New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-08-18
THE INDIAN FRAUDS.
GEN. BRADLEY BEFORE THE INDIAN CON-
MISSION.


ORION A sPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF TIE TRlBuNEl
CAMP FLETCHER. Fort Laramie. W. l., Aug. o.
The Commissioners discovered yesterday that
acme cattle hides had been shipped from Red Cloud
Agency to Mr.. Collins, the post trader at fort
Laramie Believing that this was good oppor'u-
nifty TO learn the average size OF cattle the 1ohs
soncrs made a call on Mr.. Collins and examined the
hides. They were told that they had been pur-
chased from the Indians by Louis Richard, and
ahmed TO Fort Laramie. close inspection OF the
.everal skins showed that they hides of under
sized cattle the gross weight of which was esti-
mated at from 200 to 400 pounds. Inc Comms-
sioners propose TO investigate this matter ana learn
whether these skins represent the average SIZE Oh
cattle issued. Richard is expected to be an I'M
portant witness as he has lived among the Indians
for long time, is good interpreter, and familar
with affairs at Red Cloud Agency. In addition nc
has fine reputation for integrity and intelligence
Gen. Bradley, the commander at this post, gave this
morning a very clear statement concerning the
troubles at Red Cloud 10 far as they had fallen I'M
der his observation.
Camp Fletcher was abandoned to-day, and the
Commission are now on their way to Red Cloud
Agency escorted by detachment of cavalry when
Gen. Bradley has given them for protection Inc
Commissioners expect to camp tonight az the IA"
HIDE place about twenty miles from tor Lara
ME- Commissioner Howe has not yet overtaken u.s.
and the investigation at Red Cloud will probably be
completed before he arrives.
GEN BRADLEY's TESTIMONY.
Con BRADLEY said that he had been stationed In this
Department eight years present at the Red Cloud
Agency last November when Red Cloud and Rcd Dog
showed samples Of rations; never was in the agents
storehouse and only the samples which those cnels
showed saw the seven head OF cattle referred 70 ny
Prof Marsh; had been Red Cloud three or four times;
aQftl la IN ed
of the Indians; these cattle were estimated 10 "eigh
about 35s pounds each the estimate OF Witness
Col Mix and Lieut. Hay he asked the herder OF the cat
e they were samples and under the impression
that herder said that the cattle were far sample Ill
size he nev er occasion from personal observation to
know OF affairs at Red Cloud; knew something however,
from converting with Red Cloud. Red Dog, and other
chiefs he had heard them serious complaints thty
Looked upon the witness a who could help thein
If not directly least indirectly by his influence he had
heard last Winter from Inlians and white men hVlhg
with Indians that they actually starving they ate
their dogs and their ponies 1t was not an uncommon
thing for them to eat dogs but they would not cat
their ponies except at the very last extremity
lie had been told that some of them did starve,
Tut had no personal knowledge OF tho fact
they said that they often long time without nOur
or beef Cloud made the same statement to witness
he thought that the Commission would probably find that
there was also long period this Summer during when
the Indians were without supplies the army officers nad
reported similar facts witness; the camps were su-
aed near the agencies the purpose Of watching the
Indians; when the Indians were not properly FED they
became disquieted and unruly and gave much more
trole than when they well cared for; the army
had no right 10 interfere in Indian matters M
less the Indians left their reservation without per
mission; then the army has the right 70 follow
them and bring them back the army mas no
rjCht 10 touch them in the reservation uhler
ordinary circumstances unless called by the In
terror Department; the Indians leave their reseFra-
ton without pei mission have robbed ard Killed peo
pie then military follow them and bring them
back and even IL they on the reservation punish
Them; witness examined samples Of tobacco and coffee
handed to him by Red Cloud; the coffee was poor the
,ur was coarse the tobacco very and looked
more like moasses the outside dry, but the inside
was sticky and unfit for smoking; 1t wouli not
burn unless cut up and the INSIDE exposed
for drying; the Indians great smokers and
desire good tobacco; they never have a council
without using the pipe; 1t is almost a re-
hsous rite and Is preliminary to al talas pmollc OF
fans based ON their fighting strength and from that eSt
mate ldge there not 5000 Indians ~ the Rc1
Cloud Agency; he had been hghting them for several
strength did not believe that they were increased IN
numbers when witness was at Camp Robinson, Red
Cloud came to lis quarters Prof Marsh and several Off
we're present Red Cloud and Red Dog made tate
mcns. which interpreted by Jules Ecofee and an
Interpreter named Nelson they complained Of poor sup
pes they said that they believed mat Tgy co
sent TO the President but they did not be,
anew co ,df So they eompained that their ncnr
tobacco coffee ana beef were bad they had given ny
Their rights and expected that the Government would
iced them according promise they did not hunt the
buffalo any longer except short time curing me winter
should forward their compaints Prof Marsh was intro
dnced 10 them "a a teacher in the East and of i'll
~ nee in the community; they asked if he was friend
O. President. and were informed that he would OBJ
asked him to take their samples bear their es TO
Waehn ton. and advocate their cause; it was IN tins
that Prof Marsh became interested IN thclr
cause Red Cloud and Red Dog then asked all 70 go out
and the cattle provided for TIE use OF me indians
men besides Prof Marsh and beef contractor they all
made an estimate, which was afterward sve'asGd to
3Js pounds; some OF the estimates witness
thought were too great witness was not Pros
srcerdmg TO the army contract tie cattle cannot be
weighed for acceptance until twelve hours aer water
for water instead OF beef no contractor furnishes
beef 10 the Indians furnish it cheaper than the army
h hn,Hu IEnes !, W" h NV any ore: G"u1pi
heri a. ,heaN as u o, ~ d ~ , q ~ JitI
Agency and OF that furnished 20 the soldiers 1t
Camp Robinson az that place, would be inter, sting
vitb respect to the cattle supplies il WAS weliknOwn
fact that the smaller te animals the less proportion OF
net meat WAS derived ii is for The interest Of honest
furnish large cattle because the cOst Of
handing is css, ANA they make moic on the ohd
Laramie for Red Cloud Agency, and then 1t is
ony daring the high water season ne distance between
and Fort Laramie about 90 miles: II Is about
IG3 N les from Cheyenne to Red Cloud Agency Icy way
OF fOu Laramie; tis whole route has been measured,
ana at Camp RobH'on they mo- the mcaNiueincnts; ne
be eyed that tie Troubles ~ the agency arOe frequently
from the fue Of The contractor to deliver LIS supplies
in there might De reasonable eNcur-s iOr the con
tractor the d'ty OF the Government Il 10 enforce
tLcg contracts there TOO much negligence Oh the
part Of tie Govern neDt AGENTS and other employees; the
Indian not treated i'll business matters IKE white
there seemed 10 he OptnOn among agents and
contractors that IL did not matter much whether the
Indians fod to-day tomorrow II
ought 10 be said IN justice 10 tie
agents, that the Indian imIrON det fellow; lac
would five dIyA' TaOns IN two OF three; now how
they becoming more pIOyjent, and arIOrtOn
Their food more accurately and economically; witness
believed in system OF closer watching over the dsibu
ton Of supplies there should be check the agents