The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1878-05-31
THE INDIAN FRONTIER.
Disaffected Baanacks Move Out
of Their Reservation.
The Seventh Infantry-Iu Brilliant
Record.

Great anxiety is felt throughout Mon
tana about the Bannack Indians, who
threaten to become hostile. Early last
fall a considerable body of these Indi-
ans left their reservation, in Southern
Montana, and declared they never
would return to it as long as their pres
ent agent remained at the agency.
The Bannacks were led by the
hereditary chief Tin boy, and retired
to the mountains, to the great terror Of
the citizens Of Beaverhead Valley, Mon
tana, who live adjacent to these Indi-
ans. The citizens built a strong fort
in which to put their women and child
rem in case Of an attack. and remained
in a state Of alarm throughout the
winter. The agent, for some reason
or other, did not report the condition
Of affairs at his agency to the military
authorities, and they knew nothing
about the matter.
An appeal was made to the command
ant at Fort Ellis, but all he could do
was to send runner to Tin Doy's camp
and threaten IL he disturbed the citi-
zens Of Beverhead that the whole power
Of the government would be used to
bring the bad Indians to punishment.
The moral power of the army seemed
to be sufficient to deter the Bannacks
from committing any overt act, for,
although they threatened, no stock was
stolen or white people killed.
A message was sent to Tin boy, tell
ing him he must go to Fl. Ellis. He
went. and was naughty and defiant,
asked what was wanted with him. The
commandant replied he had left his
agency without authority, alarmed the
people, and he must go back to the
reservation. Tin boy declared he had
no intention of disturbing the whites,
but said he would not return to his
agency. The situation was awkward,
and the petty chief, Bannack Jim, be-
coming alarmed, begged the command
ant for time to consider. The COM
mandant replied. he that would hear
Tin Dogs final answer for one hour,
and told the Indians they could retire.
A council was at once called, which
lasted nearly two hours, and was very
stormy. boy wished to hold out in his
determination not to go back to the
agency, but his wives, sons and Ban
mack Jim urged him to give in and fol-
low the advice Of the military.
Stalking into the presence Of the
commandant he offered his hand, say
Ing: 81 am ready to do what you COM
mand, but desire to state my wrongs
The commandant told him to speak out
and conceal nothing that troubled him
or his people. The chief then spoke
for nearly an hour, relating how he
and his people had been cheated and
robbed for years. The chief then re-
quested the commandant would send
one of his young men, IN officer, with
the Bannacks to their agency, and in
struct him to see that the agent be-
haved himself and gave them their
%annuities. This was promised, and the
chief and his followers departed appar-
emily well satisfied. Two companies Of
cavalry under Captain Ball, Second
cavalry, have been sent with Tin boy,
from Ellis, to escort him to his agency
and see that he remains there. The
troops will encamp for the summer on
the reservation.
Sergeant Bensinger, of the Seventh
United States Infantry, n of the
wounded heroes of the Big Horn battle
passed through this city a day or two
ago. The Seventh, although small in
numbers, is II famous organization,
having been first enlisted and Differed
in 1872. 1t bears upon its flag over 80
battles, among which are: Fort Har-
rison, 1912; Villers, 1914; New Or
leans, 1915; Fort King, 1910; Fort
Wahoo, 1912; Fort Brown, 1S46; Mon
terry, 1846; Cerro Gordo, 1s47; Contre-
ras and Cherubusco, 1S47; Chepultepec,
1s47; City of Mexico, 1s47; valverede,
1852; Corinth, 1852; Fredericksburg,
1862; Murfreesboro, 1862; Hoover's
Gap, 1868; Gettysburg, 1868; Chicka-
manga, 1868; Missionary Ridge, 1868;
Resaca, 1864; New Hope Church, 1864;
kenesaw Mountain, 1854; Neal Dow
Station, 1864; Peach Tree Creek, 1864;
Utoy Greek, 1864; Atlanta, 1864; Jones'
borough, 1864; Big Hole, 1877; The
Big Hole battle IA fought with Chief
Joseph and his Nez Perces, in August
last, and the regiment on that occasion
was led by Its well known colonel, Gen.
John Gibbon, who was a corps COM
mander in the Army of the Potomac
during the war.
DISTRICT COURT.