
was shot by Navahoe Indian. within q
mile from the garrison. AS friendly re.
lations existed with the tribe, and as no
danger, in any event, was apprehended
at spot so near to the military station,
the soldier was wholly unarmed. The
savage, taking advantage of this circum
stance, out of pure malice, and, so far as
appears, without any provocation, trans
liked him with an arrow. Whether it
was poisoned or not is unknown; but the
wound it inflicted was so severe that the
man died on the following day.
The matter being taken up by the COM
manding officer, it was contended on the
part of the tribe, that it was simply a
case of individual murder; and that the
nation, as such, not having sanctioned
the crime, were not responsible for it's
commission. A demand for the delivery
of the offender being made, however, a
grand ''jNntOs," or council of the tribe.
was held about the Goth of October at a
place some sixty miles distant from the
fort, to consider the question of giving
him up. The Indian Agent, Capt. Dodge,
seems to have been present upon the oc-
casion. AS the offender was s'pelado," !"
or pennyleSs-person-one of class
which constitutes large majority of the
nation-but little expectation was enter
tanned that they would come to the con-
elusion Of delivering him up. 1t seems
that hitherto, in their dealings with the
Mexicans, they have been in the habit of
making recompense for the taking of hu-
man life, by giving over horses, cattle,
and sheep, in quantities proportioned to
the Importance of their victim. This
custom formed an additional ground OF
doubt as to their compliance with the
requisition. The Navahoes are the most
numerous people in all that country.
But, although the largest, it is estimated
that they are not SO difficult to wage war
against as the UtahG. The former, for
the most part, lead pastoral life, their
property consists of hocks and herds;
while the latter are more wandering,
worthless and warlike in their habits,
and subsist by hunting, fishing and
filching.
In spite of all probabilities, howe yer,
it seems that the Council finally con-
eluded to give up the offender. SO, at
all events, they promised Captain Dodge,
who was present. Whether they will
fulfill their pledges or not is another
question. Perhaps as much doubt may
be entertained of that as was entertained
OF their giving the promise at all. In
case Of their noncompliance, hostilities
will necessarily grow out of the affair
IS an example of an unpunished murder
of this kind would be most disastrous in
its influence upon the surrounding tribes.
That region is but wild and lawless
district at best, and American command
ing officers there are necessarily vested
with q wide discretion-with something
like pro-consular powers.
The incident related, and numberless
others of like character, illustrate the
necessity of speedy compliance with
the Presidents message which recon-
mends an increase in the army. 1t is
absolutely necessary to the protection of
the frontier.
Perhaps another recommendation, con-
tanned in the same document, of equal
Importance, is of equal propriety, and
greater justice-namely an increase of
pay for those who are engaged in this
hard service.
As things now exist, we find gentle
men of military education, of experience
and talets, after fifteen or twenty years
of service, living upon salary less than
that of clerk in dry goods store and
that, after numberless exposures in bat
tie, and life of constant hardships, vi
cissitudes and danger, upon our unquiet
and savage western border. Let this be
looked to at once. Let no political huck-
stering defeat it-no party movements
overshadow it. 1t is but justice; and a
great nation, with an overhowing treas
ury, can have no excuse for refusing it.