Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1878-01-25
RED CLOUD INDIANS.
Sioux Cisy Journal.

SlOuA SisN 0oullldl.
T. G. Cowgirl, who has charge of John
Hornick's trading store at New Red Cloud
arrived here yesterday after an ab-
sence since December 10, on a purchasing
expedition, and he is circulating among our
trade which shows how valuable to US is
the fact that the new agencies have been
located on the Missouri. He left Red Cloud
last Saturday, and arrived here in advance
of a letter he had written four days before,
which shows either rapid transit on his
part, or slow coaching for the letter. Be-
fore he left the agency, word had been re-
ceived here that 200 lodges, or about 1,4OO
Indians belonging to northern tribes had
pulled out the Thursday before from the
camp, and the presumption is that they have
gone OFT to the northern agencies, and there
is nothing to prevent them from taking the
war-path in the spring, or sooner if they
like. 1t is believed that they are provided
with arms ADD ammunition. A large num-
Der have also stolen away from Spotted Tail
agency.
The camp is situated 60 miles from the
agency, on White river, and there are now
there between 5000 and 5000 Indians who
are seen at the agency only when they pre-
sent themselves for supplies. The cattle
issued to them are driven out to the camp,
the contractors being Messre. Bosler e. Co.,
who furnish beef to Indians at eleven differ
ent agencies on the Missouri, the majority
being located at the agencies presided over
by Spotted Tail and Red Cloud. Their con-
tract runs for one year, and has been renew
ed every July for seven years past. They
purvey to twenty odd thousand Indians, and
the number of cattle furnished yearly is
$4,000 head, or about 100000 o ponds.
They buy the cattle from Texas drovers,
and turn them over alive to the Indian
agents, and by them they are apportioned
to the head of each little squad, or band.
This issue is made once in every ten days.
An Indian, for example, represents fifty
men, women and children, and he draws
fifteen, twenty or thirty head of cattle, as
the case may be. The cattle are driven
outside the camp and shot by the bucks,
after which the squaws turn to and skin and
dress the animals.
DR.. Irwin, the agent at Red Cloud, has
two companies of cavalry as a force to pres
erve peace, and at the time Mr.. Cowgirl left,
everything was serene there and at the other
agencies 30 far as he could learn. There
are also at the agency the usual employees
of the government, and the stores with their
At the camp the force consists of
a sort Of home-guard comprising now Is
Indians, who are paid Is private soldiers,
under the charge Of one of their number as
The force formerly numbered $50,
but they were all mustered out, and then SO
were enlisted again and nov orders have
been issued for Is more to be takeu into
These guard. we're enlisted by per-
mission Of Gems. Sheridan and Crook, and
they have rendered valuable services in
policing the camps, and assisting in putting
down small instructions. They have taken
some pride in their organization, and look
forward to payday with intense eagerneas
A short time ago they were paid of, sad
they Immediately broke from the camp TO
the agency and a. soon a. they could se4 to
. store they proceeded 10 invest their money
in such articles a. struck their fancy, max
ing busines. very lively As long a. their
funds lasted.