New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-03-18
WASHINGTON.
rrr TRAFFIC IN TRADERSHlPS.
nvCx TrsIIFIss TO INTERESTING FACTs-s

nrCx TrsIIFIEs TO INTERESTING FACTs-sN
POSTS TAKEN FROM HIS TIRH-MR. pELANo
rrrs OFF OTHERS HEADS TO SAVE HIS OWN.
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSEI
usyrvGroN March l7.-Gen. c. X. Peck OF the
g., or Durfee & Peck, leading transportation
..n,anv ON the Upper Missouri River, was the
s.;,c;nal witness examined by Mr. Clymers Com-
.;,tee today This firm, in addition to carrying Oh
stoamboat business. were formerly licensed 10
,,ode at several military and Indian posts. Alter
Az. massage of the act OF 1871, the uadersnip AT
Sort Buford was taken from the firm and gwen 10
-, wbo obtained the appointment through
Can Hedrick. The latter became partner
tho busness in 1872. Durfee Il Peck
succeeded at Fort Stevenson by
ysn,hn. He never went into the business, and
- G Peck remained until the next year, when
w Marsh was appointed post-trader. He was
sa,;t,aa 70 partnership in the profits of Durfee n
ri oltbongh his connection with the business was
-, nomnal in order that the firm might retain the
"a. FINALLY. in 1874, Bonnation of Philadelphia
o,no;nteJ ON the recommendation OF Owl l..
st Fort Rice was taken from the firm and gwen
30 ur Fitz. who received his appointment through
no ;nauence of DR.. TOmlinson, Mrs. Belknaps
hotber Ftz did not take hold of the business him.
.n bur allowed Durfee 4 Peck to continue on CON
dton that they should pay him oneiourth OF their
orofts. In the Spring of 1874 FltZ formed a part
cersbip with Smith of Cincinnati, and Durfee a.
Peck sold them their goods
The post-tradershp at Fort Sully was taken from
the same firm in the Summer of 1874 and gwen 10
Atbey. This appointment the Secretary OF WartOid
Cen. Peck was made by order of Gen. Grant. Athey
had been clerk in the Office of c. W. Babcoek, Sur
yeyor-G General of Kansas and brother Of Gen. y. f.
Bsbcock He was without means TO carry on the
business, and Durfee & Peck at first made an ar
rangement with him to employ him at II 800 year
until he could get means TO take possession OF the
business. Athey obtained this post through Gen
Babcock. Durfee e. Peck's license to trade al
CHEYENNE was Cancelled in 1874 when George
W. F. Felt was appointed in their place
Fell secured the position on the recommendation OF
Oryil L. Grant. During the same Summer their
license at the Indian post of Standing Rock was
also taken away and given TO Bonnaffon q Cassel-
berry. with whom Orvi j.. Grant is in partnership.
Gen. Peck at ore time asked the Secretary of the
Interior if any accusations had been filed in the De
partrnent against this firm The Secretary replied
that there were no charges against the firm but IT'S
licenses had been revoked by order Of Gen. Grant.
Mr. Delano said he had no feeling in the matter.
but added that if he did not cut Oft heads when he
was ordered TO do co. his own head would be cut OIL
The firm of Durfee & Peck paid 10 &. w. Babcock
for the privilege of remaining at Fort suly, after
Athey was appointed $3.50 quarter. Three pay
ments of this character were made, amounting In
all to 8, $50.
The only other interesting point in Gen. Pecks
testimony was in regard to the Presidenps procla-
nation extending the boundary Of the great Sioux
Reservation When Orvil L. Grant and his partners
first obtained licenses to trade at Standing Rock
and other posts on the Missouri River, the Sioux
Reservation was bounded on the east by the river.
The traders who were displaced by Grant and his
partners moved the river outside Of the reser-
yation and there established stores, at which they
secured considerable trade. This competition was
far from profitable to Orvil l.. Grant and his part
ners, and one day peremptory stop was put to 1t
by PROCLAMATION of the President, extending the
Sioux Reservation 10 the eastern bank OF the river
thus driving out the traders who had established
themselves there This proclamation, Gen. Peck
said was understood to have been obtained through
the influence of Oryil l.. Grant.