The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-07-31

a letter from ex.Surgeon Hoffman, Of
tho Seventh cavalry, tells the following
story: III the Herald noticed nm edi.
torial mentioning u subject OF which l
had intended writing you before. l have
reference to the "source whence the
Sioux obtained their arms and ammuni-
tion." The officers stationed along the
upper Missouri knew VI the illegal trad
ing carried on at Fort Peck, but were
powerless, md had no authority to inter-
fere. Since 1872 some parties had
stationed themselves at the above named
fort for the purpose OF obtaining the
monopoly in bartering with the Sioux,
and tho only inducement to bring their
customers forward was the offer Of arms
Winchester rifles. The Indians, be-
ing only too anxious to secure these, ex-
changed all the buffalo robes and pelts
collected during their hunting excur-
sionS, took them to Fort Peck, and re-
ceived their arms, though paying dearly
for them. The price usually paid for q
rifle was 800 robes, an equivalent Of
s., 400; thus the firm sent down the river
70, 1000 buffalo robes, besides other skins
and pelts, as the result OF one seasons
traffic. Now, these very Indians we're
registered ut Grand River agency,
now Mt Standing Rock, where they
should have taken their goods, but
being limited to certain varieties of
trinkets, etc., they preferred going
north. Colonel J. G. O'ConnCr, who
was agent d,tring 1872 and 1878, was
ordered to prohibit the sale OF ammuni
ton upon his reservation, limiting the
trader, however, TO tho sale of two
pounds OF lead and powder each per
week to such Indians only who had
showed themselves friendly. This was
intended to lessen the number of
narauding expeditions, which it did for
short time, but finally some of the
moro daring of tho semi.hostile and
hostile Sioux came to the agents quar-
tiers md told us "there was no use in
Uncle Sam keeping up that agency ;
that il the troops aud other parties were
removed they could live upon tho game
which our presence kept away from the
river, and that they could get all tho
arms and ammunition they wanted, as
they did not care for our handful of tho
Great Fathers's powder and lead"
At the closing Of this haranguc Gall
(who made the address, and who is one
Of Sitting Bulls chief cutthroats) ad.
vanccd, threw back his blanket and
showed two sears, saying "This makes
me- angry at the white men," His body
had been pierced by two bayonets in
the fight with General Sully, passing
clean through the shoulder blades, show.
ing his physical endurance, Us he
crawled into his own camp the night he
was wounded, distance Of about four
miles. These troubles were expected
five years ago, and we Ind only to wait
until all tho warriors were amply sup
Piled. That time has come, ms We all
know. Grand River was to supply 49,
500 redskins, 5000 Of which awaited
themselves Of the aunities and weekly
rations the remaining $500 kept away
aud were considered hostile. It was
supposed that this number, in all, could
muster from 1000 to 5000 men uud
grown boys. The result OF the illegal
agency on the upper Missouri was TINT.
instead OF having all the Indians under
the Immediate control at Grand River,
they went north with their goods, tpd.
ing OF at the lower agency but 100 robes
to over IL, 900 ut Fort Peck.