The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-10-03
The Mystery Of the Burning Of the Build
ingS at Fort BerthOld.
The Story as Recounted by Two
Maids Of the Forest.


in great trouble, and ex-employe says that he
wanted the to make affidavit the effect that the
inventory given him by Tappan tilse lie claimed
that -four, sugar and coffee were missing. There was
considerable talk about the matter among the EN-.
ployGs and ii said then that Sperry would have TO
burn the agency buildings TO save himself Meanwhile
he devising all kinds Of plans 70 get money AMI
branch out in bis reformatory scheme. He told the
Indians that through Tappan's dishonesty the agency
short Of supplies ana money, but he would
do the best lie could They listened in 81
lence. This admirable excuse for send
ing them horns ana eutrails to eat while he
was making money out Of his mess house ana forcing
employees to sign blank vouchers His gospel seemed
to be that be must cheat the government and his
friends because Tappan had cheated him. He CON
stanily on the lookout for detectives When he sold
the Indian provisions he would close the transac-
tion BY asking them to say nothing about IT,
who familiar with his irregularities ordered
of the reservation and accused Of stealing. Sperry
heard tina, he giving damaging information
10 the citizens along the river Then the saint u the
Indian Department him letter asking him
say no more and he would withdraw lis charges 81
stealing Last year lie paid some Of his employees in
agency -four Not having money TO push forward his
missionary enterprises he traaicked the goods that
belonged 10 the Indians Large orders we're given
Raymond for goods. When the agent FIRST came
here he said that he must advertise for
bis supplies, that the Indians might have
tho benefit 81 competition. | have already
shown that before nc lad foot the
ton be bargain with his fellow graduate the
post trader to buy these goods. understand that he
claims q have received special permit from Washing
ton 70 SOL and ouy supplies. But that strange,
considering the Rev T. p smiths past a. agent
in Minnesota Having authority, according bis own
In hest no haer
tinued buy goods u Raymond until this day without
giving the other merchants chance to compete with
him openly; and hard to tell who have furnished
most goods the department contractors Raymond &
Co.
or OPERATIONS
After devotng the greater part Of years every
species pety niquty the partners prepared
wider fields q operations AZ before stated, spcrry
denies that lie las any interest in the traders
affairs beyond warm personal friendship for
the man. Tie autumn Or 1874 drew near
October tho golden month, was the time set
for shipping annuity goods Other invoices Of mer-
chandise for tie agency had been recci7cd and put
away ii the warehouse
II viii be shown that between the 10th and 10Th or
this month or October the agency buildings we're
burned and steamboat load Indian goods landed in
the woods below here and the goods stolen Is said
al agency that tie IRE occurred the night Of the
18th but according the file Of the Bismarck Tribune
II happeuee IL lie night or the l3h think tie pauer
is wrong Tie steamboat put OF the goods on the
evening of tie 10th From that day until this the
guilty parties have had no peace Both 81 tho jobs
were well done but Tie history Or crime shows that
nero 4 aave some porson around whose nrosenca i
never dreamed III when complaints are made u n in
spector ono motion Il tie agents hand il suicen. to
sveep tile charges out of existence
..sly dear sr that nam Is a squaw man; you can't
believe / word ae says This settles ID and the con.