The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-18
STARTLING INDIAN FRAUDS.

INDIAN GOODS STOLEN By AN AGENT AND
SENT TO MS HoME--A REVEREND THIEF
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. AUTHORITIES INvEsrI-
eating THE AGENCIES
HELENA, May g. 1873
Some rich developments In regard 10 the manage
ment OF the Indian agencies in the Northwest arc
conf g light IL is said the military authorities
are in possession OF Of evidence which, when
made public, Will starte the country with the magn
tude OF the Indian frauds. Several oil tho most
friendly tribes OF Indians the eve OF becoming
hostile and most citizens believe, unless change IS
speedily made in the treatment OF our Indians, they
will 70 10 war. Military officers declare they do not
blame the Indians, and If they were in their place
they would fight 10 the bitter snd.
IL Will recoected that last fall Tin Doy, chief OF
the BaunocXs, packed up and left his agency at
Somhl declaring he never would return. The cause
OF tho old chei's dissatisfaction is MADE public
and shows state OF affairs to exist at scmhl which
might we'll make more moderate man than a say
age dissatisfied. Mr.. r. Ciough reputable citizen
OF Semhi, made a statement which, II true land
nobody seems 10 doubt III ought TO cause The agent oil
the Bannocks 70 DO Immediately arrested and sum
marlly dealt with. Mr. Clough says the Bannocks
had bad agent and last summer about the time the
Nez percds under Joseph passed through, they
nocks would Join Joseph, but they re-
manned loyal, saying the government had sent them
u new agent and their duty TO try him before
Ing COZ pailts resisting The governments au-
thorly. The agent was IA minister OF the Gospei
and apparently pious good man. He had only been
In power lew days, however, when the bump oil ac-
quisitvcnesS common TO all Indian agents became
painfully deveoped He establishod hotel or rainer,
SAID he did keep hotel, ana all strangers who
chanced TO that way and requested PERMISSION 10
stay night must pay tax OF II 30 Tor tho prve2c
r. an "a
tempted advise the agent; Dut he would not us
and plainly inumated that he would act as
he pleased. The chief Tin boy TOOK great dislike 70
agent perhaps account OF the manner Ia which
he treated tho old man and his people Whatever
may have boon the cause II WIS not long untii IN
boy lit is the same old thing under new
head. and, heretofore TO be swlnded out oI
ghtfuy belongs TO us. Calling his people To-
getner lin Doy told them TO pack up anu IN hish IN.
oignation left the agency The tribe was IN AN almost
destitute condition when he got 70 Bannock ana 'he
people, taxing pity them, supplied their wants.
TIN boy very grateful and told the citizens tLey
give themselves no uneasness on his accodnt or
although he Was very angry with The agent and despiseu
him he respected the white people ana would not
allow any harm TO be done TO them ny his followers
Many persons believed the old chie but Others be.
came alarmed, ana the citizens oil Beavcrhead valley,
the most exposed settlement, built IA strong tort "
put their women children INTO in case OF trouble
a petition circulated ami numerousiy signed ask
military protection, but when ~ was presented
IN the accent be refused TO sign IT, saying nc did
want soldiers. The citizens then enrolled themselves
u military company, scnt Tor arms and ANN unitoa
ana awaited developments Most Of the citizens nau
ever agent.
Soon after the events narrated took place tho
agency goods for the Indians arrived, being hauled
overland from CorriDne 800 miles on wagons. When
the teams about to return to the railroad Tho
agent shipped by them large b0x I'd 'ressed 10 his
me at Whitewater Wis Waite camping near
Semhi Junction the box observed but not exam
OF an cmploye OF the agents and tho man said u
contained SKINS anu furs. While on ITS way 10 The
railroad the lid OF the box became displaced and 1t
10 contain Indian goods. The freiehiers re-
ported the matter TO a gentleman from Seuhl VINO
was travelling with them. He made an examination
OF the box and the following Is his inventory Of IT'S
contents:-
Twelve pieces prints. one piece red indian cloth one
piece scarlet flannel, one piece blue hannei one piece
shee three pieces gingham nvs spoois cotton,
one 6les three bu,cuer's knives lot q needles.
socas lot yeast POWDER of liuon thread lot OF
several pairs OF blankets. marked ~ >, Indian
The clzcns Of Semhi whom they heard about the
box, called on the agent 10 explain the matter. he
dad not deny shipping the box as per invoice,
but informed Tue citizens the government
allowed HIM 10 appropriate such goods
as he desired his win the Understanding
that he mas 10 charge himself With them, and that
had done The ctizens replied they were not
familiar with the rules aud regulations governing Inc
lIuian department, but supposed tho goods were
shppod tho agency for the purpose Of being disr
buled to the Indians Que man snid he ~as como
what ZANZIBAR with the rates Oi freight and coalu hot
SEQ yeast powdered could DC paid for al original
cost and snippcd from Montana TO Wisconsin with
pront tho shipper. Mr. Uough concludes his tes-
iimony as fo,Iows:-"There VAS some trouble about
the beet contract at the agency, but | do not know
the nature OF the suU-coutIdCtoT was
told had quit furnishing beet ana the agent was kng
some stock catto belonging 20 the agency. have
stated nothing but what consider facts. ~ nave
any injustice lot them prove II 10 mo by asking
Tor an Investigation claim that II 10 not oay my
right and privilege, but my duty and right 70 protect
the interests Of the Indians. We all know these In
dams oug Int 10 have plenty as there Is peuty allowed
by the government for tnom, and II they do not re-
ce.ve IL the citizens oi the valley should to II
that Justice Is aopc them. Fraud and corruption III
the lnuian Department has become tho rule rather
tnan the exception. The Indians are
died, and the result IS that We AS
citizens arc made the sufferers II you wish Indian
testimony send Tor Major Jim, half snake and half
Bannock indian chief and he Will tell you all ABOUT
the misma cement of affairs the Scmni agency"
1t is reported that the military authorities Will
make thorough investigation Of the Lemni agents
aoings, ii things bad reported they Will
10 doubt arrest The reverend agent and tho guard
house VIII become his portion
Tin boy and his band have boon forced to return 10
their agency and two compares Of troops are now
guard them and that they do not leave IL.