The Van Buren press., 1874-12-08
Information in Regard to the Recent
Outbreaks in the Indian Nation.
From st. Louis Republican, Dec. Al

Wednesday night G. w. Ingalls,. U. S.
agent for the five civilized tribes of the
Indian nation, arrived and stopped at
Barnum's hotel. In conversation with a
reporter for the Republican, Mr.. Ingalls,
gave some information ,egarding Indian
affairs that may be of interest in view Of
the recent events that have trnhspired in
the territory As, Is well known, Down.
ing and Ross were two prominent parti
san chiefs of the Cherokees during and
before the war The parties they form
ed still exist and are known by the name
of their former leaders The present
chief, Ross, is son Of the old chief OF
the same name, and is the foremost man
Of his party al the present time. Dis
turbances have recently occurred. grow
ing out of the strong feeling between the
parties and the too free use of whiskey.
The reports of these troubles have been
much magnifed After the outbreak at
Tahllequai on the cath of November
an inves,ig cation was held at the request
Of both parties Mr. ingalls, took charge
of this investigation, with an understand
ING with Ross that he should carry out
the measures that might be recommend
ed as a result Of the proceedings. The
investigation was concluded on the 2Gth
and a report was made formally to the
chief, charging Eli Spears, the sheriff,
and the deputy, Henry Barnes, with in.
competency in not taking any measures
to quell the riot or arrest parties engaged
Further, that men Of notoriously bad
character were employed on the guard,
one or two having been guilty of murder
but nothing was develop d in the testi-
mony to show that the chief or any Of
his,oiliccrs had been implicated in any
way in causing the trouble.
As a result Of this report, the sheriff
and members Of the guard Immediately
resigned, and a new guard was ordered
Mr.. Ingals says he does not think it at
all fair to charge the Ross party with the
entire responsibility of the outrage, and
he is sorry to see that, by special tee
gram, published this morning in the De.
mocrat. fresh Disturbances have Ia
ken place When he left the territory,
last Monday, all was quiet lie hopes
for the best results from the conference
soon to be held between the representa-
tives of the five nations.
Mr. ingalls, will return Immediately to
Tallequah He was member Of MAJ.
Powells exploring expedition of Indian
commissioners which made tour Of the
country west Of the Rocky Mountains.
last year, and took census of sixty
three unevilized tribes of Indians.
From great experience with the Indi-
ans, Mr. Ingals thinks he can venture to
say that the Cherokees and other tribes
of the five civilized nations will finally
settle their disputes satisfactorily, with
out forcing the government to send
in troops. Their quarrels and their
parties are not formed like our political
organizations and conflicts. Their par
tizanship follows leaders rather than
principles, and they would have very lit
tie trouble were it not for intemperance
Whiskey innames the passions Of these
red men, civilized though they he, to
to such an extent that any difference of
opinion often becomes the cause Of n
bloody contest.