The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-01-14
Work Of the Washington Indian Ring.
Four THOUSAND PEOPLE In KANSAS TO BIZ DRIvEr
FROM THEIR HOMES tx MIDwINTER.

-FOUR THOUSAND PEOPLE In hANSAS TO BIZ DRIVEN
FROM THEIR HOMES tx AIDwINTER.
From the Fort Scott, Kansas Monitor, December %.
We were astOnished, last evening, to
learn that General Merrill had received Or
ders from the War Department to repair to
La Cygne with troops to drive the settlers
from the Miami Reserve. This, too, in
midwinter, and by procurement, doubtless,
Of the INDIAN ring" whose operations are
being cheek-mated by the resolution Of Sen
atcr Ross. General Merrill left last night,
and about half company of United States
troops will follow to-day. General Merrill
is kind, judicious officer, who will have
to do bis duty, however unpleasant. 1t will
be gratifying to him that bis instructions do
not compel him to use force until further
orders are received.
The settlers on the Miami Reservation
number from 5000 to 1000 people. The
town OF La Cygne, which alone has a popu-
lation Of 900 souls, is situated on this reser-
walton, and they too must share the fate of
the rest. They went upon the land antici-
patiDg the action Of the government in Sc
curing them titles. They have been in quiet
possession for years, and have made sab
stantial homes and valuable improvements,
the assessed valuation of which cannot fall
short Of 100000 Many fine houses and
barns have been built whole sections Of
land have been put under cultivation, and
numerous orchards, with bearing trees,
abound. Yet they are ordered to leave all
and surrender their homes to a pack Of
thieves and lobbyists, who have been hang
ing on to the skirts Of the Indian Depart
ment for years. Ehey have swindled the
settlers on the Black Bob lands out of their
homes and they are now trying to do the
same thing with the Miami settlers, and if
they succeed in this, the ''next Job" that
will command their attention will be the
New York Indian lands in this country. In
deed, one Of their pimps has always been
among these settlers, and offered to secure
then. titles to their lands for $3.50 apiece.
And right here we would like to know
why this agent is sent among the settlers
If the pimp Of the ring" can secure them
titles to their land for the exceeding trihing
amount Of $3.50 apiece, why, then, can
not it be secured to them for nothing, save
the price actually paid government for the
land?
The settler on the Miami lands have
looked to our Representatives in Congress
to secure for them their rights. Meanwhile
the "Indian ring" by the trick Of bogus and
every other kind Of "hesd rights" have
been stealing the titles from the settlers.
And At last, at the behest Of this heartless
ring. they are to be dispOssessed in midwin-
tortured out Of the houses that they
built with their own hands, simply because
some sOulless scOundrels want to sell theil
homes FROM under teen and pocket the
money. Let the united voice Of Kansas gC
up in condemnation Of this browning act Of
villiany.
Let NJ. through our press, the State
officers and the people. send up such 4
protest to the President n will cause him
to countermand the order Of the War De
partnent in such q way that no such ordel
will ever again be issued.