The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1872-06-22
ar THE TETON SIOUX. ...-.
The History or the Negotiations, their
Failure, and the Situation. ..

. INC nsst0ry OI tne Negotiations, tncl
Failure, and the Situation.
''About this time look out for Indian tror
bles." Such has been the mental ''conjcs
ture' for Spring in the border almanac fo
many years-until Baker brought . mel
order of things on the Msrias. Siuce the
peace has been maintained. This seaso
the indications are portentous and ominou
of evil There has been serious mistak
made-.the mistake of delay in rstifyin
agreements with and providing the consid
Grafton to the Indians by the Government
Six months ago it seemed that Sitting Bull'
Siouxs would yield their arrows for suga
and shirts 1t seems likely now that the,
will he on the war path. General Sherida,
! telegraphs their appearance far down tn,
river, menacing the Northern Pacific Road
Commission is appointed by the Secretar,
OF Interior to reach and If possible concili
ate them, and the advertisement for sup
plies for the Teton Sioux contains the sig
nifioant proviso - should they be need
ed"-.
Now, to this condition Of affairs, there i.
. history leading up, aud we propose to give
it before politics monopolise space and in
terest, promising that with no abatement of
the conviction that the government of the
American Indians is founded and maintain.
ed upon theory of absurd folly, failure
to carry out that policy with good faith and
prompsness, while 1t is the policy, is worse
than to have none at all ''.'
For many years the Sioux are known to
have been the most powerful, and with the
exception of the Apaches, the most warlike
Of Indians. During the past year treaties
were made by special agent A. j. Simmons
with the Santee and Yanktonian Sioux, two
strong bands, who have since remained
peaceable near the Milk River Agency. re.
ce'ving rations and manifesting disposi
ton to accept the situation. There still
remained the Teton Sioux, about 1000
strong, under Sitting Bull, the war chief
succeeding Red Cloud With these Indians
Mr.. Simmons opened negotiations last sum
mer, and in September held council, in
which the TetOns agreed to remain ut peace
until the Agent could communicate with
the Great Father, and if he would compcn.
safe them for loss Of country and game on
account Of the N. P. r. r. going through
their hunting grounds. they would leave the
war path and remain at peace. The Agent
recommended an appropriation for them
conditional upon their good behavior; it
Was approved by Superintendent Wall. ad-
voca,ed by Delegate Claget,, and by recon-
mendation Of the Indian Department con.
ditional appropriation of 100000 was
inserted in the appropriation bill, and il
now law. This, however, was not done
tor six months. During the winter they
remained quiet, Sitting Bull sending sew.
eral times to the Agent 70 inquire what
would be done, and Agent Simmons repeat.
etily appealing TO the Department for
prompt action. as with the opening of spring.
unless he could give them final answer, they
would inevitably make trouble. But the
wheels of legislation could not be acccler-
ated. Finally the peril Of the situation be-
came manifest, and after twice telegraph
ing that immediate action to- satisfy them
was necessary to prevent them from, going
to war, Agent Simmons was instructed by
telegraph April ed, TO issue provisions to
them. On April Gath, he and his party left
Benton in . Aackinaw and made eli posi-,
ble speed for Fort Peck. although lit. was
well known when they left Benton that
the Indians had broken camp and the river
was lined with war parties. Arriving at !
Peck, it was demonstrated the authority
had come. TO late., About the 1st Of April, i
\ war party Of Mountain Crows had dashed 1
INTO the Tcton camp in the night and run
'ff 500 head Of horses. The Te,ons follow:
ID. only recovering 100 head. Reused by
his. he semitic, Beck TO- learn if the Agent
,ad an answer; from them, and believing
Agent Simmons had deceived them, and
hat they would get nothing from the. Cove
rnment, Sitting Bull broke camp, took
80 lodges-about one. half the camp-de>
Jared he would wage. war on the Railroad,
nd left for, Grand River and Fort Rice to
rade robes for Winchester carbines and
ther breech' loading firearms they could
ot obtain in this sSuperinten,lency. The ad.
ices of General Sheridan show he has ap-
eared there, and there is reason to believe
e will make good his threat. esrre
About one-ha!f the Tetons were yet near
'ort PECK three weeks ago. To them Agt /
immons communicated that he was pre-
ared TO issue them food and clothing, that
10. Great Father would provide for them.
nd then sent word to the same effect to
itting Bulls command. On. June 7th. he
gain left Benton BY steamer Durfee to
'ach Sitting Bull, intending to 60. ss far
J Grand River, unless his messenger had
|turned with favorable news
The best the Commission, consisting of
en-. B. r. Cowen, Jno. 8. Delano, and j.
Z. ham, can do,ls to do over what was ,
one before, and =; fierce war, costly in I
God, treasure and interruption Of the pro-
'ess of the rosd.is not impossible. If this
lould ensus, twill have besn for no lack " "
effort by the Montana officials, and that
ey urged and appealed for during many
onths he's now, ton lats, perhaps, c0m~