New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-07-31
DEpREDATpNs by THE SIOUX.

Nep York, July %. 1875.
DEPREDATIONS BY THE SIOUX.
SETTLEMENT OF THE BLACK HILLS-wHAT TO DO
WITH THE INDIANS
TO the Editor Of rae TribuRe.
SIR: In the Spring of 1873 spent few
months OH a oattle-ranch In Northwestern Ne
hrasha within n flaw miles of the Sioux Reser-
vation; and in view of the discussion ut present
going on regarding tho Indian question, Iee'
prompted TO add the result Of experience among the
rcd men the general fund OF information
the public by your correspondents throughout the
country. And first Of all allow ms to most
cordially and alphabetically indorse the assertions
and statements Of Prof Marsh In regard to the Indians
their rstics and grievances Nnetrnfhs or the
Western men, who speak from any knowledge OF TIE
matter will join in asserting that Prof marsh Is "h
douhtedy correct in his averments and remarks con
corning the Indians. will here state that am writing
from the point Of view of Western msu-of those h'ng
in the immediate vicinity Of the Indians
and that 7 am expressing IN this letter the
opinions Of those who from actual experience smons to
savages have formed the most correct ideas OF t"e nv"
it, and nature II my privilege while on the Pa"S
to reside at ranch OF Duncan Redington dCo Iheso
rentc1nen-Gen Duncan Gen. Perry, Quarternaster OF
the Department OF the Platte, snd Henry Redngton OF
waddineton, ~ Y-athough within only few miles OF
the Sioux country have lost moro than nfty horses
and only few hundred cattle in the last three years. ana
yet the fact OF their proximity to the Sioux country
is probably of their immunity from excessive
heyng the part Of the Sioux The Indians are Soico
OF great and danger to the cattle dealers ana tne
latter obliged 10 keep continual lookout LOT INC
savages Woe to the hersman who is eyer caught ont
OIL the plains by mara,dng bands OF Sioux Indians alone
and unarmodl Horses constitute the Indians wealth. anu
they will frequently commit murder to get them.
IA time for some decided action tO be taken in regard
to the Indians Either every consideration OF rsh' oy
should he aside and the mere consu
Grafton of the public welfare and interests be accepted
and stringent and prompt measures for the Immediate
.biection of the Indians be TAKEN else they should
be treated moro euenty and allowed freer scope "a
roam they please. This hall ana ha't poiey VI
Punishment after the wrong is committed. anu snght
punishment at that, with free privilege to commit the
Same misdcmeanors again. IL most iailacious mo
bold Western pioneers who are developing the
Western states and the public interests de-
mand that tho Indian question shall be made
a more important In the national councils The
East by actual experience knows nothing about me
Indians And will here add that do wish sono East
ern centemcn-edlors ministers and others, wo seated
In their comfortable Eastern homes arr continually cry
Ing out the poor Indian "eoud experience life on
the plains for awhile in the vicinity OF some friendly 10
tribe. | think the columns of the Eastern papers
would abound Tor q year with pathetic and graphic
accounts of how these inoralizing philosophers tied from
the savages as the beloved oil tie L'rd ned from the
\" one will dcnv mat the Indians are frequently and
continually ab sed defraued and oh eated especially
by the agents Of the Government In the distribution OF
their supplies ratlons sfc IN act II was common H
myself heard OF tho agents assert that 1t required
independent fortune, both by trading with the Indians
and by shrewd inanpIaCnof The supplies winch pisSu
through their hands. And although this may he tf'a
concerning the agents is also well knewn That the red
men VIII lie, steal. nurde, ana commit tie most
discovered by the Government Nothing bun fear OF the
Government Restraints them from grOsser and more open
outrages than they are continually committing Yet they
are rapidly overcoming all fear Of the Government iu
ing from the many thioyins exploits which they nave
prpetiatcd upon the tlers throughout the West during
The last year IL true there are military posts
scattered throughout the West but such posts are genei-
ally source OF lcnt to the fr0ntlesicn ana set
tiers stolen stock Is CONGO med mas
much the dilat0gy. unwns lettering AMI briet move,
sayages Moreover. in ease OF conflict and desruc,
o oat "a fsra ' Sy the o@es a. witness the cutlery
against sheridan and Custer when they administered 40
bands a few years a;o, which they slaughtered men
and women and OF necessity for the squaws Will hght
policy should be advocated regarding the indians. Re,
move then az Sn'c 10 She ns,a eon G av
changing their reservations aud furnishing Them
thereby with new Cause Of irritation 1t is shame
dangerous course OF annoyance to Tie Government a,
they now are. Place thcm on liked reservation, and
lives that they remove thcrcfrDn, commit de-
predaions. PUNISH them severely and most risorollsiy
meat is ali that viii keep them in bounds Therefore let
false ideas of The savage nature maintained iv thOso
they do of the Inhabitants OF thc in0Ohi prevent strii-
gent dctatOral, and far possible humane policy
toward lie red
There is present great deal of discussion az to
whether tie Sioux VINO IL present occupy the BLACK
Hills can be legally dsposscss"d Of the same aud the
country thrown open Ia white men: We'll treaty rat
iicd with The nipiS gave ihen The right TO Inc
exclusive occupation OF the Black ILLS Tho stipua-
lions o thai treaty have been Op l disiceaii by tie
Indians ,IJ year since tbc Ratification cl the ueaiy
they have made norsions into NE Nbtt uHs connlry,
and these incursons have Deen marked by w0ntcn de-
struclion OF property and often OF human lie;
The treaty with the red men, whcA has never bound
them. should be annulled, and The Indians owed il
er North West. tho settlement o. that country by
the pioneers Of civilization only Question of TIM.
and The such settlement bc lawfully made tho
better viii be ior the Government, tine Indian and al
concerned
While sympathize with the poor Indian NOT help
rejoicing at his gradual cNn, ton. rather Ills sub
mcIgence into the white and the consequent devel
opiucnt of the West 1 hope that wisdom and sound
Judgment will prevail in governmental halls, and
thai the perpeNng question Of 'What shall he done
with the Indians T. Will be settled before long 20 tine
isfactOn all. LYMAN W. REDIEGTON
c-Iork. July 20, 1875.