The weekly Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1872-1887, 1877-07-01

Indians in Northern Idaho is re-
ported rs caused by, and is directly
traccaulo to, the imprudcnt conduct Of
General Howard aud Indian Agent
AIonteith OF the Ncz Pcrces reservation.
They are probably dire lily responsible
for the present outbreak; but bad faith
on the part OF the Government i'll vio-
lating treaties, aud the conduct of lis
agents i'll their dealing with the Indians
through n long series of years, il the
primary cause Of the provocation which
has led to open hosiilitics. The early
emigration Of the whites WAS well
coined and Hospitality received by the
various tribes, which were then numer-
on, and powerful. They were generally
disposed 10 peace between each other.
but ase6 to combine themselves to
make wnr upon the tribes in tho buffalo
country cast Of the mountains, or
against tho tribes Of the region west Of
Cascades and Of the Lower Columbia.
There were the Yakimas, the CayuSes,
the PGlouscs, the KlikItats, tho Uma-
tilIus, the Wnlla Wnllas, the Nez Per-
ces, the Samkes, and father north nnd
east in the Upper Columbia region, the
Spokunes, the Cmur d'ATcncs, the Pen
d'Oreilles. the FlHthcals and the Kon-
tennys. OF MI these tribes tho Cuur
d'Alens were the most powerful, and it
was not Until they were brought under
the benign and civilizing influence Of
! the great "DlucS Gown" missionary,
Father dc Smct. and finally whipped by
tie late General Wright that they be-
came addicted to civilized life and have
pursued peaceful life. They defeated
Colonel Steptoe's command in 1858,
and were The Gamo year subdued by
Colonel Wright, whilst General Clark
was in command Of that Depart.
In the war of 1853, Captain Taylor
was among The first TO fall, nnd in it
were engaged several Of the officers who
in the cival war distinguished them
selves III either the Union or Confed-
crate service. From that time until the
Indian war i'll the Owyheo country,
which General Crook quellcd in 1868,
there has been peace with the Indians
Of that whole region. That peace would
yet he maintained were it not for the
conduct Of the Government during tho
past few years, is almost beyond doubt.
| As it WAS with the Modocs SO it is with
the ludinns Of Joseph's band. The
Government has not fnithfully or at all
observed its treaty obligations toward
them, and this is the main cause OF the
outbreak. Wallowa valley WAS assured
10 them by the treaty. 1t is in the pos
session Of Tie whites. It is q lich val
ley Of large area, on the west bank of
the Snake river in Union county, Ore
| gon. In 1914, tho Government author
izcI T. commission Of citizens Of Oregon
10 90 there and nppraiHc the value OF
The lands reduced to civiliLcd use by
the settlers AMI tho improvements upon
them, with tho view TO have them all
removed frcm tho valley so rs to re-.
store il to the Indians. The commis-
sion performed the appointed duty.
They reported u total OF nearly 100 set
tiers, md an GCgrc gate valuation of less
than 100000 for their lands and i'm.
PrGvcmcn!s. The payment of that COM
paralivoly small sum would have saiis-
fled the settlers and caused tho valley
to be rclinquished TO The Indians. Tho
Government did nothing either for the
settlers or the Indians, and over SINCE
there have been trouble and threats Of
outbreak. At length the war has been
prccipiiNicd, and already morc than
tho value Of tho lands five
times OYer has been spent by the Gov
eminent 10 overcome the defiant hos
tilCs, without apparent effect. willie tho
loss to The settlers are still greater, and
that Of life irrcparnblo. ual tho dow
Ornmcnt carried ont The design Of 1861, ,
improvements. and secured To tn. In.
dinns tho possession Of tlir valley, or
clsC compensated the Indians for their
| deprivation oi the lands OF their faith.
cTs, there wGuld now I've no Indian war
| in Nurthcun Idaho. There is good
cause 10 believe that il will be fOrmid.
able nnd prolonged war.
Joseph is q war chief and rs bravo M
n lion. lilo is "wild Indian" nnd
scoins to become civilized. IIo il fol.
lower Of lmnhallh, tho "Drcnn,cr. "
who is II sort Of Indian Mahonot, md
his brief but alarminsly comprehensive
doctrine IL founded upon the Bible rec.
ord OF Gideon nud hig chosen band OF
3Od to redeem bis whole people from
the Midiauits wiiitos. I!nuhnlln do.
spsca tho peaceful Ncz pcrccs. lie
docs not speak their dialect. H. does
not allow them 10 know his. IIc ii Fl
WGllH Walla Of tho Priests Hapid.
tribe, aud refuses 10 associate or hnvc
communication with civilized Indinns
with any one who have dealings and
| friendship for tho whitcs. M,
doctrine III u destroying one.
TO CHtcrrinato tho rairfacc,
and TO return Tho whole count,
to the Indians. Ilo hna n most IN