The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1878-03-22

CO411 III Lts lloliI5 " iis1AiSA tJ ~ "
advise the commander ola district to talk
proper steps TO protect an exposed and de
fenceIess community is capable Of garblins
news and has published false dispatches
Its a fact that "Benton" in full col
umn of d daily newspaper has not attempt
ed to deny that the Indian news published
in the RECORD was true, nor for a moment
dwelt upon the fact that his admissions
were exactly what had been termed by him
Sensational" On the contrary, he admits
the precise situation that ha appears to
prove as Incorrect, and instead Of helping
Gen. Gibbon, at the expense Of the Re-
CORD, out Of what he ("Benton") considers
bad box, he places that officer in the
precise position that the sensational In
dian news had heretofore placed him. Not
only that, but he reflects upon the com
nanding officer at Fort Benton, and in-
directly insinuate5 againstan officer who,
for portion of the time during which this
Indian news was being circulated, was
within a days journey of the camps of the
hostile Sioux and Nez Perces. This is ap-
parent and needs no argumentto complete
its connection with the libel upon the peo-
pie Of this town. "BentoD," himself ex-
poses the entire situation in the following
words: "Gen. Miles once started, thinking
the time had come, and it appears the In-
dians were moving" What more is re
quired to prove that the movements of the
Indians were truly represented in the Re-
CORD, which journal, if | understand it,
published the fact that the Indians were
moving, and later that they had crossed
the boundary line and had camped on
American soil. This can now be sup
plemented with the fact that the hostiles
are still on the American side, and in all
probability will remain there until the
spring grass allures them to the destruc-
ton Of the progress of our country.
The people of this town are charged by
"Benton" with having circulated and en-
dorsed the circulation of sensational news
and garbIed statements Of facts, yet no
one iota OF evidence by way Of facts are
presented to sustain this charge; on the
contrary, the very writer who advances
this complaint admits distinctly and clear
y that such was not true, and that good
and justifable grounds existed for beley-
ing that this section Of Montana was in
danger Of being invaded by Indians and
that the utmost protection was needed to
enforce the security Of life and property.
The writer, "Benton, softly asserts that
the people Of this town have no occasion
to feel dispIeased at the actions Of General
Gibbon, asIdistrict commander, and gently
insinuates that the General has done all
that vas possible for him to do towards
properly protecting this frontier town. The
only suitable reply to this is the fact that
The military force at this post consists Of a
Major and four or five soldiers, while the
greater part Of two regiments Of Infantry
ire stationed at Helena and Fort Shaw.
This is significant It may be. however,
bat Benton" is right, and that the dis
rict commanders better able to determine
be necessity Of military protection than
re the people Of this section; but it is
Yident that if such is the case, General
Gibbons senior officer, General Terry, is
aboring under the same delqsion in that
aspect as are the people Of Benton. With
Il respect to Gen. Gibbon, we here doubt
nat the department commander fails in !
is appreciation Of the necessity or further
lilitary protection for this town and vicin-
J, and consequently that the suggestion ]
Gen. Terry that more troops were need
at Fort Benton and should be sent
lere, was in our opinion disregarded from !,
her motives than superior military ideas.
Benton can show US the why and where ]
re Of this, to the justification Of General
ibbon, it is right and just that he should :
} 50, but until then it would prove more j
accordance with the circumstances to
frain from gushing expressions Of deyot J
N On behalf Of the people Of Ft. Benton, I
one who has never shown himself to be
tnated with friendly feelings 10 this J
Tn. Facts are stubborn things and all :
! blarney Of "Benton" cannot eface :
IN. +,
JOHN W..TATTAN.
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