Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1874-08-21
Indians u

The late raid was unQiiestiOnabIy the bold
est one eve made into this part Of the conn
try, and year By year the temcrity Of the
Indians seems to increase. The time rapidly
approaches for repetition of the outrage
and fearing disastrous results, we can blu,
urge our people to Increased energy and
watclliulness; and would impress upon oil
that after the warning just received it would
be disgraceful to be found uDprcpared.
In response to the request Of the Spring
Hill settlement, made Though Mr.. Dexter,
Gen. Sweitzer has taken steps to guard that
pass. and troops are vet retained at Flathead
Mr.. W0lverton reports that extensive In
dian signs have been found OIL the hills III
MS vicinity. and it having been suggested
that the train-raid Of six years ago may be
repeated on the Virginia road, the Governor
was notified of the danger on Saturday.
On Friday Is to 20 Indians appeared near
aud at Qu;nn's, who was haying on Middle
creek. lie was obliged to leave his work aud
return to his ranche-the same day party
Of five attempted to cut him off while driv-
ing toward the Yellowstone. but he escaped
in t,mo IN rive ...---:- w. ~ ~ WI
iiainx, who was returning from Benson's.
Quinn's men are having with their guns on
their shoulders. but the constant danger al
most precludes the possibility Of getting In
his winters forage.
This Indian scare is working great damage
to the Territory. and in many ways. Tour
lists hesitate 10 make the trip to the Park, not
only from Bozeman itself but from other
parts of Montana and the East. A letter was
received lately from Minnesota, announcing
the abandonment Of the trip by party Of
twenty solely on account Of tue rumOrs tele-
graphed all over the East; and business
firms in New York are enqniring anxiously
as to the risks they run IN shipping goods to
Montana. This is pitiful condition of af-
fairs-it is useless to assure tourists that the
trip to the Park can be safely made (as it CAM,
as no scare Is so terrifying as an Indian; AID
Eastern merchants naturally dislike credits
that are endangered by raids.
However, we can assure those contempla-
ting inc Park tour, that, through the kind
:,css of General Swcitzcr, an escort over the
range can always be obtained, and that. once
over it, there is no danger at all. while eau
ton only makes the escort advisable.
BY reference to the communication in an
other column from the Interior Department,
il will be seen that an Expedition will not
be opposed ii it follow the North side Of the
Yellowstone. What is needed. however, is
\ wagon road to Bismarck with cut-offs to
Helena, Virginia and Bozcman. The immc-
Iliate result of such road would be seen in
ard an advance of at least 100 PER
cent. in the value OF beet ca,tle-beside this.
IN early settlement of the Indian pi oblem
would, in the nature Of things, follow. The
Government is bound to protect actual set
lers and the sentiment OF the East is chang.
ng rapidly ana becoming more practical in
indian affairs. 1t must be apparent to all
sections OF the Territory that the opening OF
Eastern Montana. and the establishment OF
he mentioned road must benefit, not por-
ion. but the whole, and tina, in the absence |
i railroad or steamer certainfies something |
II greater promise than tho carroll route J. |
lecded. Not only do we need All outlet, but |
We need. Ill the more, some solution of the |
indian problem and it would come with the |
pening Of the suggested road, as the two |
military Posts would then be |
and troops be sent into the coun-
ry and decided military results follow. AS it
;, large Post appropriations lie idle and use-
ess in the Treasury-the Sioux carcens over
he cnuntry-our beef cattle are worth al
most nothing-we are losir e popnlation-as
mass we grow poorer and mere dispiritcd
very year; enterprise is sluggish and dscour-
ged and the emigrant finds no practicable |
vay Ut getting into the country.
AS we write word comes that large band
i Indians has been seen near tie Sixteen
lille mines, resulting in stampede OF the
miners; and hardly is it written when credi-
lie reports reach rs that sixty Indians (prob-
bly, those whose trail ia reported BY Mr..
Volverton) are roaming about on the head
i Last Gallatin. Now what can be done /
dust such rich country rs this be forever
t the mercy Of the Sioux, or the Crows, or
he Flatheads, or what not?
Were it not for this state Of Indian affairs
Dads would almost Immediately be opened
Cheyenne and to Bismarck, aud . rcvolu-
ion In our social and business matters would
blow.
AS before stated in these columns, the mere
blowing Of Indians after raid Is of no ac-
cunt. Not once in thousand times is such
course a.success. and none but thoughtless
len will depend upon such tactics for So
ltion Of the Indian question or the recap.
IRE Of stolen horse Eastern people and
'astern papers do not as rule, 1t is true.
link as We do upon this suLject-but, as be-
IRE intimated. change is coming oyer the
leas Of an influential class both in and out
Washington; and We pray God this change
'ay result In giving rein to the dogs Of war
lis coming winter. Marauding Indians
'ust DC followed to their villa-e Is and death
nd destruction be dealt out to them for out
'ges committed by them. Were it not for
le gene' q idea of the East that the Indian
robbed to the right and to the left-swin.l
led BY contractors and imposed upon by
gents. fire and the swor: would long since
ave broken the power Of the savage hordes
'at now stand between us ard the outlet we
'ust yet secure. And were 1t not partially
ue that outrage is perp~trated BY the whites. !.
nd did we argue more the right of the CUES j
on and talk Observation-Disclosures less. Eastern |
'Dtiment now would have met !
4 ~ hOff d. ii