The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1858-12-28

The indian Troubies I'm tho North.
west.
In response to the letter Of j. L. Prescott.
and the comments of the press, Mr.. Withrow
Private Secretary Of the Governor, writes 4
communication to the Davenport Gazette.
From this communication we make the fol-
lowing exit acts:
Charles Smsltssr, County Judge of Clay
county, 10 his letter to the Governor, used
the following language:
- have been urged, time and again, for
the last few days, to write to you on the SUBJ
Jsct OF the necessity of some better protec-
tion OF our frontier. Rumors came to my
ears that there were Indians lnrking among
us, and to satisfy myself, | have been out on
the scout. To my surprise, saw numerous
trails OF Indians and some Indians. One
band, processing TO befriendly, still show
that cxacting and domineering spirit which
argues to my mind that they are lurking for
no good. ! have been to Spirit Lake and
there found great excitement. | found In
dams there, the chief Of whom represented
himself is brother Of Inkpedutah, and pro-
fessed to have no friendly feeling towards
the whites. Miss Gardner, one of the cap
tivcs in the spring Of 1857, thought she re-
cognized some Of the band who held her cap.
tive. have every reason to believe that tho
whole frontier Ia full of them. Unless steps
are taken soon, our interests will suffer great
ly. i have given you the facts, and beg of
you to take some measures to protect us
both life and property"
Judge Palmer, OF Spirit Lake, Dickinson
county, wrote as follows:
"There are numerous bands Of Indians
lowering about the frontier, who have made
several attempts to get into the houses Of the
settlers, but so far have been baffled. 1t is
Supposed that they wish to get into the hous
o. so that they can see the situation and po-
sition of everything pertaining thereto, that
they may be able to take any advantage 10
case they wish to make an attack. Another
source Of apprehension is the fact that there
are several here who lost property and friends
by the depredations and massacre Of 1857,
and it is almost impossible TO restrain them
from shooting Indians wherever and when
ever they can find them. There are Indians
camped on Spirit Lake at present, and there
have been several other bands seen in this
vicinity, during the last few days. Nearly
oil the horses in the neighborhood have dis
appeared, and it is believed that they have
been stolen by the Indians. The settlers are
keeping guard night and day. Arms, and
especially ammunition, are very scarce here,
and, owing to the hard times, il 10 almost I'm
possible for the settlers to provide for them
seves. / therefore solicit your earliest at
tention to this subject, believing lou will see
the Importance OF it, and take the accessory
means for protecting the frontier"
Accompanying the above and other letters
upon the subject, was petition representing
that
s'Indians have just been seen in thi. vicin-
ity, and, though they profess to be friendly, |
no confidence can be placed in their remain
Ing so. Besides, it is impossible for us to dis
ungnish between friendly and hostile Indians,
and the experience OF Last winter shows that
both may at any time be among u.s."
The petition concludes "The memory Of
the late massacre is too vivid, and the hos
tile incursion Of last winter is too recent to
allow US to exercise proper degree of judg-
ment IN discriminating between friendly In
dams and those who are hostile, especially
when we know that mistaken opinion for a
few moments only would place the lives of
| ourselves and our families in danger. We
would, therefore, request that an armed force
be stationed for tho winter ut some point in
this yicnity.p
This petition was signed by Abigail Gard
ner (now Mrs. Sharp, believe,) one Of the
captive women Of 1857; Orlando 9. Howe,
District Attorney elect for the Fourth Judi
cal District: R. W. Wheclock, and over
thirty other inhabitants of Dickinson county.
The law makes it the duty Of the Governor
to call out the Company when, In his iudg-
meni, based upon ''relablc informasion,' ,,
either the olives or the property" of the cit
liens Of this State are in danger.
Governor Lowe, upon ordering out the
Company, ordered an investigation Of the
whole matter. His information from rela
bic sources shows that he acted properly in
the premises. Major William Williams, the
commander of the expedition of 1857, and an
old citizen OF the frontier, in Il letter under
date Of the l4th inst. says
THAT protection should be given am sat
isfed.' There can be me- doubt of the from
tier settlements being in danger. know
these Indians we'll. know all the leading
spirits among them personally. They are
the same Indians we used to keep in check at
this fort. For. Dodge.) am we'll ac
quainted with pa-du-tah, Umrhashata.
Titonka, Mo -ko-p -ka mon, Ish-.a .ha ba
Red Joe, Cas-om-inee, and all OF their lead !
ers. This marauding band Is made up of
desperadoes from the Yankton, Little Rock
and Red Top bands principally, mixed with
some half. breeds. They are full of resaliA-
ton, and, in my opinion, will make descent
upon our frontier settlers, when they least ex :
pect IL. They are a willy Indian and require
watching. There is line OF frontier, saw
from Chain Lakes to Granger's Point, thence
to Spirit and Okobagee Lakes, thence down
south IA Tar as Waterman's Greek or Smith.
land, IN all distance something like 100
miles, that is certainly very much exposed,
and in my opinion can have but little proteo-
ton from Fort Ridgeley or Fort Randall
where troops are stationed. The troops at
Ridceiey are at the nearest poiat ut least GO
OF 10 miles distant. Fort Randall is farther.
They could not from either plass give any
assistance, other than following tho Indians
after the depredations are committed. All
who know anything about the Isdan charac-
ter know that their mode Of warfare Is sur
prise and steaithy movements"
II LAaoK DAMAcK.-A breach Of promise
!. casa a on trial In nu.e 49,