The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-07-19

eame eyery day source Of greater trou-
bic, and those who watched affairs there |
were not much surprised when the recent
outbreak occurred. In 1874, the govern
ment authorized commission composed
OF citizens of Oregon to proceed 10 the
place and appraise the value of the lands
reduced 70 civilized use by the settlers,
and the improvements upon them, with
the view of having them all removed
from the valley 40 as to restore il to the
indians. The commission performed the
appointed duty. They reported total
of nearly 100 settlers and an aggregate
valuation CT less than 100000 for their
lands and improvements. No action was
taken on this report The settlers re-
mained, and the Indians proceeded to
open threats against those they considered
lawless intruders. I.
Last year one Of Joseph's band was
killed in the valley by o white man, and
after that it became only matter Of
time and opportunity for the commcpce.
ment Of hostilities. The tribo took the
violent death of this Indian very much
to heart, and although the chief dis
claimed any intention Of resorting TO re-
taliation, it was we'll understooL he cher
ished a design of revenge. The commits
sion sent lest fall, with General Howard
at its head, TO arrange all the difficulties
on the basis Of MI abandonment Of all
Joseph's claims to the valley, was fail
urc. The non.treaty Ncz Perces stood
on their acknowledged right to the lands,
insisted on the retirement Of the settlers,
! and fatty declared they would not go on
reservation. In all this business the
| government has not been properly repre-
sented by its agents. There has been bad
faith toward the Indians. The payment
Of the comparatively small sum men,
i tio.,.'. above would have satisfied the
settlers, who would have relinquished the
valley to the Indians Had the govern
mcnt carried out the design of 1874, paid
the occupants for their crops and i'm
proycments, and secured Joseph in the
possession of the land he rgh.fully owns,
| tho present serious trouble would not
have taken place. The amount of money
already spent IN the transportation of
troops 20 Salmon River and the further
outlays that will be necessary to suppress
the outbreak will be many times in ex-
cess Of $4,000 not to speak of the wide.
spread ruin and destruction Of farms and
settlements and the heavy loss of life,
which is irreparablc.
| The present war threatens to be of fur
greater magnitude than that of the Mo-
docs in 1873. Captain Jack had linn
tied field Of operations5 Joseph has an
almost boundlcss area. The Modocs
were obliged to hide in the lava beds and
husband their resources carefully; the
non-troaty Nez Perces can freely roam
over vast exparso, knowing every inch
of the ground, and can capture supplies
ss they require them. 1t was only rcqui-
site 70 completely surround the Modocs
and force them by hunger to surrender !;
the present outbreak in Idaho is entirely
different. And, as has been remarked,
while tho Modocs were but handful and
hopeless of aid, these savagcs are already
numerous and have success over body
of regular troops and citizens. They are,
besides, animated with religious or
superstitious idea that they have the
power to rid their country on this occa-
sion once and forever of pale faces, and
in military circles it is believed that un-
less tho hostles are speedily vanquishcd,
every day will bring to them. over their
broad field of war, allies and warriors
from other tribes, and all the renegade
sayages will hasten to join them.