New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-08-25
INDIAN FRAUDS.
THE BEEF CONTRACTS.

THE BEEF CONTRACTS.
A HERD NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. or J. W. BosrER,
THE DENIED-GOOD CATTLE
FURNISHED BY HIM.
fTRoN SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.
RED CLOUD AGENCY, Aug. 12.-The Com
missioners were at work yesterday asceraining the
methods Of weighing and issuing CATTLE and the kind Of
cattle furnished to the Indians At about 10 they
were driven to the catteyerd which Is situated about
mile from the agency. The cattle, 37s in number were
just being driven In by the hcrcrs and rs soon as all
were In the Enclosure the work Of weighing began The
Commissioners stationed themselves at the scales, and
several herdsmen drove CATTLE ranging from one to
seven head. upon the platform. at the door OF
the platform announced the number Of head on the
scales and the wegher the number OF pounds After
they were weighed they were driven ont into another
section Of the corral and thus lot after lot disposed
OF. All but three Of the cattle weighed, and the
weight OF these estimated. At the conclusion OF the
weighing 1t found that the weight of the
cattle actually weighed was 3o3.3G5 pounds. This
amount divided by the Lumber OF cat
tie weighed. giving an average OF l,ojl
pounds TO each Of the herd. The three cattle not
weighed were then averaged at this rate, aggIegaiing
3,153 pouns; and the grand total 396,5IS pounds
so far so good The cattle undoubtedly weighed whit
was claimed, for unless there tamperng with the
scales the weighing correct. Believing however,
that the persons interested in the matter were not likely
q drive their poorest cattle for the inspection OF the
Commissioner, made inquiries 10 how they compared
with the lois prcyiouiy received and complained Of
The contractors and the employees OF the agency said
that these the kind of cattle usually furnished.
made inquiries aiong the Indians. They claimed That
was an extra good lot OF cattle Red Cloud, Little
Wound, and other chiefs
said thai tao cattle Unexpectedly good that the
hearts Of their people full of Joy Tire cattle they
SAIL never good before. Not content, howe'or,
wit, these statements. of the Commissioners and
Vseif aver he Al. he Ie
missioner footing up the three last issues the f0
lowing the totals OF the Issue of July ], 1879, The
average weight WAS 800 pounds July 49, the average
910i2 pounds; Aug. 2. 9ls pounds. Lieut. Robert
Of the 9th Infantry, stationed ut Camp RobinsDn.
said he raw tie cattle OF Aug. 2 and that they were
rather understood.
j. w. Bosler the contractor who furnishes the beef, es
t.hcd lat evening before the Commission. He denied
that DR.. Save any one in the Department Of the In
toor haa bls any interest in his contracts lie said
TESTIMONY OF J. W. BosLCR.
The only two questions 10 consider In this matter was
whether he had delivered the required weight and NUM-
Der Of cattle called for by the cJntrac Prof. Maish
claimed that he had received receipts for weight
and numbers than ne had deiyered witness would here
declare that he lad delivered the cattle in accordance
with tie terms of the contract; afdavits which he
would subht would show that the cattle recepted FOR
had been purchased and delivered to the agency;
witness denied that lie had had any difficulty with
the Government which would exclude Lin from fair and
omen bldding clause in the advertisements for bids was
to the effect contract Should be assigned or sub
let without the consent ~ the Secretary Of the Interior
tins clause had been in the advertisement for three years.
during two of which witness had been contractor; the
only pers0us interested with witness in the contract OF
1874 are Paxton, Foreman. y. H. Wilder, BalW in OF
Council B!ias, D. W. c. Wheeler OF NewYork; these
gcnilell formed firm company and witness sup,
pied te money at tine rae or 10 cent per annin
after tits interest deducted the profits we're divided
nO IN tie Department OF the Interior was Interested
In , contracts John DclanO had interest N them the
contract under obtained by H. Ia Fore man
AMI trans Crrgd TO Paxton witness supplying me beei
the arran-cucnt or the contract approved by the
Dcpaf much had been said 1ex5Re
weignt Of cattle the fact that by an I'm iesfane
with the Department tle average weight OF castlc was 10
be about 800 pounds instead II being below the aver
age, the tor iar alied TIE contractors Dest
aud ,nos profitable policy furnish good large, and
heavy cattle weight what he wanted and not NUM-
hers hal To pay much per mead Tor IAN steers as
ne did Ter tat ones ne bought The best cattle because
they were the cIoapest III the end and he made more
money on thcin
TIE NUMBER OF CATTLE DELIVERED.
In conclusion he submitted series " aiidavits from
all tie persons from lie had purchased cattle for
the Indian contract These aiivs certified TO the fact
that the respective sncrs had sold to witness various
los in the aggregate making ap the amount required by
the contract and that the cattle thus sold were good
Texas cattle, averaging 1000 pounds head" Accom-
onyiug these aliidavits the following condensed
statement Of facts relating to che purchase delivery, ana
issuc ii these cattle:
In connection with these anidaviis submit the follow
in, fai 4 stat, ment OF their contents: - $50 ID,
Nun rof Tie purchased 'or Ken Iouo anu Sp'''eu III"
Az, ~ CLASSIFIED As iolO"s
;,esyrs si62
Total ....................... 1890
tr,rt as ,,.r I,cclpts gwen by the agent now
o. lie IN the Interior pt partmeIt' ,oa