The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1869-11-19
COwLEY COUNTY.
The Usage Indians Getting Troublesome.
Organization OF a Citizens Protective
Union.

On Wednesday we had call from
Mr.. w. w. Andrews, of Cowley coun-
ty, from whom we have late intelligence
from that new county.
There is beginning to be some anxiety
about threatened troubles with the In
dams, and Mr.. A. was on his way to To-
peka to lay before the Governor a petit
ton signed by almost every legal voter
in that county, asking him to take meas
ures for their safety. He also brought
us the proceedings of meeting lately
held there, at which "Citizens Protec-
tive Union" was organized, the consti-
tuition, bylaws aud resolutions of which
we publish below.
Mr.. Andrews informs us that immi-
grants are pouring into that county at a
rapid rate. Nine families arrived the
morning he left, and dozens more are
now on their way thither. It is becom-
ing well known that Cowley is one of
the best timbered, watered and agricul-
tural counties in the State, and between
this and next summer the rush will be
great.
Mr.. Andrews says there has been no
outbreak with the Indians yet, but they
are saucy, and are committing petty
thefts among the settlers. Where the
men are about home in considerable
numbers the Indians do not disturb any
one, but they watch, and when they find
the men absent they visit the houses and
compel the women to cook meals for
them, after which they load their ponies
with provisions and leave. When they
can find two or three settlers out from
other settlements, they make regular
business of robbing them. The Indians
assert that they will not hurt anybody,
but that settlers shall not open claims
below the mouth of Dutch creek. They
have robbed and driven back all who
have ventured below that point, and the
settlers, knowing their treachery, fear
trouble will break out.
1t must be recollected that these set
tiers are not on land where the Indians
object to their going, further than that
they want to save their hunting ground.
We hope the Governor viii take speedy
and decided action in the matter, and do
all in his power to relieve the demands
of these enterprising people. They have
gone on to these lands with the assur-
ance from Superintendent Hoag that
they should have peaceable possession
of them. Notwithstanding the prom
Uses the store of G. NJ. Wood was burn
ed by the Indians.
CITIZENS PROTECTIVE UNION.
CowLEY Co., Kansas,
Nov. z, 1869.
The citizens of Cowley county as
sembled at the house of DR.. Graham for
the purpose of organizing a Citizens
Protective Union.
N. j. Trusty was elected Chairman,
and DIR. Graham Secretary, after which
the following constitution, bylaws and
resolutions were presented and adopted:
CONSTITUTION.
ARTICLE l. This Association shall be
called the Cowley county Citizens Pro-
tective Union.
ART. 2. The object of the Association
shall be the mutual protection of citi-
zens, both in claims and property.
ART. 3. The Association shall be COM
posed of those citizens residing within
Cowley county who subscribe to this
Constitution.
ART. 4. The officers of the Associa-
ton shall be President and Secretary.
ART. 5. This Constitution may be al
tered or amended by q vote of two
thirds of all the members present.
BYLAWS.
ARTICLE l. This Association shall
hrl Il nj nncfA ,SAY, Oh 80
such time and place as may be deter
mined upon from time to time.
ART. 2. The officers shall be elected at
each annual session, by ballot, and shall
remain in Office until others are chosen.
ART. 3. The President shall preside at
the meetings of the Association, pre-
serve order therein, put all questions,
announce decisions, appoint committees,
and call meetings at his discretion, or at
the request of three members.
ART. 4. The Secretary shall keep
record of the proceedings of meetings,
answer all letters addressed to the As
meetings, and attend to such other bus
mess as generally pertains to this office.
RESOLUTIONS.
ReSOlced, That the members of this
Association use their influence to en-
courage Immigration to the bounds of
this county.
ResolUed, That owing to the outrages
having been perpetrated upon the prop
erty of citizens of this county by the
Usage Indians, that we petition the
Governor for protection.
RESOLVED, That each citizen be entitled
to hold a claim of one hundred and sixty
acres of land, provided he improves and
reside upon the same within thirty days
after making his claim, and that we
recognize as improvements sufficient to
entitle man to protection that there be
house upon the claim, and at least five
acres cultivated within twelve months
from making his claim.
Resolced, That we recognize no mans
right to hold claim of more than one
hundred and sixty acres of land.
Resolred, That in the transaction of
business this Association be governed
by parliamentary rules.
Election of officers being next in or
der, DIR. w. G. Graham was elected
President for the ensuing year, and G.
NJ. Wood Secretary. Adjourned.
n. j.. TRUsTY, President.