New-York tribune., 1878-05-24
THE FLIGHT OF THE BANEOCKS.

THEY DECLARE THAT THEY WERE STARVED on
THEIR OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES BY UNITED STATES
WORCESTERSHIRE OF THE TRIBE FOR INsTEUC-
TON IN FARMING
FRoM An OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT or TIIE TRTEUSHJ
FORT ELLIS. VI. T., May SIN letter sent
from here April >, the information given that the
Bannock Indians under Ten Day had left their agency
at Lembi and marching along the Madison River
In search Of game The band pursued ifterward by
detachment Of the army under Captain Ball and per
suadcd to return 10 the agency. We VIII co. said Ten
Day, "f the soldiers Will go with us-but 1e shall not
remain at the agency unless we find our supplies on
hand"
81 guess they are there" urged Captain Ball, "the
agent has for you, and ho would hardly DO with
out good reason"
''The agent! That agent IL liar and thief! You will
hnd 1t SO, too, when you get there"
And true enough, investigation did, in grea, measure
support the prediction OF the Bannock chief. And
strong evidence that the settlers generally
so prone 10 condemn the Indan) ndorscd all he charged
against the agent and upheld the band in ts half rebel
lion Arriving at the agency a council was called and
then and there presence Of the agent him ELF the out
ragged Bannocks detailed their wrongs.
Said Ten Day: lie starves us We have no game.
He gives us part Of supplies and then lies 10 us
lie SAYS the Government raous al! gone, and then
makes us pay him money for things he claias rs his
own but which the Great Father scu TO us him
self Ask the white about here; they know 1t Is
No; we can't trust HAT man. We only get quart and
q half OF -four to the ration TO the lodge That would
starYe baby. We have not had meat issued for one
month at time. We are hungry as dogs II il poor
reservation The Great Father must feed us or let us
somewhere else. We want you to send letter TO The
Chief at St. Paul General Terry and the Chief at Chi
cago General sheridan We won't stay here"
count Of the band showed about 700 men,
women aud children, Of whom nearly hall
are children under fifteen years OF age. For
the support of this population the agent showed 1900
pounds OF -four with 5000 duc 300 pounds Of bacon
300 pounds Of coffee, $50 pounds OF sugar, and few
beans and little tea and tobacco All except the flour
and beef came from the East, and supplies
be expected except In the dim future. The Indians say
they do not get enough to eat, aud the neiglboring
settlers ndorse the pifu assertion. Again and gain
have they asked to be removed from mseraby iu-
adequate reservation only twelve miles square, wholly
destitute OF game ana almost 30 0i glass. Ibcy aIe
poOrly armed and, Captain Ball reports IN strong
language, should be permitted to move to some hunt
ing region. 70 add 10 the miserable condition
of friendly Indians shtraps havt been set in the
salmon supply upon which the Lembi band is de-
pendent THIS act mpeled General Brisbiu TO advise
the authorities TO pull up these fsh-raps by the
roots" During the council the agent seemed far
anxious spy out the intentions and instructions of
the troops whose coming he had opposed than thing
else, while Captain Ball came TO the decided conclusion
that the wrongs OF the Bannocks not only have been,
but are, great. Not only aid the Indians request
change Of reservation but location upon arabic land,
and an issue to them Of seeds ana farming
implements. and Il residence among them OF botn a
sclOOltcg cher and instructor in agriculture.
These Indians can be taught the arts Of peace thrv ask
TO be taught VIII the be heard the of
picking up Methodist or an EpscOpdian Catholic,
and creating nim agent merely because he IL denomi
nationalist, bo continued 10 the bitter end The Indians
wish Join the Crows and General Brisbn, convinced
that they wrOngcd has this day advised the Govern
uent To grant the request ana TO give him immediate
permission 10 remove them, bag and baggage, TO the
reservation of their allies, the friendly Crows By this
means danger Of an outbreak will be avoided ana the
useless expense OF a useless agency be cut of. The
troops now called of from the Sioux frontier protect
friendly Indians In their legal pursuit Of what the
cnmen has prOmised them, will also be enabled 10 re-
turn TO their legitimate duty. dispatch has Just been
received to the effect that messenger from Sitting Bull
has reached General Miles with proposition Tor his
surrender and treaty providing for the peaccabe re-
turn of the refugee Indians from the Dominion Amer-
can territory The reports sent regarding the desire
the fugitive Sez PCrces To return receive matiOn
in various ways 1t be effected by little manage
mcnt.