The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-21
Thu INDIAN RING.
Herald Investigations Of Fraud
at the Agencies,
Disgraccful Condition of Affairs at Fort
Peck and Wolf Point.
GRANT, STANLEY q CO..
Alleged Robberies at the Coy
eminent Stores.
Beef and Provisions Intended for "LO" Eaten
by White Spectators.
STATEMENTS OF EMPLOYEES.
Complaints Against the Presi-
Complaints Against the Presi-
dents Brother.
FORT BuroRD, Mouth OF the Yellowstone,


dian supplies al Fort Peck last fall, was discuss
Ing the Indian question IN the pilot house OF a
steamer when a hostile Teton fred from the shore
AMI bullet cut through his lip. "Wnab do you
think OF IL now ?n he was asked 'rrne same as
have always thought" he replied. with the blood
dripping TO the floor. saw this officer the other
day, and When he learned my business he grasped
my hand and said, GAN honest men will bless the
HERALD for exposing the inIquities practlsed on
the Indlansn
FORT PECK.
One hundred and thirty miles above this place Is
Fort Peck. 1t is one OF the most corrupt agencies
on the river. There are no soldiers nor settle
ments nearer than Fort Buford, which Is about 800
miles by water. There 1t stands, small stockade
under nigh bluff, with neither railroads nor tele-
graphs within 500 miles, Indians Ill the country
on every side Fierce Teton savages scour the
wilderness between the missouri and the Yellow
stone, while the northern regions swarm with
semi-h0sie bands. The mountain robbers
OF Italy conld not ask for more secluded
spot. 1t is here that government supplies have
been stolen and resaipped 10 the remote trading
posts OF Upper Montana. The truth Is, the entire
region ls the home OF smugglers and swinders OF
every class. Between the desperadoes OF the
"whoop up' country and the official pira es OF the
agencies honest men, red and white, have little
chance to live In peace. The great serpent oft
Columbia River and spreads its slime along The
Missouri for three thousand miles, cannot hide
It's train. It's nest is Sioux City and st. Paul,
and when 1t IS fed at the capital IL wlgges its tall
In Fort Benton. The agencies are merely raJtles.
The fangs are in Washington, and such men as
Oryille Grant and Commissioner Smith keep them
0ned with poison.
Fort Peck was built seven years ago by Durfee
4 Peck, who owned a line OF steamboats, and con-
trolled the trade OF the river. They bought out
the interests OF the Northwestern Fur Company,
ana named the fort after the junior partner.
Colonel Peck. When orvllle Grant came into
power all the licenses of traders the river
revoked and he bought most OF the STOCKS OF
goods. Although ne was but a common traf1cker
In merchandise lie travelled through the country
like lord Escorts were furnished him at the
various mlitary posts and his precious body was
transported In government vehicles, drawn by
Eovernment horses Last fall he walked Into
Durlee & Peck's store, at Fort Peck,
and said that his name was o. l.. Grant,
and tnat he had coma to buy their goods. OF
course the proprietors had to submit for their
license was cancelled. Three days were spent in
invoicing, but ne wan ed the stock so cheap that
they refused to sell. Mr.. Grant said all right, he
had the thing in his own hands, ana he consid-
cred the invoice list worth $4,000 IN selecting
new stock at ST. Paul. Then he lett, and the
Lelghtons-father and two sons-became his
partners. In January they began business within
the agency buildings, which belonged to the gov
ment. Tnls was contrary to custom, al least. At
Standing Rock ana other places the traders store
ls outside Of the government stockade, separate
and distinct from the agency, so far as buildings
are concerned. Duriee & Peck were refused
new permit TO trade, Notwithstanding the law
saws that any responsible person may trade with
the Indians on taking out license. SO they
moved across the river and opened again. To
stop them the reservation was EXTENDED, although
the country there had been opened 10 settlement
and county laid out. They stayed, however,
and the Indians patronlzed them literally. They
b light thTee-iourths or all the robes OF the sea-
son. which amounted to about 1900. Good prices
were paid, ana goods sold mucn cheaper than by
Grant, leighton Co. on the stu OF June the
Leighton boys went over the river and offered to
buy the entire stock at satisfactory prices
An inventory was taken end the goods
ferrled back 10 the fort. The papers OF agree
ment were sent down to the elder Leighton
who is post trader at Fort Buforl. ne refused
10 sign Them and about that time an order came
from Washington for Durlee & Peck TO close
their business there entirely. Their agent In
charge ut Peck then resolved to investigate some
OF the irregularities OF the agency. lie IL q
United States commissioner, and 1t was just after
he had lett with the United stat Marshal that 1
arrived Oh tie ground. Fortunately found hos
pitable shelter ana entertainment at his house or
should have been obliged to go out and camp
with the Indians
The moment recalled the shore a certain man
stepped up TO Matt Anderson, the agents son, and
whispered,
IA GOVERNMENT DETECTIVE mas CONF"
.IquIetly went over to Durlee Peck's stock ade
which Joins the agency buildings and found safe
and pleasant quar- ers. Spies were sent over to
watch me. They played cards day and night in
an old building, with Durfee Peck's men, and
especial pains were taken to spot all who came
near me. II was amusing to study the innocent
gaze OF those men. Lcighton's "outht haunted
the gateway aud patrOlled the yard. One OF the
leighton boys, who Is about as smlrt as they
make them, dropped in for O genteel game OF
poker, which extended far into the night. AS |
watched him rorh over the casa could NOT help
thinking Of the other game ho had played all
winter, when no and the agent were getting
away with government provisions. Matt Alder
son called at unexpected hours while his father
Stayed at nome and looked alter the employees.
But had enough evidence against them belore
came in sight OF the landing TO ruin the teputa-
tlons Of ordinary men.
THE AGENT AND mrs PARTNERS.
The agency is managed 10y W. W. AdcrSon, his
scn Matthew and carl Stanley, the .,nief clerk.
They hail rom Bozeman, Montana. MIR. Anderson
was a broken down preacher when he took the
agency, lie had a ranch near Boze man, out he
was in debt and his property was mortgagod.
Now he STANDS nigh on.mercantile registers, and
has the confidence Of business men. lilo has paid
his debts and built the hnest house in Bozcman.
lie drives a nne team and his nerds are valuable.
Stanley formerly Of MISSOURI had ranch and
halfway house on the DAD between Helena aud
Bozeman. lie Is considered sharp man, who
always enforccs his threats lie IS the chief man
at the agepcy and the tales told OF him are Of the