The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-10-11
INDIAN OUTRAGEs IN WESTERN KANSAS.


Murders, Ravishment, and Theft Laid to the
Charge Of the Pawnee, 0ttoe, and Omaha
Tribes-Cornfelds Robbed and Agricultural
Implements Carried off-The Settlers Ordered
Away and Threatened with Death-An Official
Investigation to be Had-The Indian Chiefs
Asked to Participate, Etc.
WASHINGTON, October 9-The Commissioner
OF IndIau Affairs has received q despatch from
b. b. Taylor, superintendent of Inoian Affairs
for the Northern Superlntendency, enclosing
letter nom Major-General w. +. Cloud, who
was appointed special agent by the Governor
of Kansas 10 investigate certain murders and
depredatons alleged to have been committed by
the Omaha, Pawnee, and Ottoe Indians. Gene
raj Cloud in his report says-
have the honor to inform you that conse.
quent upon the preparation of certain murders
and other outrages committed against the cti-
zens of Western Kansas during the past spring
and summer | have been appointed by the
Governor of Kansas special agent to collect the
facts, and to bring the parties to justice. In
prosecuting my work have visited the scene of
murder and outrage, and have learned many
facts, lew of which are as follows: :-One man
was Killed on the 18th OF May, while near three
companions, who were at their claims upon
tributary OF the Solomon river.
He VAS shot by three Indians, who were
dressed in United States uniform, and armed
with revOlvers and sabres. They were un-
douUtedly Pawnees, as many OF them, similarly
dressed and armed, have frequently passed
through the settlements exhibiting discharges
from the service as Pawnee scouts. The man
killed was scalped. The Indians at the same
time took two mules and a horse
On or about the 18th of May six men were
killed. No testimony OF eye-witnesses can be
obtained, but the presence of Pawnees and
Ottoes at and near the place of murder, both
before and after the same, together with the
fact that some of the men were killed by arrows,
and that many arrows, taken out OF their bodies
and picked up along the line of retreat, were
Pawnee and Ottoe arrows, can be readily sus-
tanned; as also that threats were made against
the life of one of the murdered men by members
OF both tribes few days before the occurrence
OF the murders. These murders were undoubt-
edly committed by Pawnee and Ottoe indians.
In the month OF July, settlement upon White
hoCk river was VISITED by Pawnees, who TOOK
corn from the fields and robbed the people of
agricultural implements, TOOLS etc, and having
surprised family in camp, during the absence
of the husband and father, they took the woman
away, and after subjecting her to ravishmcnt by
a large number, supposed TO exceed forty. they
lett her, where her friends found her in the
morning in state of nsensibilty.
Ia the month of August Pawnees and Omahas
to the number OF more tnan eight hundred
visited a settlement upon a tributary of the
Solomon, and took possession OF the fields of
corn, and when demonstrated with by the
owners they claimed the land upon which the
farms were located as hunting and trapping
ground. They ordered the settlers off, using
menaces and threats OF death if they old not
go, and If they ever returned. They remained
in this threatening manner until the people lett.
Such acts OF h ostilty and violations OF treaties
call for Justice and indemnity. This the settlers
desire TO obtain under the laws; and that the
matters may be prepared in a proper form, the
various witnesses and parties interested intend
to meet at Lake Slbley, upon the Republican
river, about the 10Th OF October and proceed in
the INVESTIGATION before an officer OF the law. |
have visited the Ottoes and they agreed to meet
us, and take part in the examination of arrows
| desire the presence OF ChieTs and head men of
the Pawnee and Omaha tribes, and sincerely
desire your official cooperation in securing their
presence.
| would respectfully present the fact that
these ot-repeated outrages bave caused Il deep
feeling and a strong determination on the part
of the entire citizenship OF the State to obtain
Justice and safety, and Inasmuch as the above
mentioned tribes lie under these suspicious, it
will prove much to their interest to render every
possible assistance in securing tull and impair
tial investigation. Your obedient servant,
w. f. CLOUD,
Major-General Kansas State Militia.
In reply TO General Clouds communication,
Superintendent Taylor states that he felt en-
tirelv confident that the PaWnee and Omaha
Indians are guiltless, but that the Ottoes are
not above suspicion. He mentions, and it may
turn out upon investigation, that they DartiCi
pated in the disturbances. He suggests that
the proposed day of the investigation be post
poned to such time as would enable him to
secure the attendance of one or more Of the
chiefs OF the tribes named An eG pdTte state
ment, he says, will at best prove unsatisfactory,
and can settle nothing definitely. While the
Department is ready to redress any wrongs
committed by treaty Indians, upon satisfactory
testimony, it will resolutely protest against any
loss CT punishment for alleged otfenses, wher e
the testimony is vague or unC ertain, or where it
is taken in such a manner as to afford no Op-
nVtr Itxy fn,,p pxT Nnpa tiptNn nm 10.