Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-08-06
REPLY OF TIE GOVERNOR.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
Al Ii 90

hADI0oN, ooly 20, IOoo.
Hon. T. W1NsoR, County Judge, Mansion,
Juneau Co.:
DEAR SIR: Your communication of the
9th inst, relative to the Indians stated to
be held in custody at New Lisbon, by or.
der of Gen. Smith, is received. In compli-
ance with your suggestion, [ have for
warded to that officer a copy of your let
ter, recommending to him such action as
may be deemed most advisable for the
purpose of restoring and preserving quiet
among the people, and preventing further
difficulty.
There appears to exist among portion
of the people of the counties frequented by
the Indians, a great misrepresentation as to
the duties, as well as the power, of the
Executive in regard TO them. From such
information as | have been able to obtain,
| understand the Indians to be a portion
of the Winnebagoes, for the most part,
who formerly owned the lands which they
now frequent, and that some of them re-
fused to migrate when their tribe was re.
moved to the West, while others returned
after having been removed, preferring to
sacrifice their annuitles rather than re-
main West. Having thus no rights in
this State, and being constant source of
vexation and annoyance, the occasion of
trouble, and the standing reason for excite.
ment and panics among the people of that
part of the State, ] have, some weeks
since urged upon the Department of the
Interior that measures Ongbt to be taken
to remove them TO the reservation of their
tribe, taking the ground that the Govern
ment having purchased the lands, and
opened them for purchase and settlement,
it is bound to protect the settlers in the
| peaceful enjoyment of the lands which
they have bought. | regret to be obliged
| to say that, thus far, have not found the
Department disposed to take immediate
action, but | still hope for success, and
shall not spare the necessary efforts to
cause the removal of this futile source of
| trouble.
But many of the people of your section
OF the Slate seem to imagine that |, as the
executive, have but to command these In
dams to leave the country, in order to
bring abont the desired result and have
been somewhat surprised at the tenor OF
sundry complaints forwarded to this office
as well as some to be found in this public
prints. The people who make these COM
plants surely do not reflect that can do
nothing In reference to their Indians, eX-
cept to assist the people Of the several TO-
calities to defend themselves in case of a
serious attack. | have no army at my
disposal to be stationed in those counties,
and have thus far failed to see any good
reason for the alarm manifested. The
murder of Mrs. Salter appears to have
been the work of few of the savages,
maddened by liquor furnished them at the
very place where the deed was commit.
ted, but such an occurrence surely gives
no good ground for the excitement crea.
ted. Still, liz order to prevent and remove
all possible occasion for such occurrences
and the resulting panics, the Indians sho'd
be removed.
| find it difficult to account, to my own
satisfaction, for the different tone exhibit
ed with regard to those vagrant savages,
in different communications received by
the, and in the press of the locality
While some letters, petitions and CONVEX
sations come, highly excited, estimating
the number of Indians at from 700 to 1000.
and assert that they are constantly MUIR
dering and plunderlng the people, and
causing the Inhabitants OF whole town
ships to abandon their homes in terror.
others come, laughing at what are termed
the absurd fears of the first, asserting that
the panic is manufactured in the interest
OF parties who are jealous Of the Indians,
privilege of hunting and picking berries
and that there is no such fear OF the Indi-
ans as the others represent, and that there
will be no difficulty if the savages are let
alone
Under these circumstances, I can only
do what | have done,-call upon the gov
eminent to remove the nuisance,-urge
the people to toru companies under the
militia law, so that they will at least have
the feeling of security arising from having
legally armed bodies of men among them.
who can be called out in case of emergency
and await the evident occasion for fur.
Their action. At the call of the sheriff T
have. sent supply of arms to the county,
but even these cannot lawfully allow to
remain beyond the immediate emergency
unless companies are formed under the
militia law to receive them. Of course |
such comanies would not be called awav |
from their locality at any time, SO long as
there was any possible need for them at |
home.
l cannot remove the Indians, having no |
place to remove them to, and must act |
through the General Government. l GER
tainly do not see the occaeion for such |