The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1877-08-02
CORRESPONDENCE.
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON. ID. c., July lIth, IS7


WASHINGTON, ID. C., July lIth, 1877.
Ed. CHIEF I'm 1875, if my memory serves me
right, in the month of December Kansas gentle
came to this city in the interest of his neighbors
settlers well personal interest directly per-
tanning, involving, title to q tract of land upon
which himself and family had lived several years.
He deputzed by said settlers to solicit Congress-
through our delegation, to authorize a re-appraise-
ment of certain Indian lands in Kansas, which had
some years before, been appraised enormously high
and therefore beyond the reach of the settlers to
chase Another lugubrious, lurchy, shifty political
genius well known in the State, presumed to divide
the bonors with him delegate, whether legti-
mately not, 1 am not advised. The first shall
designate by the real initials of his name, j. d.
who will be readily known old resident of Nor
ris County, Kansas So far my information ex-
tends he is very worthy, respectable farmer of ir
reproachable character. The worst possible charge
know against him is, that he a member of the
Kansas Legislature twice. Mr.. j. ID. had purchased
the land occupied by himself many years ago, of an
Indian chief, paying q round price for it. The old
Indian satisfied with his bargain then, and has
been since. j. ID. simply wanted the amount which
he had paid to the chief credited on the final pay
ment which satisfactory to the Indian, and moth
ing but justice. As understand it, he failed in this,
though the unctuous Senator assured him of hercule
efforts in his behalf But to the settlers interest
and ]. DIS final calamity, bill introduced in the
House, and through the efforts of Col. Phillips and
GOOdn it passed that body, authorizing re-appraise
ment of the Kaw Indian lands, soon after J. D.
rived here. 1t then went to the Senate, and there it
laid until almost f,rgotten by the settlers, indie
fatigable agent J. ID. found out that something
was wrong, and that little "ring- was formed to
quash the bill in the Senate. In letter to the Tope
ka Times, April 18th, 1876, said Ihe bill for the
reappraisement of the Kaw lands having passed the
House. seems to be lodged in the Senate. There was
effort made to squeeze the settlers the lands to
the tune of 50 per cent the reductions made but
hope the scheme has been abandoned Iintimated
to certain party that, should the 'rng" persist in
blockadng the bill in the Senate, would give names
and data showing who were scotching, and for what
purpose The bill did not, however, pass until near
the heel of the session, and then with miserable lit
lie rider proviso which defeated its practical good.
Just at this point, it is proper to relate, begins to
loom up the dramatica part Of the seaRee, for the
curtain rises. Senator Ingalls, was a member of the
Indian Committee, and this bill in charge of this
Committee. J. d. was urging him cautiously to call
it up. The Senator nerrously anxious to do it,
or have it done, but insurmountablc difficulties al
ways interfered. Tomorrow, tomorrow, and to.mor-
row. always cleaned like desert mirage. Weeks
and months passed. and no action taken. j. ID. COM
planned to me of being kept here at great expense,
when he thought it unnecessary, when he was told
it could be put its passage at once, Mr. Ingalls,
would take any interest in ii. He said to me, he
could scarcely think Mr.. Ingalls, would trife with
him. and, especially, with the settlers the Kaw
lands.
l suggested to him how he might prove the Sena-
tors sincerity insincerity, and that through mem
bers of the Indian Committee, who knew exactly Mr.
Ingalls, status. member was seen, and the case
submitted He was much surprised, and pronoune
ed the treatment of j. d. ian nereusable outuge-to
keep q constituent here months at expense, when q
few days would do The Senator repeated, "it's
grand outrage; an outrage sir, and no excuse can
explain it away at the time slappng his hand
on his knee with emphasis He had remembrance
that the bill had been mentioned in the Committee
by the Kansas Senator. j. DIS eyes were opened,
and stuck out like pumpkins on May pole. He saw
he was the dupe of misplaced confidence, and feel
ign seized him hard to overcome though he did not
dream that arrest and persecution laid in wait for
him because he had been deceived. He was q candi-
date for the Legislature understood be one and
something must be done to get rid of him-and it
was done. game was concocted to have him ar
rested, and accordingly, deputy U. s. Marshal of
Leavenworth, Kansas, dispatched to this city.
ostensbly ior the purpose 1he clerk OF the U. 5.
Court for Kansas was taking in the Centennial at
Philadelphia, and it seems it was necessary for the
Marshal to see him, to have the papers, or warrant
signed The Marshal was simply obeying orders,
and is not to blame Armed with the warrant the |
Marshal returned to this city, and arrested j. D. The
injured man informed me that he had done nothing
and that time, the great equalizer would prove it.
Time has proved it, for if am correctly informed
even the formalites of trial were not entered upon
The process of arresting this man must have cost
the Government two three hundred dollars, and |
my deliberate opinion is, that it brought about
by the Senator from Atchison. If an upright and |
honorable citizen of Kansas, seeking his property
rights as well the rights of others, in straight |
business manner, cannot seek such without being be-
trayed and outraged by those who are obligated BY |
oath and common decency to aid him in obtaining,
then this boasted Republic is q most glaring fraud
This man was arrested in the Capital as a felon or /
murderer, and hustled of a culprit leaving the
impression that he is villain of the blackest hue
Life is too short and the English language too made
quate to express the atrocy of this single act Let
public judgment ponder this crownng enormity, as if